norton news (long)

worntorn said:
He's owned and ridden Commandos over the years, but found this new bike to be quite a bit beyond that kind of power level. So it should be 961cc plus lots of Keeny Dreer's ideas in there.

The Dreer 880s showed 67 to 70 RWHP on the dyno according to Kenny. I think the 961 has another 10 or so.
Our Commandos in stock form, and here it doesn't matter much which model you choose, might hit 50RWHP if in perfect tune at sea level.

Again, according to Dreer, the dyno he used for the 880s was also used for a lot of stock bikes that he restored. None of those ever broke 50 rwhp.

I think Dyno Dave had similar results , recently, wasn't 49 the top number?

Glen
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just saying an 70s commando feels/is quicker than a new twin triumph in stock form (50hp + less weight +restrictions)
 
that's good to know, I like it when my old bike can outdo a new bike!

There are getting to be fewer and fewer that I can keep up with however. Got passed in the Monashee Mountains on a long straight by two crotch rockets, the must have been doing 150 mph, I damn near fell off my bike,me going about 10 over the legal speed of 60 mph at the time, on the Vincent.
Caught up to them in the twisties tho . Point of honour they couldn't let me by but point of honour I made them ride way harder than they wanted!
Had Coffee with them in Enderby and they seemed quite relieved to be off their bikes and out of the Mountains. They were more than a little shocked that the Black thing on their tails was built in 1947.

Glen
 
Caught up to them in the twisties tho . Point of honour they couldn't let me by but point of honour I made them ride way harder than they wanted!
Had Coffee with them in Enderby and they seemed quite relieved to be off their bikes and out of the Mountains. They were more than a little shocked that the Black thing on their tails was built in 1947.
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Glen this is routine occurrence to me in the Ozarks, but I've been on both types of saddled bikes, so a firm rule is I never ever press anyone, even though its so easy on my Peel hot rod handler. I remember one event w/o me involved, of a '78 yellow Ducati pulling in as I walked up to gander at it then a bit later his buddy pulled in on late model sport 600, all chewed up on RH side = his first words out How Can that old thing Go Around Corners So Fast. Another event that happens in Ozarks is a hand ful of single Supermotard bike rolling and get off and we speak a bit before their buddies on modern sports bikes finally catch up.


If the New Norton has the big torque character and handling down then its a winner and will survive because its so much more fun to ride even if not able to enter hi orbit speeds over 130 in the long straights.

I can only assume the issues of new Norton are not a fraud just hard times to get up to speed to porduce. Time will tell so stay alive to find out.
 
mikegray660 said:
worntorn said:
According to my friend the horsepower numbers dont tell the whole story. He says the bike feels like it has endless power, handles like a dream.
And he rides a new Bonneville which is supposed to be a pretty decent bike.

Glen
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got news - if he rode a well set up 70's 750 norton (or even an 850) he'd still think the same thing - the new triumphs twins are nice bikes they aren't REAL SPEED DEMONS - they only push out about 60 hp
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I've got a Thruxton and on a track day I can hit the rev limiter in top.( and all the other gears )...the guy on the 1000 GT Ducati I passed later on the corner said I was doing about 200 kmph ( I had my speedo taped) The front forks are pretty soft but the rear shocks are good now that they are IKONS.......
Saying that...its now for sale as to make it go or handle any better would cost more $$$$ and I'd rather play with the older bikes.
Can't say I'd be keen to thrash the Commando the same way.....clutchless changes up when the limiter kicks in a 7000 RPM... :roll:
The new Norton is nothing like a Triumph.....more in common with a Ducati Sports Classic build wise.or even price wise..thats my tuppence worth
 
Finally saw it in person at the the IMS New York on Saturday.Got to sit on it and noticed its narrow.exhausts look like they'll scrape easily.Seems they redesigned the gear shifter from the original design too.Dont like the flyscreen but its not on every model.Rep said bike should be in showrooms after spring early Summer this year. Everyone I met said it was one of their favorite bikes at the show.
norton news (long)

norton news (long)

norton news (long)
 
worntorn said:
According to my friend the horsepower numbers dont tell the whole story. He says the bike feels like it has endless power, handles like a dream.
And he rides a new Bonneville which is supposed to be a pretty decent bike.

Glen
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The 961 Commando needs to compare to machines such as Ducati Monster and Triumph Speed Triple if it's going to sell at the prices asked.
 
illf8ed said:
worntorn said:
According to my friend the horsepower numbers dont tell the whole story. He says the bike feels like it has endless power, handles like a dream.
And he rides a new Bonneville which is supposed to be a pretty decent bike.

Glen
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The 961 Commando needs to compare to machines such as Ducati Monster and Triumph Speed Triple if it's going to sell at the prices asked.
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At the volumes that the Commando will be produced it doesn't really have to worry about competition. People will buy the bike because it's a Norton and it's a new Norton. Not because it's a Ducati or Triumph.
 
Hey, thanks for the pictures of the new Norton!

I think it is gorgeous.

I want one, bad.

I won't sell my 73 850, but I would sell my Honda ST1300 to raise some of the cash.

Looks like it is really put together beautifully, and with the reported power and handling it is a real winner!
 
That linkage indeed does not look to work well. Looks like an afterthought. Only time and miles will tell.
 
ludwig said:
mikegray660 said:
..just saying an 70s commando feels/is quicker than a new twin triumph in stock form (50hp + less weight +restrictions)
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I regularly travel together with my brother who has a modern Bonneville ( with some performance mods ) and occasionally with his son on a Truxton . Altough we do not race each other , both have no problem admitting that the Norton seems faster ..


norton news (long)
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Ludwig with your Ultra-lite commando i would imagine its very much faster than a new triumph!
 
Where is the Kitchen Sink fitted , can see everthing else . :lol: :oops:
If they fit Commando Mufflers , Carbs and change the Cams , there situation may improve . :)
 
ludwig said:
He sold 9 or 10 , and delivered the 2nd one just yesterday .
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That's unpossible! There are still poor sods in Jolly Ol' who have put down millions in deposits and have never seen a bike!

:roll: :lol:
 
If they fit Commando Mufflers , Carbs and change the Cams , there situation may improve .
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Matt, what exactly is "wrong" with the cams, as you say they should be changed?

Have you personally ridden the new Commando, that must be the basis for your statement?
 
1up3down said:
If they fit Commando Mufflers , Carbs and change the Cams , there situation may improve .
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Matt, what exactly is "wrong" with the cams, as you say they should be changed?

Have you personally ridden the new Commando, that must be the basis for your statement?
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i think if you read the thread -or understand Matts stream of (un)consciousness thinking he was referring to improvements to the new triumphs
 
swooshdave said:
ludwig said:
He sold 9 or 10 , and delivered the 2nd one just yesterday .
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That's unpossible! There are still poor sods in Jolly Ol' who have put down millions in deposits and have never seen a bike!
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I think Norton are beginning to clear the backlog of orders at last.
 
1up3down said:
Ok, thanks Mike.


I thought Matt was referring to the new Commando, my mistake.
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No problem - you can't change the pipes/cams/etc on something that doesn't exist (in the case of the new commando - if you believe most of us here :shock: ) - its like try to put a saddle on a unicorn :mrgreen:
 
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