Total numbers

[Chris955]

So with the 961 being dropped from the range . Do we have a definitive answer to how many wear actually made between the two companies or 3 if we count the American ones ?

 

[NorTriDuc]

So with the 961 being dropped from the range . Do we have a definitive answer to how many wear actually made between the two companies or 3 if we count the American ones ?

American ones?
There are no American made 961’s

 

[kommando]

Kenny Deer prototypes.

 

[BritTwit]

So with the 961 being dropped from the range . Do we have a definitive answer to how many wear actually made between the two companies or 3 if we count the American ones ?

Pick a number, any number.

 

[NorTriDuc]

Kenny Deer prototypes.

Those weren’t 961 or production bikes

 

[Chris955]

I thought Kenny Deer has sold a few . ?
So without his I wonder how many 961 are around?

 

[Lippo]

American ones?
There are no American made 961’s

Technically, that is correct. According to Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norton_961_Commando
Owner Kenny Dreer progressed from restoring and upgrading Norton Commandos to producing whole machines. He modernised the design and in the early 2000s went into production of the VR880. This machine was built on the basis of the original Commando, with upgraded components and a significantly modified engine.

Dreer produced 50 of these machines before deciding to build an all-new motorcycle. With funding from Oliver Curme, Dreer hired a small design and development team led by Paul Gaudio (Design and development director), Simon-Pierre Smith (Lead Engineer), and Patrick Leyshock (Testing, Sourcing.)

The 961 Commando never reached production in America due to lack of funding, and the company closed its doors in April 2006.

 

[Lippo]

Even Norton Owners Club in UK do not know how many Donington Nortons were produced. In 2016, an enquiry was made at the factory and unfortunately complete records of owners of 961's were not kept and indeed it would seem that with many of the early bikes the records are completely lost. So, it might be possible to get this kind of info from TVS of 961’s they built 2020-2025, but a definitive total may be impossible to achieve.

 

[BritTwit]

TVS/Norton did retain Simon Skinner from the Donington operation. If anyone would know how many Donington machines were built it would be him. Don't know if he is still with TVS though.

 

[NorTriDuc]

Technically, that is correct. According to Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norton_961_Commando
Owner Kenny Dreer progressed from restoring and upgrading Norton Commandos to producing whole machines. He modernised the design and in the early 2000s went into production of the VR880. This machine was built on the basis of the original Commando, with upgraded components and a significantly modified engine.

Dreer produced 50 of these machines before deciding to build an all-new motorcycle. With funding from Oliver Curme, Dreer hired a small design and development team led by Paul Gaudio (Design and development director), Simon-Pierre Smith (Lead Engineer), and Patrick Leyshock (Testing, Sourcing.)

The 961 Commando never reached production in America due to lack of funding, and the company closed its doors in April 2006.

Exactly. So no USA made 961’s

 

[Stephen_Spencer]

If we’re guessing 961 totals, which we are, mine would be:

- Roughly 2500 Donington bikes (based on our previous guesstimates - from memory), 30% in the UK.

- Rougly 2500 Solihull 961’s also, based on figures already floating around in conversation and by calculating figures on How Many Left + some extrapolation. 100% in UK.

So around 5000 all up, worldwide - 3250 in the UK.

…………….. and a SWAG (Scientific Wild-ass Guess) of course!

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

So who has the highest TVS Norton vin number ? Bought mine in June 24, VIN low 300s. By October last year I saw a couple of new bikes at the dealer in the high 600's. I suspect the total number of TVS 961s is around 1000.

 

[Stephen_Spencer]

So who has the highest TVS Norton vin number ? Bought mine in June 24, VIN low 300s. By October last year I saw a couple of new bikes at the dealer in the high 600's. I suspect the total number of TVS 961s is around 1000.

There are concerns about this site for a number of reasons, but the information included is drawn directly from DOT published vehicle licensing statistics. Note this does’nt include the last two quarters, or CR sales.

Can we see how else this info can be interpreted? Remembering the exam question is how many have been made. Figures show bikes licensed by Norton on manufacture, not registered for the road.

That’s my understanding - may be wrong, often am!

 

[NorTriDuc]

So who has the highest TVS Norton vin number ? Bought mine in June 24, VIN low 300s. By October last year I saw a couple of new bikes at the dealer in the high 600's. I suspect the total number of TVS 961s is around 1000.

You believe TVS has made 1000 961 bikes? That’s very generous.

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

There are still bikes waiting to be sold in the network, we know they sold 300 on the PCP deal at the end of last year. IMO they are close to 1000 in total.

 

[TonyA]

There are still bikes waiting to be sold in the network, we know they sold 300 on the PCP deal at the end of last year. IMO they are close to 1000 in total.

Makes sense.

 

[cliffa]

I think 1000 may be a little optimistic, as the official figures for the recall which affected most of the TVS production run were 577 bikes. (June 2021 to Feb 2025).

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

Plenty of the PCP bikes hadnt been made prior to Feb.. how many bikes made since then and end of production?

 

[Beetleything]

Back on the 1st of April i went by a dealer that had a load of new PCP bike to go on that day and the engine/frame number ended in the late 600s to early 700s ........

 

[comet]

Back on the 1st of April i went by a dealer that had a load of new PCP bike to go on that day and the engine/frame number ended in the late 600s to early 700s ........

My June 2025 one is frame 822, engine 877