Norton Motorcycles has relaunched its iconic Commando range with the new Commando 961 SP and Commando 961 CR.
Sadly for Kiwi Norton fans, the new Commando range is currently limited to sale within the United Kingdom.
Norton Motorcycles has relaunched the iconic Commando, but Kiwi fans will have to wait if they want to get their hands on one.
The new Norton Commando 961 family, which consists of the Commando 961 CR and 961 SP, have been launched into the UK market with a price tag starting at £16,499 for the SP model.
The bikes retain the iconic silhouette we are familiar with from the last Norton Commandos to be sold here in NZ but Norton has improved the bikes somewhat and shifted production to the firm’s brand-new factory in Solihull, England.
Both versions of the Commando are powered by an air-oil-cooled 961cc parallel twin, which develops 76.8bhp @7250rpm and 81Nm @6300rpm. The transmission is a five-speed constant mesh type, using a single plate wet clutch.
While the power figure and use of a 5-speed gearbox may come as disappointments for some, the Commando 961 makes up for this by opting for Öhlins suspension at both ends. Up the front is a 43mm USD fork with adjustment for preload, compression and rebound damping. At the rear, the Commando runs a twin shock setup which is again fully adjustable. The high-end suspension is complemented by a Brembo brake setup, with radial-mount calipers at the front coupled to a radial master cylinder.
The main difference between the bikes comes in the handlebars. While the SP keeps things relatively tame with a set of traditional upright bars, the CR - as its name suggests - opts for clip-ons to give the bike a more cafe racer poise.
“The Commando name is iconic and is unmistakably Norton. Our new generation Commando 961 SP and CR pay respect to timeless design whilst harnessing a modern flare. We’ve built a motorcycle that is unique and beautiful,” Dr Robert Hentschel, Chief Executive Officer at Norton Motorcycles, said.
“We have been rigorous in our approach to ensure we are providing the very best version of the Commando 961.
“It’s been some years since the sound of a new Commando engine has echoed through UK streets and we’re delighted to be able to offer our customers this experience once again.
If you’re wondering why there is such a heavy focus on “UK streets” that’s because currently, Norton is only selling motorcycles within the UK market. When contacted about whether the brand will return to the New Zealand marketplace, spokesman George Baines said that the company was establishing a plan to rebuild the brand globally.
“At the moment, Norton Motorcycles is not distributing in New Zealand, and current models are only available in the UK, he said. As a global business, Norton is establishing its dealership development plan, and working on what kind of dealer framework would best suit the brand.”
Norton Commando 961 Specs
Engine type: Norton air-oil-cooled pushrod parallel twin with dry sump lubrication
Bore & stroke: 88mm x 79mm
Displacement: 961cc
Compression ratio: 10.1:1
Ignition: Crank-fired, electronic fuel injection
Exhaust: Full stainless steel exhaust system with multiple 3-way catalytic converter
Gearbox: 5-speed constant mesh type
Final drive: 525 O-ring chain
Clutch: Wet multi-plate
Power: 76.8hp @7250rpm
Torque: 81Nm @6300rpm
Colour-matched seat cowl
Fuel tank: 15 Litre
Mudguard: Carbon front mudguard
Optional pillion seat (Aftersales)
The frame is hand TIG and MIG welded at Norton HQ
Handlebars: SP - Black anodised tapered high bars / CR - High-grade anodised billet aluminium clip-ons
Wheelbase: 1400mm
Rake: 24.5 º
Trail: 99mm
Seat height: 810mm
Yokes: Billet-machined
Front brakes: Full Brembo system – twin Brembo 320mm fully-floating high carbon steel discs and Brembo 4-piston Mono Bloc radially mounted calipers with ABS, and Brembo front brake master cylinder
Rear brakes: Full Brembo system – Brembo 240mm disc and 2-piston caliper with ABS, and Brembo rear brake master cylinder
Front suspension: 43mm Öhlins upside-down forks – adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping
Rear suspension: Öhlins twin shocks with remote reservoir – fully adjustable
Front wheel: 36-spoke, 3.5” x 17” polished aluminium rim
Rear wheel: 40-spoke, 5.5” x 17” polished aluminium rim
Front tyre: Dunlop Sportmax GPR 300, 120/70 x 17”
Rear tyre: Dunlop Sportmax GPR 300, 180/55 x 17”
Optional black rims available with Matrix Black colourway
Lighting: Polished stainless-steel single headlamp
Instruments: Norton analogue speedometer and tachometer
Electronics: 300W high-output charging system
COLOUR OPTIONS
961 SP
Matrix Black with polished rims
Matrix Black with black rims
Manx Platinum with polished rims
961 CR
Matrix Black with polished rims
Manx Platinum with polished rims