Would you buy one again

eskasteve

eskasteve

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Sep 24, 2012
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Given the initial cost of the new Commando plus the investment need to "get it right" would you buy the 961 again? Just wondering.
 
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eskasteve said:
Given the initial cost of the new Commando plus the investment need to "get it right" would you buy the 916 again? Just wondering.
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Considering the initial cost of the 961 and the effort and frustration required to “make it right”, yes I would do it again. Frankly, I think there is nothing else out there comparable to it.
 
Yep.
I have two.
A 2016 Commando sf and a 2016 Dominator Naked. Zero problems period. Love them.
 
I’ll answer the question in around 6 months time or so!

From reading this forum, it seems to me that the bikes are now more or less sorted. The fly in the ointment is the after sales service. Not really a problem for those of us living close to the factory, but for some of you guys in the US / Oz / etc, it must be damned frustrating at times!
 
Likewise Had some problems Seems to be sorted now and would/will buy another funds permitting
 
The lack of dealer support has been the hurdle for me. Now that I live in Arizona my nearest dealer in in California, 500 miles away. Last year when I still lived in Washington State I went to the Norton dealer there ready to write the check. The one bike that they had in stock didn't run and they had been waiting for almost a year for a new ECU unit. They have since relinquished their franchise. Not a good selling point to me. Maybe someday but at 65 years old I don't have a lot of somedays left.
 
I would again. The new bike will have all of the fixes done already. I would say get one.
 
Thanks for your honesty. Great response. Owner trials and tribulations remind me of my 1972 Combat Commando that I bought new. Blown head gasket at 2,000 miles, transmission at 5,000, main bearings and total lower end at 10,000, dropped exhaust valve at around 12,000, etc. Not a trouble free introduction to British bikes but you couldn't have pried that bike away from me. It's was like being married to a hooker. Lots and lots of issues but when you're in the saddle and going for a ride there's absolutely nothing better.
 
eskasteve said:
Given the initial cost of the new Commando plus the investment need to "get it right" would you buy the 961 again? Just wondering.
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I need to be honest here. I am STILL very much in love with the cosmetics of my 961. But the potential for issues that everyone reports here continue to make me very squeamish. The relatively few dealership screw ups I suffered from would make one think I'd be more positive compared to some owners. But I am not. In hindsight I almost wish I had invested a small fraction of the money I spent on my 961 into my 1975 850 Commando Mk3 instead.
 
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I, and so many others, followed the trials and tribulations of the early 961's. I waited with hard earned cash in hand and fingers in ears for the Mk11 and pounced like a coiled spring. I have now covered 8000 trouble free miles. Had the silly and unnecessary need to get it remapped because of idling issues but she now runs fine. I've fitted all of Richards up grades just for the hell of it and it has made a difference but none were essential to the overall enjoyment of the bike, its just what like minded British bike owners have done for years. If I had wanted another super smooth mega reliable bike I could have bought a Japanese machine as I've had several of those over the years and still use a R1200RT. I also owned an 850 1977 commando along with a 72 combat and must of over the years of ownership thrown close on the price I paid for my 961 at them. I loved them to bits but believe me they can be a frustrating money pit. I sold them to help fund, and make room, for the 961 purchase. I never get weary of looking at it. It rides and handles a dream. Its light and simple to service/maintain and has enough power to make an old man smile. I'm 63 now and down to my 961 and a R1200RT I use to tour on. The 961 grows on you. I loved it the day I bought it and like so many others will keep it till the end. Enjoy.
 
eskasteve said:
The lack of dealer support has been the hurdle for me. Now that I live in Arizona my nearest dealer in in California, 500 miles away. Last year when I still lived in Washington State I went to the Norton dealer there ready to write the check. The one bike that they had in stock didn't run and they had been waiting for almost a year for a new ECU unit. They have since relinquished their franchise. Not a good selling point to me. Maybe someday but at 65 years old I don't have a lot of somedays left.
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Try the guys in California...... they can give you the most up to date info on the Norton brand as they converse with UK on a regular basis.
 
byjefsm said:
Try the guys in California...... they can give you the most up to date info on the Norton brand as they converse with UK on a regular basis.
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Too late now. I took the 20K that I had put aside for the 961 and purchased a new touring bike. Maybe next year if the money and the desire are there. I'll watch what the factory does and see if a dealership ends up in the Phoenix area. If Norton isn't interested in supporting the 5th largest metro area in the country I will have a tough time supporting Norton. 500 miles to my nearest dealership is too far. Thanks for the recommendation.
 
That’s what I did last year, went back and forth thinking about a 961 and then went and bought a BMW R nine T instead!

The BM is a great bike, but the 961 itch just wouldn’t go away. So when Norton came up with the aniversary offer, it tipped me over the edge!

I was also motivated by folk on here. As good as the BM is, it doesn’t ‘make’ me want to ride it. Due to that and limited spare time, I only did 600 miles on it in 12 months... meanwhile folk like BLIGHTYBRIT put 6000 miles on their Norton’s. Kinda ironic really.

I really should sell the BM for space and finance reasons. But I think I might hang on to it until the 961 has proved itself.

However... I fully sympathise with your situation if your nearest dealer is 500 miles away. If that were the case for me, I don’t think I’d have done it.

I hope Norton take this US and Aus dealership situation seriously, it must be holding back sales a lot.
 
I was looking on line for a classic Norton and stumbled on to a '14 961 sport with 259 miles. Great price. I thought, what the hell, and drove 500 miles to get it. I really love the scoot and have learned a great deal from this group. Found CNW and started the upgrades with Richard's guidence. I have five other bikes but there's something about having a Norton. I'd be suprised if there's another 961 in my state. I constantly have people roll down their windows while stopped at traffic lights and praise the bike. Glad I bought it. It fun to be cool!
 
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