Norton Commando 961 SE first ride

[industrialkhaos]

$31,990 Australian dollars!  Fuck that.

[modderfreak]

was this bike ever sold? didn't see one in austria

[critchley3819]

This rider is a GOOSE, would not have a clue, Im 60 and owned three early Commands one brand new, I do believe I could have done this test ride and explained it better and probably rode it better around those extra wide bends, now everyone is going to say that Im a know it all and thats fine but if you knew me you would understand what Im on about..

[sniperwolf883]

I remember going to my local bike shop in 1976 and seeing a brand new 1975 Norton Commando for $1995, DAMN, and I bought a Yamaha instead.

[sooupdragon]

oops, who couldn't find neutral at 1:44 then? hey? :o)

[XKSS]

WORST SOUND...the west coast promo man should be tarred and feathered

[harryt140e]

Beautiful piece of British engineering! I love it.

[Gidenkidenk]

is mcncompare only for UK?

[gyrate4]

If I was rich, very rich, I'd have one.

[IMOLEGREGG]

Why on earth dont they 'do' something with the Norton rotary engine, now that would be a unique, interesting, competitive proper British sportbike to take on the world. All this retro bollocks has been done to death by triumph already.

[alanbstard4]

@IMOLEGREGG I thin k their was a concern that the engine was an ugly thing in naked form. I agree though, it would be an efficient bike

[cuppateadee]

have big end problems been sorted

[boubepo]

Anyone over five foot six looks ridiculous riding one of these [which is 95% of the UK male population - come on Norton get a grip!

[killbielski]

wasn kackteil xD

[conanhayle]

over priced with poor engineering,

[rcfirdy]

@RaymondFRevalee ....the bike or the tester?

[rompowertube]

damn that thing is badass!!! :P

[GRUMPYGRETS]

I was expecting a lot more and I guess it is what it is!! and if I had the money I would not be buying one anytime soon, looks ok for the retro guys. Fz1 more my type of fun. Hope it sells well as that might lead to better bike from norton in the future.

[mello27]

why is he always keeping the right leg out when not in a turn

[GregDucati]

i love norton is it left foot brake? like the old english? 

[cynic150]

This video is over-exposed, even though it is a black bike.

I really don't think it a good idea to put this crappy inane music on it. Most people will agree with me- they would prefer to hear the sound of the bike.

[sooupdragon]

@thakery1 an oil leak? fuck that. they are taking the piss asking 16 grand for a bike that pisses oil down your leg.

[derbbus]

Cost's twelve grand. Thats seven grand for the bike and five for Norton logo on the side !

[sooupdragon]

@derbbus £15,999.99 on the Norton website... call it 16 grand, so seven grand for the bike and nine for the Norton logo on the side.....

[sooupdragon]

well they are selling them, but only to rich people, or people blowing all their savings on overpriced nostalgia.

[exilog]

for £12000 they wont have many customers !

[War10ck1004]

it would be even better with a long stroke...

[CHASCARTER1]

I just want to hear the bike,why do they pump in the music?Its like every other motor tv prog.

[Will84ABA]

sound quality of this video is shit!!!

[alanbstard4]

why would Norton give the first ride to a bloke who has his right knee stuck out even on the straight?

[KOPP6650]

@alanbstard4 His knee sticks out because he's engaging Norton's new ballsack a/c

[alanbstard4]

@KOPP6650 lol fair ehough. I thougt it was because he couldn't ride

[gunmanscotland]

@alanbstard4 Fuck knows, the guy looks a total fucking retard...infact anyone who rides bikes like that look like total retards.

[alanbstard4]

@gunmanscotland the arse of the new Norton looks so different. A bit weird

[gunmanscotland]

@alanbstard4 Yes it does look rather daft, very aprillia RS style i think? Could be worse though :)

[angerismymiddlename]

Total bullshit. No match for the real thing – the original Commando.

[DRxK]

I like it. Looks bad ass.Sound quality issues aside I would STILL get a set of pipes for it. It needs some more beef.

[trident1702]

I can't understand why it should be so difficult to get the sound working properbly! And maybe the pilot should learn to sit on a mo'cicle!

And to get everything straight, this is the UK made model. The product from the states was scrapped! They obviously don't know how to make motorcycles overthere!

[pennisaurus]

sounds like diesel

[brznzzy]

Cement Mixer,? £16,000,, yer fekn crazy

[Brainiac83]

Looks like siting on a bench.Strange siting position.Back to the drawing board.Not to mention  it sounds like bucket of bolts grinding.

[badmonkeyfood]

Pretty sure this is not the Norton out of the US. The engine case and the triple clamp look completely different to the US prototype.

[katheworsley]

This Norton was the one produced and ridden in Oregon, USA and was the prototype, not the production model. Let's get the gacts straight.

[505197]

You don't fit the bike and riding with your legs splayed out makes it look very odd really. We tend to forget most bike racers were damn near midgets, you must be over 6 ft tall, or hands or whatever the fuck you measure with over there lol. Stones and sticks lol. Gimmie my GS anyday, I might want to ride to Dakkar tomorrow.

[crash86ed]

@505197 The rider looks incredibly tense...

[rowgun500]

@505197 extremely well said.lol

[joseamoares]

I prefer Norton Mannx 500

[sooupdragon]

It could be just me, but it looks like he is riding one of those mini-bikes. I didn't realize it was so miniscule.

[cynic150]

I agree, the sound is lousy on this recording.

He said the bike is good but did not seem over the moon exactly.

There are many other things he did not mention. And what about a road trial? It is bound to feel different in traffic. No pillion seat? Is this the only colour?

[ermestosobalatronca]

Beautiful bike. I wish all brands start making bikes like this, the bonneville and the ducati classic sports.

[cfodk]

It looks great. But you could take a bonneville and spend 5k - and you would have an equally beautiful bike .... and the proper engineering. I ride a Ducati GT1000 because I think a retro sportsbike also should be sporty to ride. The Commando lacks 20-30 hp to be a "riders bike" rather than a "posers bike".

[TheTwistedGypsy]

so whats the speed in gears number, top end,HP, and how many HP did the pipes steal ....

[gm16v149]

For God's sake make a new video with some proper sound. That's what we want to hear. It's a beautiful bike. Norton's own DVD that you can download from their site lets you hear what it really sounds like...and it sounds great. With a staggered firing order it sounds a bit like a Ducati, nothing like the old 650SS I used to have.

[ethansloan]

i love norton bikes. best racing cycles out there. way better than all the jap crap

[TheKingKrawczyk]

shouldn't be worth $20,000.

[manxpompom]

enfin elle revient....

[kicsiistvan01]

the sound sux

[masvx]

If you'd add some on-the-bike video the piece would be much more engaging. Also, what's it like on an actual road? Buzzy, ergos, etc.

[spitfirerobinson]

Aaaahhh, the sound is like they used a cell phone to record the video. You'd think with all that money they'd buy a proper camera with good sound quality.

[flygiordano]

nice bike!!!! How much?

[choopdewoot]

@flygiordano bout 15,000 usd and bout 12,000 euros.

[ghseby]

wow! its a nice bike

[kernowrock555]

gutted. the door opens ...she looks good.... dab the starter.,... sounds like an exploding lawn mower.... oh dear.....:(

[mrbrunse]

i love this bike. my only concerns are:

1. price

2. spare parts availability (theres no retail network yet what makes the price out of the question)

but it´s my personal compensation of Buell´s going out of business.

[NightHawk2007100]

Do they still have that cheap ass Lucas electrical system

[frenchwv]

"Gorgeous rear end." Hahaha.

[lotuselanplus2s]

Looks great,i'd love one,but it sounds like shit,what is wrong with the riders right leg,its out there in the wind instead of by the tank,lol,what he aint wash it in a while???????

[kennethj1956]

It doesn't sound like any Norton I remember including my own 1969 750 commando.

[SirGeorgiePorgie]

I´m not surprised, it´s just the typical modern copy of a british twin, made by some rich guy that´s bought the manufacturing rights of this once great marque...

(Commando MK3 made in England, -the real thing- owner!)

[64g15csr]

dont forget gentlemen.....nortons are not for everyone!!!!!!

[carlsfenderbender]

I'd have one in a flash , Starting at $17,899! from US distributors, thats about $20k Australian, Great investment, my 1973 Commando bought for 1000 quid is now worth about $18,000 Aussie, nice.

[64g15csr]

@carlsfenderbender ...good luck getting 18K for ya commando

[cott10r]

This bike is going to flop like a fish.

[LJohno13]

@cott10r initial run sold out almost immediately, orders are apparently piling up for the standard version.

[eyeinthesky72]

This bike looks sweet but the 26K US tag? Sounds like the rods are coming out of the block in 2000 miles. I hope the audio on this vid sucks or Stuart Garner Can go back to the drawing board. I love the vintage Nortons! Stuart produce more sell for less so we can all enjoy!!!!

[eyeinthesky72]

I hope the audio sucks on this vid otherwise the rods are coming out of the block in 2000 miles! I love the vintage Nortons! This is one sweet looking bike I hope it can live up to the history of the well made machines from the past.Just a note to Stuart Garner the 26K US is like buying a Lambo or Ferrari lets be reasonable? The 1968 P11 Scrambler was $1100.00. Produce more sell them for less and you will be much more very well known!

[ozbt63]

I love Nortons but I cant get over that gap above the back wheel - makes it look like a jap dirt bike

[binky4647]

Badge engineering , but this bike still has a resemblance of old commando with better brakes.

I want one too.

Hope it lasts.

A norton motard x flat tracker would get the blood going.

[varoparm]

arte allo stato puro, pero andrebbe provata, be il motore mi sembra come sempre impiccato...

[YuriOnAMustang]

questo è quello che io intendo per Moto (con la M maiuscola!)!!

[waspfarmer]

I sat on one Kenny Dreer took to the INOA ralley in Oregon and it is adequaltely comfortable and has a good rider position for a sporty machine. It wasn't running at the time so I can't comment on the sound, but:

[ENRIQUEGOITIA]

i do not like the sound of the engine! it sounds like it lacking some screws. it does look nice though in a static position

[vithaj92]

@ENRIQUEGOITIA Change exhaust and it sounds like belsebub.

[sallhame]

Nice bike, but too expensive to become a success, I am afraid. But I'd be more than happy to park one beside my 1975 MkIII Commando Roadster.

[spidiq8]

Gorgeous looking machine.

The sound is very dissapointing though, a set of reverse cones on there would make the world of difference and the engine does sound rough.

[hyomickgt650]

Whats with the knee sticking out all the time. You could have at least made an effort and put some old skool leathers on for the occasion.

Bike looks good though - I bloody want one

[fenrirOZ]

It looks like those bike that Xmen Wolverine would ride on. Classic.

[RickOAA]

So it's got classic look and sound...all part of the experience. A good set of pipes will drown out most of the mechanical clatter, anyway.

It sure didn't get rode hard.

[VadersDarkside]

Beautiful machine, if my numbers come up tonight ill be ordering one on monday. Failing that ill start saving.

[sicknwrong]

its a nice bike ...could be the recording but it sounds like a bag of bolts in a blender.

[grapes008]

@sicknwrong thats the sound of old school cool, and partialy the bad recording

[13xBlackSun]

''You'' sounds so similar to ''view'' , hehe :)

[13xBlackSun]

I wish motorcycles wouldn't be always filmed by ELFs :I I am a grown human with a higher perspective and would like to see cycles also from my point of you. I do believe that majority of buyers are higher than 5 feet!

[2wheels2fast]

sounds like a washing machine full of nuts a bolts,he nearly grounded down that exhaust

[narcan74]

ahahaha

[toilit]

Love it!!!!!!!!!!!

[powersliding]

this bike has been around for ages yet it still looks good, the original idea was a 952 commando with monoshock. looks waaaaaaaay better than the tri thruxton but the engine sounds really harsh. push-rod air cool, noisy valvetrain

[rocketpunch12210]

DO WANT!

[chammpuzz]

love retro bikes... love my triple

[joewarcupinhull]

i dont think its the bike making that sound, tbh i think its the camera's, even the Ducati Demosedici sounds crap on this.

no offense MCN

[powersliding]

push rod clacking away

[carpenter751]

This is a nice bike that would go head to head with the likes of the ducati 1000gt and the triumph thruxton but both triumph and ducati have new modern products to offer. This is a retro bike and should be compared to others in its class. To compare this to a modern sports bike is like comparing an old muscle car to the latest sports car they are just not in the same category.

[foxholeathiest]

I'd own one in a second. They better get a production run to this side of the pond after the pre-orders.

On another note, there's nothing wrong with building a retro bike. Ducati Moto Guzzi and triumph do it, and HD is pretty much entirely 'trading on its history'. Want a more modern Norton? There's always the NRV588.

[governator45]

Looks nice.

[techdeckrider]

that sounds like a lot og piston slap

[UltraSWG]

Worst exhaust note ever.

[XtraKryspy]

That is a badass looking bike.

[cbr900RR1977]

SWEET!!!! Love it....

[hellicks]

Traditional, lovely ... rattlebox. Except for hardcore fans nobody's gonna buy it. Sorry, but the world gave it a few spins while the Norton guys fiddled with that in their garage.

[biz360]

agreed, thats the whole problem. norton need to look to the future, they cant trade on their history forever

[BrantFortunate]

nice bike. but its doesnt look very comfortable. lol.

[horsedood13]

Anyone who don't like this bike needs to take their piece of crap new Harley or Vstar and go soak yer head at some poof bike party......LMAO

NORTON ROCKS!.......always has.....still does.

:)

[biz360]

handling looks crap and it sounds like a tractor. purely nostalgic crap, build a norton for 2010, not 1910

[dmunoz12]

youre right the bike has a fat sound and its fun to ride

but why do you say crap to such a nice bike when you like it so much?

oh i forgot fuck you

[biz360]

nice reply, very intelligent

[biz360]

if you came forward with intellgent comment as to why you have a diffrerent opinion, i would have shown you some respect and said i disagree, but i respect your point of view. but instead you made a comment that i would expect from a 5yr old

[stjaxx]

it's kinda small?

[Buttmunch5000]

that bike is amazing, excuse the rubbish sound quality, if you heard it in real life it would sound better

[sampsalol]

Looks pretty good in it's own way and it's prolly comfortable but damn it sounds bad. I'd buy a sportsbike over this.

[kevlarian]

Is it me, or does this thing sound like a crap load of bolts and bits rattling around...

[ftpaddict]

That's 15K's worth of bolts and bits rattling around.

[watanabehefuml]

nice bike...but £15k? they're dreaming methinks

[clevername333]

I want this.......... badly...... very badly.