Which 961?

Simmoto

Simmoto

Joined
Oct 27, 2024
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Hi All,
Thanks for accepting me on the Forum, I’ve had a couple of old Nortons, including the Commando in my avatar and after nearly buying a 961 several times I’m now nearly buying one again 😂

I’m stuck right now on buying new TVS Solihull bike or a used Garner era model. If I could find a well sorted older bike at the right price I’d grab it but they all seem to be with dealers and have crazy low mileages and little or no history that make me think there’s some fundamental problem with them? I can wield a spanner but one of the attractions of a 961 is it’s reliability compared to a machine from the 1970’s.

I’d like a bike that can tour and it’s great to see plenty of bikes on here with panniers and bags piled on, even if accessories might need to be made to fit.

What would you do buy a super low mileage used bike for £9K with little or no history or a new one for £13500?

Appreciate your thoughts
Cheers
 
If you watch the used ones that are for sale here in the U.K. they really aren’t selling very well at all. That means that if you’re pushy you could most likely get one for a LOT less than they’re being advertised for, which is already quite low.

If you’re not familiar, there is a gent by the name of Stu Bodicote who runs a company called Motorvated. Stu is an ex Norton employee who has a reputation second to none for turning 961s into sweet running and reliable bikes.

So, whilst a new one with warranty has a lot going for it, chances are you’d have a better bike for a lot less money by buying a used one and sending it to Stu.
 
I guess
Simmoto said:
..... one of the attractions of a 961 is it’s reliability compared to a machine from the 1970’s.
Click to expand...
You may be laboring under a misapprehension to believe that the 961 will be more reliable than a well setup/looked after 750/850.
At least a Donington 961. These machine have quirks and issues as well.
And the Solihull folks so far don't have a good reputation for supporting the Garner Era Machines (GEMs).
OMG, are we going to refer to Donington 961s as GEMs???????:rolleyes:
 
BritTwit said:
I guess

You may be laboring under a misapprehension to believe that the 961 will be more reliable than a well setup/looked after 750/850.
At least a Donington 961. These machine have quirks and issues as well.
And the Solihull folks so far don't have a good reputation for supporting the Garner Era Machines (GEMs).
OMG, are we going to refer to Donington 961s as GEMs???????:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Yes I nearly asked that question in my original post maybe a good 850 would be a better bet, I sold my 750 high compression combat not due to reliability but because I could no longer kick it over. I guess that I thought (maybe wrongly) the 961 would be less likely to cost big sums, and well sorted 850s w electric boot seem thin on the ground. I guess the jury is out
 
it's just that if something breaks on my MK3 I can find a replacement part quickly, and usually from a choice of more than one supplier.
If I don't want to do the repair myself, I have a few shops who will gladly do it for me.
The situation in the UK may be different, but here in the US shops don't want to touch the 961.
 
Simmoto said:
Yes I nearly asked that question in my original post maybe a good 850 would be a better bet, I sold my 750 high compression combat not due to reliability but because I could no longer kick it over. I guess that I thought (maybe wrongly) the 961 would be less likely to cost big sums, and well sorted 850s w electric boot seem thin on the ground. I guess the jury is out
Click to expand...
Not trying to discourage you, I just think you need to know the straight story before looking for a suitable 961.
I love my 2013 CR, but honestly, I would be reluctant to take out on a long trip because of poor availability of parts, and service.
IMHO that's all.
 
Simmoto said:
Yes I nearly asked that question in my original post maybe a good 850 would be a better bet, I sold my 750 high compression combat not due to reliability but because I could no longer kick it over. I guess that I thought (maybe wrongly) the 961 would be less likely to cost big sums, and well sorted 850s w electric boot seem thin on the ground. I guess the jury is out
Click to expand...

I’ve had a ‘74 for nearly 12 years as a road and track day bike. It has NEVER let me down.

I’ve had a Seeley Commando bitsa on the track for 2 years. It has NEVER failed to start or finish.

I can get almost any part imaginable for these bikes, often next day.

As reliable, practical, usable classic bikes, the original Commandos take a helluva lot of beating…

But they’re a very different bike to the 961.

Maybe you should get wanuv each !?
 
Fast Eddie said:
I’ve had a ‘74 for nearly 12 years as a road and track day bike. It has NEVER let me down.

I’ve had a Seeley Commando bitsa on the track for 2 years. It has NEVER failed to start or finish.

I can get almost any part imaginable for these bikes, often next day.

As reliable, practical, usable classic bikes, the original Commandos take a helluva lot of beating…

But they’re a very different bike to the 961.

Maybe you should get wanuv each !?
Click to expand...
Thanks, that’d be great but a bit rich for me just now! 😂 I think if I go 961 it’s gonna be new from a dealer, there is one in Perth a couple of hours away so anything goes phffft I can take it back under warranty…and a TVS should have improved reliability out the box? But then £13500 buys a great 850 😂
 
Simmoto said:
Thanks, that’d be great but a bit rich for me just now! 😂 I think if I go 961 it’s gonna be new from a dealer, there is one in Perth a couple of hours away so anything goes phffft I can take it back under warranty…and a TVS should have improved reliability out the box? But then £13500 buys a great 850 😂
Click to expand...
Well, £13500 might buy you a great 850, then again it might just buy you a tarted up bag of nails! Unless you know the bike and seller, it’s always a bit of a crap shoot.

I can’t imagine where you could buy an 850 with a two year warranty !

And unless it’s rather highly modified, it won’t stay with a 961 on the road. And to build one that does, would cost you more than a new 961 !

When all said n done… a brand new 961, with warranty, has a lot going for it if that’s what tickles yer fancy.
 
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Don’t be to concerned bout buying a Donnington 961 ,here’s mine on its travels ,8500 miles in 10 weeks across America & Canada,last serviced 3 yrs ago by Stuart at 25,000 miles , done 33,000 now , no one’s touched it since , Dominators hold there money better , a well soughted older 961 can have a better spec also than the new ones .

Pics were on Historic Route 66 fully loaded & with my son on the back for 2,500 miles .
Which 961?
Which 961?
Which 961?
 
Simmoto said:
Hi All,
Thanks for accepting me on the Forum, I’ve had a couple of old Nortons, including the Commando in my avatar and after nearly buying a 961 several times I’m now nearly buying one again 😂

I’m stuck right now on buying new TVS Solihull bike or a used Garner era model. If I could find a well sorted older bike at the right price I’d grab it but they all seem to be with dealers and have crazy low mileages and little or no history that make me think there’s some fundamental problem with them? I can wield a spanner but one of the attractions of a 961 is it’s reliability compared to a machine from the 1970’s.

I’d like a bike that can tour and it’s great to see plenty of bikes on here with panniers and bags piled on, even if accessories might need to be made to fit.

What would you do buy a super low mileage used bike for £9K with little or no history or a new one for £13500?

Appreciate your thoughts
Cheers
Click to expand...
You should drive both a TVS 961 and a used Donington 961 . This could help you decide !
 
The Agony of choice , a donnington 961, a TVS 961 , or this 850 Commando from 1977 in a crate still , this I found a former norton dealer in the states , the other crates a bonneville,alas they were not for sale though
Which 961?
 
TonyA said:
You should drive both a TVS 961 and a used Donington 961 . This could help you decide !
Click to expand...
I may be wrong Tony, often am, but my guess is that they would be very similar to ride - especially if the GEM (thanks BT:rolleyes:) was wearing shorts and may have been fettled.

Blighty is amongst the very few to be seriously touring on a Donnie 961. It always struck me that due to their hand built nature, poor QC (and varying build states), there has always been a degree of ‘pot luck’ with the Donnie bikes whether you got a good’un or one likely to give you grief throughout its life. The impact on ownership of the latter being directly proportional to the owners ability with a spanner.

Less risk with a Solihull machine; with warranty, dealer and spares access I think. Noting that any effort needed to fettle the Donnie bike to reliability may cost (significant) money. In the end though, you’re getting the same machine - a riding/ownership experience well worth the price of admission whichever way ya go!

Maybe a riding comparison between a sorted 961 (old or new) and a sorted 850 (back to back) would be useful also.
 
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