The Norton Commando 961 Review | The Undefinable Aura... But is That Enough?
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- čas přidán 17. 05. 2024
- The Norton Commando 961 Review.
Why does this bike have an aura about it, what makes it special, and how good is it?
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The bike: 2023 Norton Commando 961
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You've got integrity Freddie. No matter how you feel about a bike you'll always give an honest and unbiased opinion. I for one will always watch you. 👏
An excellent critical summary review of the Commando. Shame other motorcycle journalist can't present things the way Freddie does.
The Missenden Flyer gave a very similar report on the Norton.
It isn't a shame. I feel like Freddie has the talent.
Areally honest review, unbiased and informative
Most of us have dated a girl that we were so attracted to we disregarded any of her flaws no matter how significant. This bike reminds me of such a girl. I'd still date this one despite the cost and some of her flaws.
Enjoy the return of your bonnerville today Freddie.
Great review! You’d only buy one of these if you were a confirmed poser! Shame they spoilt the ship for a happeth of tar.
What's a 'bonnerville', a Chinese copy of a Bonneville?
Thank you so much!!😃
Great review. Unfortunately it seems a lot of manufacturers think that sticking a classic iconic badge on a substandard machine is an acceptable marketing strategy. My cynical view is….. if they can’t be bothered to invest in decent kit for the parts you can see eg. The dials and key… then what have they scrimped on with the parts you can’t actually see? 🤔 enjoy the DGR. Decent weather for it (while I’m stuck in work 😢)
You took the words right out of my mouth.
Unbearable vibrations? Bloody hell Freddie, now the wife wants one.
Nice sales pitch from Norton 😂
It's a bike built for the ladies
Tell your wife that she needs genitals in her feet and hands to want one - that's where the vibes are!
Love your final ‘James Bond’ comparison …… definitely a bike to look at rather than ride I think 🤔
I do agree a 100% ... for the looks bike ... I had a HD 883 and it was marvellous to look at and horrendus to ride ... awful chassis, brakes and turn capabilities .... got a " UK Sportster " in stead ... a T120 black ... that´s the perfect bike !! Cheers from Brazil
If only Norton listened… cheap indicators, brake reservoirs, USB, instrument cluster etc. Wouldn’t take much and we’d all still secretly want one. Not sure the T120 crowd are going to be too jealous….!
A not very flattering review of a very prestigious brand. But a brutally honest one. My respect to you for this. Wouldn't it be a terrible thing to have forked out a serious amount of your hard earned salary to only find all this out. Great vid of what has to be said one of the most gorgeous looking bikes out there
Agreed on the brake fluid reservoirs. Many look like urine sample cups. As these do. Remember when bike companies used to integrate them into a sleek, slender, metal container, rectangular in shape?
Man after my own heart, but then perhaps I to am delusional. Like the Bonneville, like the BMW : but the Norton tugs at my heart. Has since I was a kid. Honest and great review, glad I came upon your channel.👌
You've left an impression on me Freddie. You have that aura. You like to travel cars and bikes... You speak and represent yourself well. Are you English? I think you could be the next James Bond. Another entertaining show.
No Mr Dobbs is Scottish.
His Uncle was Sean Connery.
So was Sean Connery 😊
Really? Sean Connery?
Cringe
That is very kind of you to say so. Delighted you enjoyed the video!
Excellent, unbiased review on the 961.... I'm a long term old school Commando owner (750 combat & 850 mk3). Over the years I've upgraded these machines and they still put a smile on my face, every time I ride them. I test rode a 961 my local dealer had in stock last year; alongside it was a 2021 (euro 4) Enfield Interceptor - I ended up buying the Interceptor, which makes a great stablemate to my old Nortons. Granted, the new owners of the Norton name have done a pretty good go at sorting out the mess that (Mr) Garner left - but sadly, all that seems left now are the badges on the tank.... Personally I'll be sticking with the originals 😏 and the great news is that original Commando spares supply is excellent, with great parts availability from Andover 👍 Get yourself a ride on a well sorted 750 or 850 Freddie; as the brochures used to say, they're an 'Isolastic super ride' 😊
For all their lack of sophistication, bar perhaps isolastic engine mounts, the original Commandos were and still are fine bikes. My first big bike was a 750 Commando and I was incredibly impressed by how smooth and powerful it was. I toured reliably up and down the land on that bike. The one up, three down gear shift set it apart from all other bikes of the day and I loved it all the more for it. I'd love another one, but the prices are shocking for a UK registered one that isn't a corroded shambles . It's great to know that if I did have one, at least I'd be able to service it and re-supply all the parts, even decades after it went out of production. Will the same be true of the 961 in fifty years time? Don't put any money on it.
The Norton may get there one day. The 1200 Thuruxton , iconic British twin is the one that it has to catch up to.
True. Unfortunately it's now discontinued by triumph so Norton owns the market other than RE which is way less power. P.s. I own a Thruxton
@@FunWithAJ The Norton appears to be a work in progress. Even something fundamental like engine design , from reviews, appears to be more of a prototype and production has teething problems.
Triumph is still the benchmark of British manufacturing revival.
@buddhastaxi666 I agree. Unfortunately with the thruxron going out of production the cafe racer bike look Norton will have almost exclusively unless we count RE
If I were Norton I’d be disappointed in this review but…I’d also be looking at how close we were to building one of the best bikes ever made.
They should be disappointed. They should also address the shortcomings Freddie pointed out.
@@alanduncan3337 That’s exactly what I was alluding to. They’ve got plenty of work to do but you can see what the finished article could be.
said it before, Freddie your one hell of a salesman, 17k for a torture rack and your make it feel like we are missing out not to have one in our garage, if anyone has a Aura, its you Freddie
Norton should take a note out of CCMs book. CCM pay attention to detail with every component and are a small volume British manufacturer with a passion for perfection.
I struggle to understand how anyone with a passion for norton heritage would fit those indicators. Tells me they dont care, so what about the parts we cant see?
I agree with norton direction of travel though, and they should continue building low volume, hand built bikes, with the only nod to technology being fuel injection, minus riding modes, traction control, ride by wire etc. This is their USP, embrace it.
Agreed on all points
It would be great a new single or twin BSA based but modernised in uk like original norton international TT racers and weslakes and japs used in speedway before. CCM with the suzuki 650 DR motor was good
Entertaining and thought provoking as always Freddie.
Since its a British bike I do wonder if bits like the exhaust headers fall off like they did on the original Nortons...?
To paraphrase Peter Egan, "It's a wonderful feeling to start a journey on a British bike and an even better feeling to get back home on one..."
Freddie, I love your videos. They just keep getting better and better. Perfect music selection and beautiful scenery. And Monika is such a gifted photographer and videographer. Hats off to you both from the U.S.
cringe
🏍 There's no excuse for excessive vibration these days - and those plastic indicators 😮love the brutal honesty. Can't help but think that if this was produced in India it would retail at £7k
Should give it to RE, imagine with that price tag what they’d make of it, it would awesome
I have owned a Norton 961 cf in silver and black for ten years and concur with all that you say, and you said it so eloquently. I am fortunate enough to have been a biker now for over 50 years and to own several motorcycles with some generating nearly 200 bhp, and some are old and struggle to 47 bhp. However, out of all of them, it is only the Norton that can truly be described as a work of art. Like a painting or a sculpture just to look at, but this one you can ride for everyone to enjoy, not just the rider. Thanks for a wonderful video, and I will now subscribe to your channel and wish you all the very best.
I have always liked the look of the Norton, as i do my Thruxton R, But i just love the Triumph 1200 motor the sound, power, and feel of the engine are spot on for my riding. The Norton maybe Sean Connery But the Triumph is Steve McQueen :)
There's no denying that is one beautiful bike and probably very worthy in so many ways. However, as time progresses those niggles amplify and the initial passion weakens, but even when you sell the bike or move on, the rose-tinted glasses are never far away. Great review and so engaging, you really are a superb presenter. Many thanks.
At £17000 the lack of attention to quality in places puts me off. The key is a joke. The dials leaking disappointing and the tank recessed for knees not quite right looks ridiculous. Great review though.
It is all very British.
But it is special.
Thank you for the great content Freddie. I wasn’t a motorcycle guy a year ago but after watching your Honda Dax video and other content filled with passion for motorcycles, I finally made the jump to save and buy a cruiser last month. I’ve never been happier. It’s a hobby that will stay with me for as long as I live.
How refreshing, finally an honest review of the Norton Commando. I think this is a beautiful looking bike, and I had convinced myself I was going to have one, as far I was concerned it was a done deal, take my money... but then I test rode one. Initially I thought its beautiful, it sounds great, has loads of character, and its a Norton! Then I discovered it is top heavy, the handling is ok but not great, the suspension was so firm it felt like it was constantly trying to buck me off, the noise and vibrations get very tiresome after about 30 minutes, then there is the annoying unsprung foot pegs which are an accident waiting to happen. I'm used to bikes with character as I ride a Ducati, Moto Guzzi and a Bonneville, but the Norton has too much "character" for my liking.
I still think the Norton Commando is a gorgeous looking bike, however in my opinion its a bike that you could have a great affair with but you wouldn't want to marry it, I kind of love it but I couldn't live with it.
I think I get your point that despite all of the cons, that bike still feels special and would love to buy it
If you can afford the price to bimble around on a Sunday & not go over 55 mph, I would imagine it a very rewarding bike to own. It’s definitely one of the more attractive bikes out there & it sounds fantastic.
If I look back at all the bikes I sold and wish I hadn’t it’s always the ones with flaws. The reliable, comfy, efficient one’s I can’t even remember. I think the Norton would be a keeper.
Thanks Freddie for an honest series of reviews on the Norton. Would I love one as part of a collection ? Yes! Would I have one as my only bike? No!
I think it is aimed at two demographics of owner, the thirty something who has cash to burn and the over fifty that can just remember older brothers having Nortons in the 70s. Great review though, thanks
We’re off to the Pandora Inn for Sunday Lunch today. Thanks for the tip Freddie!
I appreciate your candor with your reviews. Your positive review of the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is a big reason I bought one. I'm glad to see that your reviews are honest and not just an attempt to appease that company that gave you the motorcycle to ride.
Freddie, that is one of the best reviews you have ever done, absolutely loved every second of it. My take away is the Norton is like an elusively beautiful woman who is known for having a slightly unstable personality. So attractive, it is almost impossible to resist, despite our base instinct screaming “don’t do it, it will end in tears.” The bike is an enigma.
You forgot to point out that off-centre ignition switch on the dash in your quality overview 😄
Oh and one obvious area in which the Norton is better then the T120 os the looks, but that’s probably it.
Great video Freddie.
Give the Norton points for not wearing a Morris Minor car radiator.
I saw it, I loved it, I bought it. Thanks Freddie!
Freddie, ride a restored 1972 750 Norton Combat Commando Roadster, the pinnacle of the breed and one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever made. Eerily smooth after 3000rpm. A flawed but unforgettable ride.
having owned both the 750 and the 850 I regard the 850 as the pinnacle of the brand
Totally agree I rode one for years.best sounding bike I ever had and with today's after market options could be brought into the realms of modern riding.
I had an 850 Commando in the states. Seeing the workmanship issues with this new Norton saddens me.
@johnmacmillan2721 yeah every day I rode l loved that sound .never tired of it.only Norton had that sound .
@@richc767 they should have faithfully copied the original 850 except add another gear .they would have sold well .
Well done. Honest review, and you hit the nail on the head why so many of us in the states road British bikes back in the 60's and 70's. And still do!
Simply put a Norton in appearance is the equivalent in modern day terms as an old Vincent was back in the day….But not in performance terms! They are magnificent looking beasts and that is coming from a Ducati 939 owner.
Wow, well done sir! Your enthusiasm for bikes always makes me smile, but when it comes down to brass tacks, you come through with the goods. Thanks again for your honesty.
many small companies throw in ohlins suspensions because it sells.
Most of the time its overkill, they could pay more attention to the details you talked about.
Like seat, adjustable footpegs ,gauges that looks like a designer watch the list goes on.
Great review!
No holding back Freddie, great review👍
Over the series the Norton has really impressed me, the bike really as you said have a lasting impression when you see one in the wild ❤
Unless Norton pay attention to their critics and sort out these quality issues, the Commander may turn out to be the George Lazenby of your Bond analogy...
You're right about 77bhp being enough Freddie. There's only a few can ride a fast bike flat out and they assemble in early June in the IOM. I've had two 850 Commando's and started watching this review thinking what a poor copy but it's really grown on me as you decribe that very special feeling you get on a Norton...
All you say about the Commando is true. There is no mistaking that by objective criteria, the bike does not stand up against its competitors, neither in terms of performance nor price. I think you have to be applauded to speak this out. Still, having had the rare privilege to ride one (I am from the.eu, where the 961 Commando is not street legal), I am impressed that a bike like this can be built and sold today. It is not a modern classic, or a copy of an 80s original. It is the real thing: A true classic motorycle that you can buy new today. Nd as such, it is unique.
Are you implying that the Commando 961 is another Brexit bonus? A Boris 961 special?
Stunning looking and fabulous noise. Great post Mr. Dobbs, I’ve been expecting you.
Superb review. I love the way you leave us with the thought that for all its inadequacies you would still love to own the Norton. Leaving us to scratch our head but admire
Wow, what a brutally honest review! Chapeau👊
Excellent review/video. Very entertaining. I have only recently discovered and subscribed to your channel. I look forward to working my way through your back catalogue. 👍🏍
Now in years of maturity I am a proud custodian of a Triumph; years ago I was an avid scooterist and we used to say the Lambretta was the Kate Moss of scooters and the Vespa was the Alison Moyet. Thanks for making these videos Freddie, I look forward to them.
Surely Vespa is the Sophia Loren? My SS180 had curves everywhere.
Wow! You have definitely come over to the dark side.
My first ever form of petrol powdered motion was indeed a Lambretta 200. I was 9 years old, racing it around the field with Cindy, the farm dog in hot pursuit!
53 years ago, to be precise.
Did you have a name for Piaggio?
@@rob-fb5xs 🥱 There’s always 1.
Fantastic unbiased review as always Freddie. Many thanks for your insight and summing up.
Makes you appreciate John Bloor's achievement resurrecting Triumph. No big money backers, no experience manufacturing motorcycles, yet quickly gained a reputation for building solid, good quality bikes. Norton, with the backing of the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, has completely missed the mark with this. So disappointing.
Facts
That's quite a skill indeed. Determining whether an engine is air or water cooled based on its sound.
Thank you for the great review Mr Bond.
Freddie, you're not afraid to highlight the negatives, thats just one reason that sets you apart and the reason ive followed you for a couple of yrs or so.
You have something magical that cant be bought....
Good to meet you at DGR Tamworth yesterday.( Im the one with the Z900RS that was cheeky enough to ask for a photo 😉) You gave your time despite being pulled in several directions at once and that meant a lot..
Every bit the gent i expected you'd be.
Never in my 54 yrs have i been drawn to material or content like this, you have a talent for making people feel like they've been friends for yrs with what you do..
That is something pretty special, keep a hold of that..
Hope you attend more future events and as the saying goes " I'll see you on the next one"
I don't think you realize how good you are...respect...😉
An honest review, and that's all we as viewers ask for from You Tube channels.......Freddie, you're one of the few to point out the issues......
Excellent review Freddie. Not afraid to point out all the cost cutting in certain spots, but giving praise where it's due.
Thank you Commander Bond, an excellent review!
Interesting you mention the Royal Enfield Classic 350 reborn, comparing a £4,000 pound bike to a £16000 pound Norton. £16,000 pound Norton with hopeless carbon fibre mud guards and weigh 240 kilos. £4,000 pound Classic with full metal mudguards weighs 194 kilos hmmm wonder if I am happy with my 2 year old Classic ? Plus my Classic has a proper ignition key complete with RE emblem, not forgetting the scraping exhaust on the Norton ! I could go on but makes you realise why Norton have failed 😊
Your best review yet- impartial, analytical and useful.
Very, very good explanation of something that is hard to define! Compliments!
Well done and thank you for the well considered analysis. As a teen in the '70's I lusted after the Norton Commando Interstate (and the lovely ladies sitting on them...) but I bought a '69 T120 Bonneville. I still love the Commando new and old, but I own a '96 Thunderbird 900 Triple. If only I had the readies for a Commando as a Sunday only bike.
Great bit of bike analysis there Freddie. I love your delivery and use of words, and the James Bind bit at the end was just brilliant, made me laugh out loud! 😅😅
Sean would have been delighted with your last comment Freddie.Great review as always.
As always keep up the great work! 👍👍
Fantastic video Freddie, absolutely fantastic..
Thank you for an honest review !
Great looking bike but far too many negatives. A good honest review Freddie, are you listening Norton? Not long till the Bonnie's back, excitement levels must be off the scale!
Brilliant (and I don't use that adjective lightly! :) ) review. Thanks to you both. Have to say, it would take a brave heart to buy that bike.
Great review Freddie loved it mate.
A truly inspiring video. Thanks for this! I might actually fall in love with the one you've seen in Scotland last year...
Very good video Freddie! You make some excellent points... 👍
Brilliant review Freddy… you nail it every time and your content, research, detail and delivery are simply exceptional… superb review from the heart 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great job, Freddie! - reviewing the Commando 👏
True enjoyed your evaluation and video regarding the Norton. You have not just a technical perspective but also an emotional connection. I agree also with your final opinion 🏍❤️🏁
Really appreciate it, thank you Mark
Enjoy the DGR today Freddie...Im on the Bristol DGR with my son!😁
Thanks John, I hope you had a brilliant run! The weather was incredible☀️
OMG, I just saw the key for the Norton, I'm not joking, but that a key a barrel set you get for motorhomes. I've just fitted one just this week to one I've been repairing 😮
Great honest video. Well done
Freddie you have made your best bike summary yet! Well done indeed. Your conclusion is brilliant. You cannot put a price on how a bike makes you FEEL! That has nothing to do with practicality, performance or versatility. It is beyond those sensible, rational qualities. My neighbour has a gorgeous older Ducati 750 sportbike in the Ducati yellow. It is art on wheels . Horrible riding position, awful spring loaded side stand, sexy fairings hide everything and even the oil site glass requires you to be a contortionist BUT this bike is just like the Norton....throw all the logic aside this is irresistible..this is true love...andcwe know that is painful too😅
Mods:
- Triple-Clamps xtrig polished aluminium that provide a better angle geometry and more steering
- bar clamps xtrig polished aluminium
- Nolden NCC 7” LED Lights, black
- motogadget tiny signals, black
- Rizoma Mirrors
- Magura HC3 pumps, brake and clutch
- Modified gear-change lever assembly
- Gilles tooling footpegs
- Bespoke Instrumentscluster plate of polished aluminium
- finned exhaust pipe mounts replacing that ugly thing
- replacing golden Oehlins with black re-branded Oehlins pieces as “Roadholder” higher grade pieces with proper adjustments H/Lspeed…
- bigger black performance oil cooler, definitely, mounted outside of the steering circle, more inward to the engine or a flatter item
- carbon rear fender
- fuel-injection throttle bodies side cover for classic look
- made in England hand-pin-striped writing on the frame if not there yet.
- any pin-stripe hand-done if not already.
- Custom Exhaust System made (unfortunately mostly illegal)
- …
Or spend much less, buy a BSA Goldstar 650 legend and live with it, a far more trustable, though simpler bike.
I totally agree with what you've said about the bike although I don't get the vibration as bad, but being 5'6" slow maneuvering is a bugger, but oh the joy of riding the bike is worth every penny, best and most honest review I've seen.
Brilliant review and you encapsulate what makes something special , forget comparisons and specs…. It’s all about emotion and connection ! … great video 👍
Freddie I think you NAILED IT!
A true gentleman and courteous to all riders and the choices we've all made. I much appreciate and enjoy the insights on the two-wheel mobiles and comparing retro and naked bikes. Having own a 2023 BMW R NineT scrambler after watching FD's analysis, it is undoubtedly the truth about the R 90T scrambler's performance and the price point. And without a doubt Norton holds a prestigious reputation when it comes to a true gentleman's ride. I look forward to having the Norton Commander in my garage some day soon along with the Ducati streetfighter v2, HD883 and the R90T scrambler.
Thank you Freddie for sharing some of the amazing motorcycles and the memories with us. Much love from America 🇺🇸
Its like going to vegas and see a Elvis look A like.....its overpriced, ugly and has absolute nothing to do with the original, they could have done it right like almost all other brands. Even Royal Enfield and Jawa knows how to do it ! For that stupid amount of money i would buy a nice classic CB 750 the real deal ❤ The good news ?? Great video as always and much appreciated ❤ hi from Holland
That was a great review Freddie.
It's a romantic bike .
Not for soulless bean counters.
translation; it is a piece of s**t..
True and true
I rode down from South Manchester to Tamworth yesterday to take part in the Distiguished Gentleman Ride and the meet up with Freddie , Joe and Emily with Freddie receiving his newly re-built Triumph Bonneville . It was such a joy to ride with all these fellow bikers and a wonderful day ending up at the home of Triumph in Hinckley . A day I will rememember for a long time . Freddie your Bonneville looks amazing .👍
Well done as always. And the Bond analogy is quintessential Freddie Dobbs.
Freddie. Everyone is waiting to see that Bonnie ride again. You’re killing us. 😂
This proves your honesty, top stuff
The way you describe you're experience with these type of motorcycles make me think about buying one.
And that from a guy who's bikes always exceeded 140Hp driving them half the time on one wheel.
Firstly I'm not affiliated to Norton, Just a name co-incidence. Anyhow, I've had 2 Commando's now, more recently a brand new LE588 Cafe Racer. I have to agree with Freddie's comments here. What your buying and riding is really a modern classic with some of those idiosyncrasies from bygone days. Yes the indicators should be more premium, the turning circle is woeful and i have found it vibey between 3-4k rpm, however it all pales into the distance when you ride the thing. The suspension for me is sublime and the brakes/clutch and gearbox powerful and sweet. I love the machine and the feeling it gives you every time you ride it.
Some of the negative comments have made me doubt that I have done the wrong thing buying one.
Now I have had chance to get a few miles on it i love it. It really is like a British bike with modern suspension and excellent brakes.
Just watched the live feed of your finished Bonneville wow looks amazing 😍
You are one lucky man 🏍️🏍️🏍️
Great honest review, if one was living day to day with the bike mate.
You really do get it! Thanks for the closing climax
Norton's have never floated my boat. Basic, uncomfotable and very expensive, my view obviously. I'm so glad you saw through your initial excitement to look closer. Great, honest review.
Extremely honest review 👏 Nobody Does It Better
lol, nice
The Ohlins are also a great cruiser shock. Here we use them on Harley touring bikes. Your perspective is spot on for how a bike actually feels to you.
I owned a 1972 Commando ( I bought it brand new. I’m 71) it is still my all time favorite bike. It baffles me as to why TVS spend a little more on all the finishes to make them primo. Anyone willing to spend that much money on a bike would be more than capable of spending a little more for a better finished bike. My situation is such that I could afford it ( if I could get one in the States) but I wouldn’t but oh how I’d love to ride one. I guess I’ll just keep riding my Triumph Speedmaster.