If its a test in mcn it`ll be bollox.On the triumph xt 800, no mention of the fact that triumph totally phucked up the pillion pegs.All they talked about was the engine ,suck asses!
@HaggisPowah I mean ,it appears Kenny Dreer drew heavy inspiration - asthetics wise from the Honda GB500 when he designed the bike, even down to the paint scheme.
Jesus I think half you guys are on the rag with the amount of bitching going on. You have to take it for what it is, a nostaliga machine. Considering people pay this for a pre unit bonnie what do you expect.
Madly overpriced and under-specced. Air-cooled pushrod twins are really archaic, whether its Norton or Guzzi. It'll only sell to very rich nostalgia buffs whereas the real Commando was ridden to work in the 70s by Fred the local builder's mate.
I really like the look of the bike. It needs a 360 degree crank tho before I would consider buying it...oh and it better be all British too which it ain't...rather like Harley ain't all American either but I bought one of them cause I live in a dream world where every country creates their own bikes 100% like they used to, warts an all and you could see each country in the bikes they made. Far as I can see, the Japanese are the only ones making 100% Japanese bikes anymore and I bet I am wrong
Who are their directors, this bike is overpriced and woefully ugly. They really need to have a word with Triumph about how to REALLY regenerate the brand.
@LazerSparks : Ha Forgot to mention, they've put Ohlin's front and back and carbon wheels on a bike without the ground clearance to be able to use them !! Bye bye Norton.
I love bikes like this and the bonnie because you could never build a new car that looks like an old classic, it would be too dangerous, too impractical and too wonderfull for todays world.
I was so excited when I first saw the pictures of this bike. I have a Kawasaki W650 that's getting long in the tooth and I'm ready to upgrade. But the Norton's 270 degree crank is a deal breaker for me. Upright British twins should have a distinct sound that can only be produced by a 360 degree crank. Maybe the new Norton will get this figured out. We can only hope.
Bonnevilles use a 360 degree crank and the Scrambler has a 270 crank. From what Ive heard the 270 degree gives the bike torque earlier in the rpm. The Scrambler gets almost 90% of it's torque from 2500RPM. I think the Norton is awesome and sounds great. For my taste the 270 is even better.
What an achievement. I hope they do well with these bikes. I'ts amazing to me how stringent the enviro standards are and that these guys were still able to come to mkt with a bike that's cool, affordable and sportable. I see that Southbay is a dealer for these?
Was reading some time back about the new owner, sounds like he's ready to move on from this bike after limited production. I really hope these guys race these bikes. Glad they're back in UK were they belong. Good luck Norton, Im in.
Looking down on some of the comments,lets put aside,i would rather,and its got shit clocks,,etc.This is a Norton back on home soil and being made in Donnington and people want it!!!Give these guys a chance,its a new Norton....what more do people want,add extras at your own discresion...
I think they missed the boat on this one. They've been promising it for so long, that the whole modern retro has been done by both Triumph and Ducati in the meantime. Everyone that lusted after the 961 already bought a Paul Smart Sport Classic for less money. That's why you ought to get your shit together before you announce to the world that you're bringing back Norton, instead of announcing it, taking orders and then trying to build some bikes with that cash.
Youve got serious problems. With no exception everyone of my mates think this bike is fantastic. Go back to polishing and arguing about the right pinstripes at shows.I expect you hate all the hinkley triumphs aswell. Original bonnie , 4oo honda and God forbid 89 harley sportster owner.Should I burn them now then hang myself to please you people?
i think it looks a little skeletal compaired to other bikes like the cb900 (not that i'm saying the cb looks better) just this bike might look better if it had more of a presence
ha the cb900 looks like something you could buy at toys'r'us with all that fake looking plastic shit and goofy slant on it. does not look like a classic at all
@BunnyUK Nothing wrong with pushrod engines, mate. My 72 Commando Combat and it had BAGS of torque. just because it doesn't rev to 10,000 rpm doesn't mean it didnt go fast. Mine did. :)
Hi. I had a 750 Norton Commando in my youth and to this day it was the most exciting bike I ever owned. Right shifter and all! Not the fastest but the handling was great and the isolastic motor mounts were just too cool. Like a typical kid, I broke it (transmission) and sold it because I could not afford to fix it. $400. Dumb!
I'm 17 and I love classic motorcycles. I've been working on a 1975 Honda CB 550F. I would kill for a Commando! Anyways, I'm glad to see Norton back in the game. I hope they are still made in the UK.
I can see why some are disapointed by this bike and some love it and they're both right. But if Norton dont capitalise on this and start building brand new designs that will appeal and sell to todays riders then they will neer be a major player(I know that would be a long way off). If they are happy producing bespoke and nieche market bikes then good on em, but I would'nt trade my Yam in for one because they are not offering me what I want. Just hoping it's a foretaste of things to come.
I like it. They stayed within the boundaries of what a Norton is, or used to be back in the day. You want a Norton, you get a Norton. If it was totally redesigned, it would be something else with the Norton name on it. People would say it was a start-up trying to capitalize on someone else's marque.
What Norton used to be? Thats my point. Honda used to build old fashioned bikes but they kept up with the times and didnt stick there head in the sand and they are still aound. Another Britmarque building upto date bikes for all sectors of the market is where they should be going. Im hoping they are just doing the old school thing to kick start the company off. Can you imagine tooling around on a brand new cutting edge version of the comando. Which is as good or better than your mates japasonic?
the bike is ok , but they should haved modernized or improved the valve train its way too noisy! hydraulic lifters would have been a good step or perhaps a overhead cam, it doesnt make sense! they improved the chassis etc but left the engine halfbaked, shame.
Yeah I see what your saying but I cant help thinking that building similar to what they built 30 or 40 years ago is just going to repeat history and they will go the way of the other Brit bikes marques of that era. Build it for now and build it contempory and you will be able to sell to todays market. Perhaps thats where they are going with this bike just being a tentative first step. I hope so. I would love to be able to buy a modern up to date commando.
The Thruxton is the closest anyone has come to the Norton Commando in what...20 yrs? I say hats off and bring it on! look fwd to seeing this great marque resurrected.
I like the look of this bike. I also think that I just WANT to like the look of this bike due to a sense of patriotic romance. What I dont like is the archaic engineering. I'm not saying it's bad, I am just saying it's not to my taste. I think that if Norton were to look forward rather than back they would be able to build a more comercial bike. But I understand they are shit out of cash and need monies in advance to build you a bike. Treat it as a first rung on the ladder of hopefull success.
Do both. Over half of Triumph's range is new-vintage. I think it's a safe bet to sell the Commando in tandem with maybe one new bike. Two or three years from now they could make a Norton equivalent of the D675, Tiger, S3.
The new company is making a fair effort, I suppose; although the way things are heading with environmental concerns maybe they should divert all the r&d money they're blowing on the rotary race engine for an electric unit, maybe straight out of a Dyson, but then it wouldn't be British made anymore .....:)
Anyway, my Morini 350 sport series 1 is just way way better looking and sounding than the new Norton.
This bike is a piece of art! And as such will be provoking strong emotions positive and negative. For Norton fans around the world the 961, is a myth, a long sought after dream. I'll sell any bike I have, the moment this bike finally becomes available, to finance the purchase of my very own Norton Commando 961. For me it is truly mesmerizing!
I made a sweet deal; I support the dedicated effort to revive a motorcycle legend into a modern yet stylish incarnation. And i might get an opportunity to purchase their product;-)
I'm talking about my own preferences. there is nothing wrong with having a fast bike. you will definitely pass me anytime my dear because you are the best. what is the speed limit in canada anyway?
still got that old british block look . all my mates thougt the same when we were 16 so had to be fs1e rd200 rd400e the british bike industry just did not get it
Hold up little fella, just because im 24 that means I dont know my classic bikes! Forgive me for being ignorant but you were only just born when some of the best bikes came out too. I may be from a generation that has become use to cheap jap crap, but i still apreciate the old bikes alot. I agree that there has been some horrible british bikes in the past, but theres also been some right crackers.
Development by Norton Motorsports Kenny dreer & his team from Oregon U.S.A.Norton racing U.K will take all over for production before end of the year 2009.A Beautiful Good Looking Bike! I will own one if can.I hope so.Sexist Bike Of The Year!
same ol rattling piece of shyte with bolt on bling to disguise the fact you will be mopping up oil from underneath the engine...when you have finished pushing it home of course..make sure your breakdown cover is up to date if you buy one of these relics
That bike was built between 6 and 8 years ago and has been sat in a lock-up for the last three years following the US company that was going to build it going bust.
twin cylinder, 2 valves per cylinder push rod operated, twin carbs, 5 speed. Who in 2009 wants to buy old technology? This is why british motorcycles failed.
it might be old tech mate but some people like that sentimental ol school charm.its called goin retro and it doesnt just apply to bikes.and british bikes never failed,they actually set the standard in some cases.just look at the daytona 675.best middle class bike you can get
well said Truckie. Its a great looking bike. We can't expect every sports bike rider to understand the whole retro and old school charm can we? you'll turn more heads and get more admiring looks on that than a new R1 or Blade any day. this coming from a zx9 owner. easy bro.
I'm not a sports rider and I'm old enough to have seen the demise of british bikes. Triumph new range is a far cry from the old push rod 2 valve engines they used to make. Nowerdays they even have monoshock suspension. Norton have to wake up if they want a fraction of the retro market. Bonnieville is an example of good retro, so it can be done.
Norton have no plans to take over the retro market just yet. Bet they'll sell them though. People who buy these bikes won't be thrashing the tits off them, no sirree Bob, They'll just be cruising round. could have been a liquid cooled overhead cam motor but they wanted to retain some of the old character. Don't know why thats hard for some to understand but hey, everyone has their opinion. Front and rear ohlins and brembo stoppers? come on dude, give it some credit. Take it easy old fella
Lovely bike, but: it really sounds like, and correct me if I'm wrong, they put a 180 or 270 degree crank in it to make it sound like a V2, which it isn't. From an engineer's point of view, this is total bullocks, and makes the engine worse: worse balance and worse firing intervals. Norton never did this, it's only marketing.
Yep, 270 deg crank I believe. Not sure why they've done this but a 270 crank might have some advantages that I don't understand. Liked the old 360 myself. Anyway, it looks a cracking bike. Great to see the name back - I know I'd love to own one.
nice lookin ride, love the classic styled bikes, the Ducati Classic, the new Honda CB1000 Classic, the Triumph Thruxton and even the Harley Roadster 883
When Triumph launched the 800 Bonneville, people asked why they didn't make it as their first model when the Hinckley factory opened in '91. They replied that if they had, they would have been thought of as simply a manufacturer of retro-kitsch and wouldn't have been taken seriously. They had to build something modern first. Although I wish New New Norton all the best, I fear that this is exactly how they will be judged.
that looks dreadful. Its 2009 for goodness sake, surely they could have designed something more elegant than that! I am staggered. It doesnt even look 'retro' it just looks home made!
looks really really good actually. :) and generally i'm only interested in big fast bikes, but i like this. sounds like a 20 year old chainsaw though lol
this bike has been held up too long but it still looks good. it is finally hitting the streets which it thoroughly deserves. sceptical about the pushrod twin though but i guess it is designed for a selected market
Now this is more like it! =D
SicSeb 1 month ago
Beautiful.
FuckTheSocialNorm 2 months ago
what is the music in this video?
OOPOLO 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Kenny Drear (Oregon City, OR) looks on, a single tear slowly coursing down his face...
1212sman 7 months ago
Kenny Drear (Oregon City, OR) looks on, a sngle tear slowly coursing down his face...
1212sman 7 months ago
hi well its a great bike but proved the point that bikes are not for working guys anymore with the price tag,rich boys toys
paulbeeby1 8 months ago 3
@paulbeeby1 Ever seen the price of a new nice car (Not bottom of the range Kia)? You probably havent with that attitude. Try to compare mate :)
vithaj92 3 months ago
motorbike porn love it
gbyrne 8 months ago
0:38 ..I'm sure the needle is supposed to move when the engine is revved ...
harmageden 8 months ago 4
All the arguing...does it really matter if it looks like a GB 500 ..NORTON IS BACK !! Yea Haaaa !!
harmageden 8 months ago
If its a test in mcn it`ll be bollox.On the triumph xt 800, no mention of the fact that triumph totally phucked up the pillion pegs.All they talked about was the engine ,suck asses!
xfire7 9 months ago
@Aurality...No the GB500 is the rip off, don't you get it or are you under 30??
?
micksvideostuff 9 months ago
@micksvideostuff
Is a two year difference really enough time to rip off designs and put it into production?
parrish001 9 months ago
I do like it, but.... the design is a COMPLETE rip off of a Honda GB500
Aurality 10 months ago
@Aurality I don't follow - what do you mean it's a rip-off?
HaggisPowah 10 months ago
@HaggisPowah I mean ,it appears Kenny Dreer drew heavy inspiration - asthetics wise from the Honda GB500 when he designed the bike, even down to the paint scheme.
Aurality 10 months ago
@Aurality Unless you feel a gold and black paint scheme is leading edge technology and inovation :)
HaggisPowah 5 months ago
Jesus I think half you guys are on the rag with the amount of bitching going on. You have to take it for what it is, a nostaliga machine. Considering people pay this for a pre unit bonnie what do you expect.
WetheWalrus 11 months ago
looks like benjamin buttons bike
nch4life 11 months ago
Madly overpriced and under-specced. Air-cooled pushrod twins are really archaic, whether its Norton or Guzzi. It'll only sell to very rich nostalgia buffs whereas the real Commando was ridden to work in the 70s by Fred the local builder's mate.
PaulKasner 1 year ago 2
This vid sux. That bike is gorgeous, faster than a new Bonneville.
robmanueb2 1 year ago
I really like the look of the bike. It needs a 360 degree crank tho before I would consider buying it...oh and it better be all British too which it ain't...rather like Harley ain't all American either but I bought one of them cause I live in a dream world where every country creates their own bikes 100% like they used to, warts an all and you could see each country in the bikes they made. Far as I can see, the Japanese are the only ones making 100% Japanese bikes anymore and I bet I am wrong
67genxer 1 year ago
it may be a 30 year-old bike but it has ohlins and brembos so it MUST handle good.
Right?
dargonz350 1 year ago
Who are their directors, this bike is overpriced and woefully ugly. They really need to have a word with Triumph about how to REALLY regenerate the brand.
LazerSparks 1 year ago 3
@LazerSparks : Ha Forgot to mention, they've put Ohlin's front and back and carbon wheels on a bike without the ground clearance to be able to use them !! Bye bye Norton.
LazerSparks 1 year ago 2
@LazerSparks Your mother is ugly :)
Lyesha80999317543 1 year ago
@LazerSparks it' s a beauty
nndth 6 months ago
I really wanted to see more in this video.
I love bikes like this and the bonnie because you could never build a new car that looks like an old classic, it would be too dangerous, too impractical and too wonderfull for todays world.
Drinapropriatetouch 1 year ago
looks like one of those mini motos that young boys ride around their back yards
sooupdragon 1 year ago 2
Wow a whole 3 secs of video showing the bike in motion. Whats wrong did it fall apart after second gear ?
bulldog01209 1 year ago 3
sounds rough, and not in a good way
tomhasballs90 1 year ago 2
Wow a real bike with a B :D
Not with fly-by-wire technology crap.
eamh2002 1 year ago
Is it me or the recording, but this sounds like it's got something loose a rattling sound.......
Had a 750 Norton comander and it sounded a lot beter than that.
Nortons, Triumph, Indians and Harley's, the Iron horse backbone.
johnnyboypdq 1 year ago
God this thing is simply gorgeous. One day...
VooDooXII 1 year ago
Fan-bloody-tastic.
rupertmja1 1 year ago
I was so excited when I first saw the pictures of this bike. I have a Kawasaki W650 that's getting long in the tooth and I'm ready to upgrade. But the Norton's 270 degree crank is a deal breaker for me. Upright British twins should have a distinct sound that can only be produced by a 360 degree crank. Maybe the new Norton will get this figured out. We can only hope.
riderpoet 1 year ago
@riderpoet
Bonnevilles use a 360 degree crank and the Scrambler has a 270 crank. From what Ive heard the 270 degree gives the bike torque earlier in the rpm. The Scrambler gets almost 90% of it's torque from 2500RPM. I think the Norton is awesome and sounds great. For my taste the 270 is even better.
Speedytrip 1 year ago
Wow, I got a bit of a chubby...love Norton's, this bike is beautiful.
MrH2O4me 1 year ago
WOOT!!!
DirtRidrS 1 year ago
great bike !
MrMP59 1 year ago
Read? Read! What you mean read?!
daedalx 1 year ago
Typical MCN shite..
londonbornboy 2 years ago 3
This has been flagged as spam show
Hey get the key for norton 2010 at nortonantiviruskey [DOT] tk
xboxlive62 2 years ago
This bike is bad frickin' assed!
rikkirockett 2 years ago
The new Norton lineup deserves more than these few seconds worth of footage.
I'll check the test in another magazine, thank you very much.
Marillionado 2 years ago
norton 750 commando are better!!!!!!!!!
bombarolo1 2 years ago
sounds kinda like a ducati 900 SS from 93,
althought the Norton is more comfy and I think more tradtional looking,
kirkconway 2 years ago
What a load of S**T, decent bikes deserve decent coverage. Worlds first ride. what 3 secs, thanks for nothing. Stick to writing your weekly rag.
rocoepecotrain 2 years ago 3
new bike same old engine no chance
sambo2566 2 years ago
What an achievement. I hope they do well with these bikes. I'ts amazing to me how stringent the enviro standards are and that these guys were still able to come to mkt with a bike that's cool, affordable and sportable. I see that Southbay is a dealer for these?
Was reading some time back about the new owner, sounds like he's ready to move on from this bike after limited production. I really hope these guys race these bikes. Glad they're back in UK were they belong. Good luck Norton, Im in.
austntexan 2 years ago
Comment removed
maggotpuke 2 years ago
Looking down on some of the comments,lets put aside,i would rather,and its got shit clocks,,etc.This is a Norton back on home soil and being made in Donnington and people want it!!!Give these guys a chance,its a new Norton....what more do people want,add extras at your own discresion...
SpeedTriple59 2 years ago
Now that sounds like a motorcycle.
Speedytrip 2 years ago
Close, but not quite there yet. I'd rather buy a Mk II and fix it up, or even a new Triumph Thruxton.
It's the rear end of this bike. It just isn't right.
louisvonbeethoven 2 years ago
sounds and looks awesome.. I imagine how wonderful it would be with a john player special decal..
agnellone 2 years ago
sounds good, but inguardabile
fastuned 2 years ago
I think they missed the boat on this one. They've been promising it for so long, that the whole modern retro has been done by both Triumph and Ducati in the meantime. Everyone that lusted after the 961 already bought a Paul Smart Sport Classic for less money. That's why you ought to get your shit together before you announce to the world that you're bringing back Norton, instead of announcing it, taking orders and then trying to build some bikes with that cash.
vatoencabronado 2 years ago
sounds awesome
powersliding 2 years ago
Who plays the music?
dronez396 2 years ago
Blasphemy! Leave the Norton marquee alone, don't turn it into a f*cking "modern sports bike" with no character to speak of.
angerismymiddlename 2 years ago
Youve got serious problems. With no exception everyone of my mates think this bike is fantastic. Go back to polishing and arguing about the right pinstripes at shows.I expect you hate all the hinkley triumphs aswell. Original bonnie , 4oo honda and God forbid 89 harley sportster owner.Should I burn them now then hang myself to please you people?
fletcherc1 2 years ago
A little touchy, eh mate?
Who cares what people think?
KutWrite 2 years ago
Best looking bike ever.......apart from my Cagiva X Raptor
DubBot 2 years ago
i think it looks a little skeletal compaired to other bikes like the cb900 (not that i'm saying the cb looks better) just this bike might look better if it had more of a presence
LocustsAreSwarming 2 years ago
lol u fucking asshole
alienmode 2 years ago
ha the cb900 looks like something you could buy at toys'r'us with all that fake looking plastic shit and goofy slant on it. does not look like a classic at all
carwiz008 2 years ago
i didnt say it held a candel to a good classic, i just said it didnt look like you glued twigs to an engine and wheels
LocustsAreSwarming 2 years ago
I have a duc sportclassic and...oh it's painful...i...might...buy this thing, when it comes out. Thats a beautiful bike.
followtheherdtoo 2 years ago
mate Im 57 and owed 3 commandos in my youth but know nothing of these new nortons
ctitchley3819 2 years ago
It's got a pushrod engine... oh dear.
£14,999 on the road price... oh dear.
BunnyUK 2 years ago 23
Agreed Maybe one day a commando with the new rotary in it? Atleast an updated engine. Im praying the Norton comes back into production properly
reubs1982 2 years ago
@BunnyUK
How f****** much!!? Sod that.
milkminotaur 1 year ago 4
@BunnyUK Nothing wrong with pushrod engines, mate. My 72 Commando Combat and it had BAGS of torque. just because it doesn't rev to 10,000 rpm doesn't mean it didnt go fast. Mine did. :)
HaggisPowah 1 year ago
i want
buckethed 2 years ago
BSA 175 was my first bike....then CB250 4cyl
the good old days haha..bring them back !!!
oneshot461 2 years ago
Comment removed
ikenbetter 2 years ago
inane
ikenbetter 2 years ago
totally inane
ikenbetter 2 years ago
Hi. I had a 750 Norton Commando in my youth and to this day it was the most exciting bike I ever owned. Right shifter and all! Not the fastest but the handling was great and the isolastic motor mounts were just too cool. Like a typical kid, I broke it (transmission) and sold it because I could not afford to fix it. $400. Dumb!
Pentaquark 2 years ago
I'm 17 and I love classic motorcycles. I've been working on a 1975 Honda CB 550F. I would kill for a Commando! Anyways, I'm glad to see Norton back in the game. I hope they are still made in the UK.
ManxAce500 2 years ago
I can see why some are disapointed by this bike and some love it and they're both right. But if Norton dont capitalise on this and start building brand new designs that will appeal and sell to todays riders then they will neer be a major player(I know that would be a long way off). If they are happy producing bespoke and nieche market bikes then good on em, but I would'nt trade my Yam in for one because they are not offering me what I want. Just hoping it's a foretaste of things to come.
cosmicrayturbo 2 years ago
Forget this shit and sort out a rotary race rep with 180bhp
r1wantone 2 years ago 3
sounds a bit like a CB500 when it goes into the bend
ikenbetter 2 years ago 3
Welcome to Jurassic Park!
1fjmart1 2 years ago 2
I like it. They stayed within the boundaries of what a Norton is, or used to be back in the day. You want a Norton, you get a Norton. If it was totally redesigned, it would be something else with the Norton name on it. People would say it was a start-up trying to capitalize on someone else's marque.
barkulator 2 years ago
What Norton used to be? Thats my point. Honda used to build old fashioned bikes but they kept up with the times and didnt stick there head in the sand and they are still aound. Another Britmarque building upto date bikes for all sectors of the market is where they should be going. Im hoping they are just doing the old school thing to kick start the company off. Can you imagine tooling around on a brand new cutting edge version of the comando. Which is as good or better than your mates japasonic?
cosmicrayturbo 2 years ago
the bike is ok , but they should haved modernized or improved the valve train its way too noisy! hydraulic lifters would have been a good step or perhaps a overhead cam, it doesnt make sense! they improved the chassis etc but left the engine halfbaked, shame.
mac163 2 years ago 2
Yeah I see what your saying but I cant help thinking that building similar to what they built 30 or 40 years ago is just going to repeat history and they will go the way of the other Brit bikes marques of that era. Build it for now and build it contempory and you will be able to sell to todays market. Perhaps thats where they are going with this bike just being a tentative first step. I hope so. I would love to be able to buy a modern up to date commando.
cosmicrayturbo 2 years ago
The Thruxton is the closest anyone has come to the Norton Commando in what...20 yrs? I say hats off and bring it on! look fwd to seeing this great marque resurrected.
Hammerninenineseven 2 years ago
I like the look of this bike. I also think that I just WANT to like the look of this bike due to a sense of patriotic romance. What I dont like is the archaic engineering. I'm not saying it's bad, I am just saying it's not to my taste. I think that if Norton were to look forward rather than back they would be able to build a more comercial bike. But I understand they are shit out of cash and need monies in advance to build you a bike. Treat it as a first rung on the ladder of hopefull success.
cosmicrayturbo 2 years ago
Do both. Over half of Triumph's range is new-vintage. I think it's a safe bet to sell the Commando in tandem with maybe one new bike. Two or three years from now they could make a Norton equivalent of the D675, Tiger, S3.
finstervonshamrock 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
my god, your videos are pure wank
nicks3607 2 years ago
Sex on wheels.................
23vin850 2 years ago 4
This video doesn't show crap for the first test ride, which blows
interceptereater 2 years ago 4
I think they're just teasing us so we'll read the magazine.
KutWrite 2 years ago
The new company is making a fair effort, I suppose; although the way things are heading with environmental concerns maybe they should divert all the r&d money they're blowing on the rotary race engine for an electric unit, maybe straight out of a Dyson, but then it wouldn't be British made anymore .....:)
Anyway, my Morini 350 sport series 1 is just way way better looking and sounding than the new Norton.
ikenbetter 2 years ago
sure ... and some people prefer Britney Spears to ACDC
ozbt63 2 years ago 4
Comment removed
ikenbetter 2 years ago
Comment removed
ikenbetter 2 years ago
acdc suck and britney spears probably sucks..
ikenbetter 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
sounds like a bag of shite for that is what it is
dearchap 2 years ago
This bike is a piece of art! And as such will be provoking strong emotions positive and negative. For Norton fans around the world the 961, is a myth, a long sought after dream. I'll sell any bike I have, the moment this bike finally becomes available, to finance the purchase of my very own Norton Commando 961. For me it is truly mesmerizing!
Azariphale82 2 years ago 3
so when did u get hired at norton marketing department
fatcat669 2 years ago
I made a sweet deal; I support the dedicated effort to revive a motorcycle legend into a modern yet stylish incarnation. And i might get an opportunity to purchase their product;-)
Azariphale82 2 years ago
piece of art it is not. it's not too bad but it's not art cretin
ikenbetter 2 years ago
I still prefer to go fast on a slower bike than slow on a faster bike. anytime.
increibleperocierto 2 years ago 2
same argument i hear from old farts all the time
aint nothing wrong with having a fast bike and going fast on it im still gonna pass you on the straights corners you name it
fatcat669 2 years ago
I'm talking about my own preferences. there is nothing wrong with having a fast bike. you will definitely pass me anytime my dear because you are the best. what is the speed limit in canada anyway?
increibleperocierto 2 years ago
still got that old british block look . all my mates thougt the same when we were 16 so had to be fs1e rd200 rd400e the british bike industry just did not get it
shedhead40 2 years ago
How many times did it break down and how much oil did it leak?
bigbadnewman 2 years ago
LoL what shitty bikes you been rideing. I hope your not implying that british bikes break down and leak oil all of the time.
dannycarter85 2 years ago
no not that what iam saying is the british bikes were old ,slow, and shit how old are you danny 24 nuff said
shedhead40 2 years ago
Hold up little fella, just because im 24 that means I dont know my classic bikes! Forgive me for being ignorant but you were only just born when some of the best bikes came out too. I may be from a generation that has become use to cheap jap crap, but i still apreciate the old bikes alot. I agree that there has been some horrible british bikes in the past, but theres also been some right crackers.
Regards
dannycarter85 2 years ago 2
I don't like this bike.
kj7687 2 years ago
Development by Norton Motorsports Kenny dreer & his team from Oregon U.S.A.Norton racing U.K will take all over for production before end of the year 2009.A Beautiful Good Looking Bike! I will own one if can.I hope so.Sexist Bike Of The Year!
DommiSlimline 2 years ago
Not Kenny Dreer, not anyone, no one can make such a Norton successful...
FORDHAM4U 2 years ago
funny how some say it's beautiful and some say ugly. Touch of the cafe racer about it maybe. I like it, but can't afford any such bike.
nogginthefroggin 2 years ago
sounds gooood
MTBSCOTS4EVA 2 years ago 3
nice bike, good luck to it.
shudnobeta 2 years ago 3
same ol rattling piece of shyte with bolt on bling to disguise the fact you will be mopping up oil from underneath the engine...when you have finished pushing it home of course..make sure your breakdown cover is up to date if you buy one of these relics
pmay222 2 years ago
That's a gorgeous bike.
ryatb84 2 years ago 3
this is the future.
bobsdad52 2 years ago 2
Cobblers !
It's already the past.
That bike was built between 6 and 8 years ago and has been sat in a lock-up for the last three years following the US company that was going to build it going bust.
TheMightyGusset 2 years ago
Nice to see some metal for a change!!!!!!!!!!
doflicky104 2 years ago 3
Thank god for this motorcycle just when i was starting to think how boring motorcycles look these days,
doflicky104 2 years ago 3
LOVE IT! Sounds amazing... hmmm should I give up my KTM thumper for this?...... Me thinks I might.
clevername333 2 years ago
Where are the 100 peaces, built in Oregon?
Are they for sale or...............?
Are there some bikes around Europe?
I realy like it :)
OliverFormula400 2 years ago
twin cylinder, 2 valves per cylinder push rod operated, twin carbs, 5 speed. Who in 2009 wants to buy old technology? This is why british motorcycles failed.
900tdmman 2 years ago 3
it might be old tech mate but some people like that sentimental ol school charm.its called goin retro and it doesnt just apply to bikes.and british bikes never failed,they actually set the standard in some cases.just look at the daytona 675.best middle class bike you can get
truckie933 2 years ago
well said Truckie. Its a great looking bike. We can't expect every sports bike rider to understand the whole retro and old school charm can we? you'll turn more heads and get more admiring looks on that than a new R1 or Blade any day. this coming from a zx9 owner. easy bro.
Knightley79 2 years ago
I'm not a sports rider and I'm old enough to have seen the demise of british bikes. Triumph new range is a far cry from the old push rod 2 valve engines they used to make. Nowerdays they even have monoshock suspension. Norton have to wake up if they want a fraction of the retro market. Bonnieville is an example of good retro, so it can be done.
900tdmman 2 years ago
Stop being an idiot i wouldnt hesitate to buy one of these if i had the money.
This looks like a fun little machine to piss around on. This sport cant always be so bloody serious.
dynamicz108 2 years ago
dynamicz, why is everyone you disagree with an idiot? You need to grow up.
900tdmman 2 years ago
Because people need to stop being so critical, its whats ruining this world
Anyhow its a hot little machine
dynamicz108 2 years ago
Norton have no plans to take over the retro market just yet. Bet they'll sell them though. People who buy these bikes won't be thrashing the tits off them, no sirree Bob, They'll just be cruising round. could have been a liquid cooled overhead cam motor but they wanted to retain some of the old character. Don't know why thats hard for some to understand but hey, everyone has their opinion. Front and rear ohlins and brembo stoppers? come on dude, give it some credit. Take it easy old fella
Knightley79 2 years ago
If Norton dont want the retro market why build air cooled, ohv, 5 speed, antiquity. Surprised they dont fit drum brakes as well. hahaha
900tdmman 2 years ago
Lovely bike, but: it really sounds like, and correct me if I'm wrong, they put a 180 or 270 degree crank in it to make it sound like a V2, which it isn't. From an engineer's point of view, this is total bullocks, and makes the engine worse: worse balance and worse firing intervals. Norton never did this, it's only marketing.
But perhaps it only sounds like that.
GerwinChita 2 years ago
Yep, 270 deg crank I believe. Not sure why they've done this but a 270 crank might have some advantages that I don't understand. Liked the old 360 myself. Anyway, it looks a cracking bike. Great to see the name back - I know I'd love to own one.
strone955 2 years ago 7
It gives less vibration,yamaha had 270 deg crank on their 850 trx parralel twin.
Also triumph were looking into this design way back in the sixties , god knows why they didnt persevere.
binky4647 2 years ago
Shame they can't make it sound as good as the old bikes... 360 deg crank wouldn't be too bad with balancer shafts
upforlastnameleft 2 years ago
I totally LOVE this cycle - Video is useless !
alloypony01 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
UGLY BIKE
brucuro 2 years ago
damn, she's beautiful!
shaxan 2 years ago 3
awesome bike
xkillaz18x 2 years ago
nice lookin ride, love the classic styled bikes, the Ducati Classic, the new Honda CB1000 Classic, the Triumph Thruxton and even the Harley Roadster 883
Now I love this Norton.
earthboundcruiser 2 years ago
wow i didnt know about this it is very interesting you see this is one of the reasons why i like you tube its such a great learning tool.
Chick6517 2 years ago
Thanks to bring back Norton!
ttfan33 2 years ago 3
Proper Mans bike - Definitely not for for Faggots
huntmaster111 2 years ago 4
they can sell mabe 1 or 2 a year!!!!!!! 2 cylinder air cooled wow what a genius!!!!!!!!!!!and how many speed on that ? 3 or 4
claudefortin23 2 years ago
Mehhh I dont like it but it is also not really my style of bike.
Kind of sounds cheap to me also, but who knows it is probably a nice bike
HuffPCair 2 years ago
It still sounds like a bag of bolts and it has twin shocks to create rubbish handling, no doubt.
900tdmman 2 years ago
Bollocks
Pantah583 2 years ago 2
thats exactly what it is - bollocks, and thats why Norton wont succeed
900tdmman 2 years ago
Glad to see an old name revived, I'll be happy to give it the time of day, Rob
robjota 2 years ago 2
yes ftpaddict, its a typical Norton, nothing works on it, lol
backagain666 2 years ago
I like how the rev counter doesn't budge when he's revving the engine.
FWIW, 0:37
ftpaddict 2 years ago
Good eye.
DucatiMo22 2 years ago
@ftpaddict
Hah! I wouldn't have noticed that one. Good eye.
soap0688 2 years ago
Comment removed
jubstar 2 years ago
Does that change my observations in any way?
ftpaddict 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
When Triumph launched the 800 Bonneville, people asked why they didn't make it as their first model when the Hinckley factory opened in '91. They replied that if they had, they would have been thought of as simply a manufacturer of retro-kitsch and wouldn't have been taken seriously. They had to build something modern first. Although I wish New New Norton all the best, I fear that this is exactly how they will be judged.
armours 2 years ago 3
Comment removed
armours 2 years ago
nice bike like the colour
yamimk 2 years ago
nasty looking ;-(
robinphillips 2 years ago
What a crappy video. Four seconds of the bike in action and some dull-arse cack for the other 50.
Why? Did it break?
DBRacingGod 2 years ago
it's a preview, just buy the magazine
counter37 2 years ago
Why? Was there more video in the magazine?
And, actually, it's a newspaper. And no - it wasn't any more illuminating than the video, frankly.
DBRacingGod 2 years ago
that looks dreadful. Its 2009 for goodness sake, surely they could have designed something more elegant than that! I am staggered. It doesnt even look 'retro' it just looks home made!
morgan349 2 years ago
looks really really good actually. :) and generally i'm only interested in big fast bikes, but i like this. sounds like a 20 year old chainsaw though lol
IanRossDavies 2 years ago 2
this bike has been held up too long but it still looks good. it is finally hitting the streets which it thoroughly deserves. sceptical about the pushrod twin though but i guess it is designed for a selected market
powersliding 2 years ago
I like it. I think it looks good and I'm glad their back.
reddevil3019 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
if you like this you'll like jafooly, the biggest new talent around. just click my name and watch the vids!!!
Jafoolymusic 2 years ago
A decent look at the bike would have been appreciated.
SIMBER9 2 years ago 3
to right
rhys21kipling 2 years ago 2
Looks like something built from spares out of your dads shed! Bet they don't flog many of them.
GSF02 2 years ago 3
Comment removed
jubstar 2 years ago
Does it have a box to collect the grass.
Initontool 2 years ago
First Ride, wow! 4 seconds. thanks
A1motorcycles 2 years ago
Watched it again and it doesn't seem to like down changes either.
TO0OMUCHTIME<