If Ferrari has proven that the manufacturing of low volume, unique, and expensive automobiles can be a successful business plan during a recession (if you keep your volume low enough, there are always buyers for a special product, despite its price), Norton may be proving the same thing in the motorcycle market. According to a report posted by MCN, Norton is hiring additional employees to support its transition to the production and promotion of two new models based on the existing Commando 961 SE (pictured above), which is already available here in the U.S. for $17,899 (with wire wheels) or $19,499 (with carbon fiber wheels).
It will be interesting to see what demographic these bikes ultimately appeal to most, particularly the age group. The original Norton Commando was one of the most lusted-after products of the “baby boomer” generation here in the U.S. (now in its late 40s, and older). The bikes were promoted with memorable advertising that included gorgeous women draped over them. If you read popular motorcycle magazines here in the U.S. as a young man in the 1970s, and had a relatively normal level of testosterone, I am sure you can picture one or more of these advertisements in your mind today. We took the liberty of locating one such ad on the web, which we reproduced below. If you want to see more classic Norton advertising (and who doesn’t), visit this site.
The Norton brand is a special one for a number of reasons, but can it take its retro looks and iconic status with older riders and translate that into sales to a younger generation? My guess is it can.
Norton Commando 961 SE Specs
- Frame
- Frame : Steel tubular cradle with integral oil tank
- Swing arm: steel construction
- Wheelbase: 1420mm (55.9 in)
- Rake: 24.5 degrees
- Trail: 99mm (3.9 in)
- Front suspension: 43mm Ohlins RWU – Adjustable preload, compression, and rebound damping.
- Rear suspension: Ohlins reservoir-style twin shocks – Adjustable ride height, preload, compression, and rebound damping.
- Front wheel: 3.50 X 17″ BST Carbon Fibre
- Rear wheel: 5.50 X 17″ BST Carbon Fibre
- Front tyre: 120/70 X 17″
- Rear tyre: 180/55 X 17″
- Front wheel travel: 115mm (4.53 in)
- Rear wheel travel: 100mm (3.94 in)
- Brakes & Hydraulics
- Brembo 320mm semi-floating hi carbon stainless steel front discs
- Brembo 220mm rear disc
- Brembo 4 piston “Gold Line” axially mounted front callipers
- Brembo 2 piston “Gold Line” rear calliper
- Brembo “Gold line” front brake master cylinder
- Brembo “Gold line” hydraulic clutch master cylinder
- Brembo rear brake master cylinder
- Brembo hydraulic clutch actuation slave cylinder
- Power Assembly
- Engine type: Parallel twin with push-rod valve actuation, dry sump
- Displacement: 961 cc
- Cooling system: Air
- Valve Actuation: Push rod, hydraulic lifter, two valves per cylinder
- Bore x stroke: 88 mm X 79 mm
- Compression ratio: 10.1:1
- Power: 80PS @ 6500RPM
- Torque: 90Nm @ 5200RPM
- Exhaust: 1 3/4″ header system with merged collector and twin silencers with catalytic converters.
- Ignition: Crank fired electronic
- Euro 3 compliant with electronic fuel injection and multiple 3 way catalytic converters
- Carbon Pack
- Front mudguard
- Chain guard
- Rear wheel hugger
- Rear number plate hanger
- Headlight mounting
- Front wheel
- Rear wheel
- Transmission
- Gearbox: constant mesh 5 speed
- Final drive: 525 “O” ring chain
- Wet clutch
- Electric start
- Electronics & Controls
- Charging system: 300 watt hi-output charging system
- Instrumentation: Norton electronic analogue speedo and tachometer with dual trip meters and ‘hidden until lit’ warning lights
- Miscellaneous
- Fuel tank capacity: 17 litres (4.5 US gallon)
- Dry weight: 188kg (414.5 lbs)
- Seat height: 813mm (32 in)
- Billet machined upper yoke
- Billet machined lower yoke
- Tapered aluminium handle bars
£15k is thrice that of a new Bonnie, but it ain’t thrice the bike…
I need this bike! Anyone want to lend an old man some money?
These guys need to follow Triumphs lead , hey how about a Thruxton for aroun 8 grand
I’m a 27 year old motorcycle mechanic, cant afford it, but i’ve bought one. Still waiting for its arrival sometime soon.
My big question ever since I saw these new Nortons is “Where the pillion seat?” Naked and retro bikes generally are great two up bikes, an area that many new motorcycles have ignored.
For this kind of money I can buy a usde Ducati 848 or 999 (Ferrari of motorcycles)and still have money left to buy a classic Norton, the real deal and have the best of both worlds…
Very interesting bike but the price is going to keep the market for it small
if only they would produce and sell a road going rotary street bike……
I had a new 1975 850 with almost electric start. It was wonderful. It wore out fast.
I believe this thing has the same drivetrain. Non-unit construction, wet chain primary drive in separate oil bath on left. Clutch inside, sprockets exposed in the middle on shaft with gearbox off to right.
Tailored for the low wage early 1900s era, hugely expensive to maintain now. They could have made a unit construction that mimics this appearance. Well maybe they did and I am fooled. And maybe with xring chain the sprockets will last 20k or 12 years for average rider.
I wish them very well. My no-money GS500F does the 40 hp trick these days.
If I had Bill Gates’ money I would definitely buy the whole company and unleash them.
Norm G. says:
“The baby boomer generation is all but defunct (as will inevitably be Gen X) so relying solely upon “nostalgia” to sell a bike with a roughly $18k price point will ultimately prove an exercise in futility. I mean does anyone really need to point out the lingering global recession…?
So the question isn’t whether or not you can sell them…? The question is can you sell ENOUGH of them to support the HUGE capital costs and reoccuring overhead of an entity engaged in the modern day business of manufacturing…? If success is your goal, can’t get romantic about these things.”
Sure can’t help thinking about the parallels one could draw between the new Norton & the new $35K hand-built Indian Chiefs. Hmmmmmm…
Just chasing baby boomer bucks like so many other companies these days, nothing new here… I’m 55 years old, BTW, and think the craven catering to BB’s need to relive their youth is just sad.
I’m 43 and find the bike very desirable. I have a 2009 Harley with longer Ohlins rear suspension and Race Tech springs and valves, and a 2001 ATK with Ohlins rear shock and Paoli front suspension. You really do get what you pay for with Ohlins! I would just love to have that front end on my Harley “Sport” aka Street Bob. All the videos I have seen strongly suggest this bike can sound absolutely wonderful, MUCH BETTER, then the new Triumphs that have far too much gear whine. No thanks. The new Norton should handle well too.
I wish Norton the best of luck and hope to see one of these here in the U.S.A. soon. Its not just about dyno charts and pushrods, its about the riding experience sum total! -Tutt
I think you get nearly the same type of retro good looks and name dropping style and even better performance at only two thirds the price with a Ducati GT 1000. I realize performance isn’t the main draw of a machine like this, but it seems to sit in between a bonneville/thruxton and the GT1000 with regards to performance, and costs far more than either of them. Appeal to the younger generation? They do realize the dot com boom is over right?
Too much for too little. Just buy a Norton sticker for your SUV – almost as fast.
The bike has good looks and bad price. I wonder if somebody is thinking about the resurection of BSA Gold Star.
Cool bike, but the Ferrari analogy? I’m not sure that comparison quite fits, though I think if Erik Buell can get back up and running in small-scale production with his 1190RR, he could be closer to fitting the Ferrari model.
Whatever happened to rotary Norton that was recently touted? Is that project still alive? That bike had my interest.
Too pricey but I do like the air between the frame and the side covers. Trying to figure out how to clean up that area on my Hinckley Bonneville.
Q: Can it appeal to the younger generation…?
A: No, the commando 961 SE cannot appeal to Gen Y (at least not as a business case). Truth be told it barely appeals to myself. I am 40.5 year old Gen X’er who perfectly bridges the gap between the baby boomer generation and Gen Y.
Here in the future year 2010/2011, nothing short of producing the sinfully delicious Rotary NRV588 can revive the Norton marque. Do that, and they at least have a genuine two-pronged attack of both “nostalgia” and “technology” to crow about in their marketing.
The baby boomer generation is all but defunct (as will inevitably be Gen X) so relying solely upon “nostalgia” to sell a bike with a roughly $18k price point will ultimately prove an exercise in futility. I mean does anyone really need to point out the lingering global recession…?
So the question isn’t whether or not you can sell them…? The question is can you sell ENOUGH of them to support the HUGE capital costs and reoccuring overhead of an entity engaged in the modern day business of manufacturing…? If success is your goal, can’t get romantic about these things.
As for the term “Younger Generation”: I am guessing that term would refer to people that were too young to afford one the last time Nortons were widely available. Those people are fifty years old now. They just got laid off there job, their home is in foreclosure, the kids are in college,….and they still can’t afford a Norton. The generation that did ride Nortons are turning seventy, and they are losing their memory of these relics.
I don’t know…you could put those shocks and breaks on a Thruxton for less money.
I would prefer a six speed transmission, also.
LOVE the looks. I also would balk at the price. Hell, I think $12-14K for a 2V monster is wrong. Once Hinkley Trumpet Co. gets their act together, and adds some real thrust to the thruxton, then you’ll get the same performance and 80% of the style.
You’d think they would at least have wiped the fingerprints off the shiny bits for the pictures…
judging by the comments here, if they can be taken as any indicator, the problem with various revivals of Norton over the years is that the people who would really like to have one (including me; it is lovely to look at) are exactly the sort of people who would rather rebuild/resto- one on their own.
maybe they left these fingerprints to appeal to the sort of folks that used to be inclined to work on things, and now only pretend that they are
I am just tired of hearing about one more comeback of Norton.
I’d love to have another Commando (my 1974 Roadster was t-boned at an intersection by a stopsign-runner). I hope the “new” Norton company can stay in business long enough for me to eventually pick up a good pre-owned 961. I wish it was kick-start only though.
Ferrari? Nope. Morgan.
I agree – you hit the nail on the head, and you know Morgan have a huge waiting list for the Plus 8 so who cares if young people buy it or not ? The price is obviously designed to keep ownership exclusive. No-one has said, “Man that’s ugly” but many have said, “it’s too pricey for me”. I’d be very interested to know how many they sell in the first twelve months and how the re-sale value is after 3 or 4 years. Then we’ll know if it’s Morgan, Aston Martin or Caterham.
PS, such a shame about the colour of the fork lowers – if only it was colour matched to the rest of the gold on the bike.
Demographics-wise, I’m 37; been riding for ’bout 20 years. Started on a UJM m (81 CB650), went harley briefly, back to honda, then sport bikes once i moved to Cali (mostly Yamaha and now, Ducati as well).
I’ve coveted these Norton things since I first saw one, maybe 10 years ago now, at some show! It’s never been really clear whether they were in business, or not.
But, the price is the thing for me too. I accept it’s handbuilt, exclusive and pretty damn sexy, but at the better part of $20k; not gonna happen.
Rather build up an original to my specs
Saw one in person last week. Love the looks. Hate the price. Too much $$$. Price it $6k less and it will be sitting in my garage. Otherwise I will instead look at getting a Triumph.
The price point is rediculous and will not make the brand relevant to younger buyers. Do what Triumph and Ducati did: combine heritage with value ( yes, value)
I have 4 original commando’s in the garage. A newer version would be nice? The price is the biggest drawback. Just bought my third Hinkley Triumph an 09′ Bonneville. At nearly a third of the price of a 961. I’d have to sell my 4 Commando’s to buy a new 961. Aint’t gonna happen ……….
I’ve wanted a Norton since I was a ten year old and my best friends dad rode his brand new Commando into the yard.
Like the original Harley Sportster, these bikes just look like a proper motorbike. Period.
Sure, looks aren’t everything and they can’t/won’t compete with modern bikes. But tell that to any retro type bike owner(Triumph, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, HD, whatever) and they’ll get it right away.
Fast forward to now, and just like those that always wanted a Triumph but didn’t want to fix the thing every other day and bought a Hinkley, Kenny Dreer’s reborn Nortons were what I’ve been waiting for all along. To read about how his efforts fell flat was heartbreaking.
Now that it looks like someone else is possibly going to save Norton like Bloor saved Triumph, I’m elated.
Some won’t understand, especially the newer riders, but to see and hear one of these bikes in action is a real experience.
I watched and waited while Dreer did his thing, saw video online(the sound of it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up) and was on the mailing list for the bike.
I don’t think the price is too bad and if they can set up a dealer network and the bikes work, I’m sold.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
I love it & would buy it if I could afford it… I like that it has 80 useable horsepower & not 150+ with a 18000rpm redline & very limited low-end torque like most sport bikes….
Plus it looks totally cool!
I subscribed to Cycle magazine as a kid in the early 70’s & there was a Norton girl in every issue… wish I would have kept the magazines…
But like another poster states… Norton’s were not marvels of bullet-proof engineering…I knew a few guys that ride Norton’s… they were cooler than Triumphs but had similar issues, mechanical & otherwise… so although the memory might be nice, I’m sure the experience of riding a vintage Norton to any bike made today leaves the Norton of old lacking….
I like this much more than the Ducati retro sport line although they are pretty nice. I’d like to see a higher performing retro Moto Guzzi too….
It looks beautiful. In 1973 I was one of those who lusted for an original. Fortunately the chances of my getting one were about the same as my getting a date with one of the Norton Girls. No way could I have afforded or done the upkeep.
Fast forward to today. We have another chance. I could put together the money to buy one but it would take a very healthy chunk of my moto budget to do it. Lust or not, I doubt I will be able to talk myself into spending so much for such a narrowly focused machine. That and I’m not at all sure I can continue to deal with sporting ergonomics, even relatively mild ones like this. I’m kind of thinking more like Ducati Hypermotard or Ktm Supermotard touring.
At that price, the only younger people it will reach are those that happened to be pulling near 6 figures that are single without children with a sense of nostalgia. Thats a very small group.
I’m really feeling the “right-side up” Ohlin forks! Like most here, I think it’s a touch too expensive but it’s a fine looking bike. Where’s the two-up option? I need a place to put the minx’s woo’d by it’s Steve McQueen cool.
I wonder how Kenny Dreer feels looking at this.
He has put it behind him and moved on to bigger, better and way faster things.
Like his 385 HP Suzuki drag bike that he’s running this weekend!
Man! What a beautiful machine. They captured the real essence of Norton. The price and lack of dealers will kill this bike in infancy.I’d really like to see them thrive and become the next Triumph. I’ll probably have to go Triumph and some modifications to make a Norton of it. Maybe an old Norton and some of these mods.
It’s really a shame any new bikes/ carriage builders have to meet emissions. With some flatslides and no converters this bike would be right in line and garage fixable and the price would be survivable.
At 51 I have many fond memories of a real Norton Commando and many memories of gearbox problems, enging engine mount issues, swinging arm issues and the list goes on and on. hands wet with fuel on snowy days tickling carbs was a big favourite. But it was a REAL bike and if you rode one you were a REAL biker!
Now, I see this new Norton as a REAL bike. Nancy boys or children will not buy one. Posers won’t buy one. Women probably wouldn’t buy one. Today’s younger generation probably won’t appreciate it because all they seem to talk about is speed. I will buy one because it reminds me of my youth and the suffering it took in the early 70’s to own a bike as a single source of transportation. i now own three BMW’s, a Ducati and a blackbird. All nice and well Engineered for the most part. I want to re-live a bike with yesterdays character but without Bing carbs. No Mods or squiddlies have these memories. Greasy stinking leather jackets, greasy hands, frost bite on ears, dirty long hair and a bad attitude! They were the days! Life is too bloody easy now.
Great post. This is why these old marques have so much value. The number of riders with Paul’s memories of, and passion for, Norton are limited, however, and it is the younger riders without those memories who will ultimately determine the success of the reborn brand.
Paul is the perfect customer for the new Norton. Unfortunately for Norton, there’s probably not enough folks like Paul to sustain Norton. At 32 I’m at the tail end of Gen X and start of Gen Y and think the Norton’s cool. That said, even though I can probably buy one without stressing about it, I’m not going to buy one at that price. I’d rather get a Triumph Thruxton or Ducati GT1000 and still have plenty of money leftover. If it were competitively priced with the Thruxton, I might go for it. As it is, I think this will be yet another short-lived revival soon to fade again into irrelevance.
i agree with jimbo’s complaint about the honda CBs not being available stateside; i’ve been lusting after one for a couple of years. and why should i fork over $18-20K for looks alone?
I reckon people who buy this bike will be wealthy and have a thing for exclusivity, quality parts and heritage names, rather than on-paper performance. I don’t think it has anything to do with generations.
If they can establish themselves as a kind of ‘the Aston Martin of bikes’ than they could do very well.
It’s great to see old marques resurrected in such style so I wish them luck.
Norton has my “attention” and isn’t that far off on the price really considering my BMW boxer’s level of performance and cost without the exclusivity. I always admired the “passion” of Kenny Dreer and his retro Norton concept. Engineered and designed from emotion and a “do it my way” approach- not based on logics, mass production or market surveys. There’s still a lot of “Kenny” left in this bike. Yes a lot of money for air cooled 90hp but its a much bolder, more primal and a harder edged tribute to the British invasion than the retro Triumphs. I hope the iconic brand and Kenny’s vision live well into the future from their proper home at Donnington Park. I don’t buy bikes based on logics and spec sheets. I buy them based on emotion and unfortunately I’m old enough to remember the iconic brands.
Nope…with someone else’s money, maybe… $19.5k can get u a heck of a lot of bike or bike(s) if u know what ur looking for.
I would buy it for maybe $9k, cause thats what it looks like its worth to me (Carbon wheels or not)… a good looking British Dinosaur.
For crying out loud, a 2005 ZRX 1200 can run circles around it on every aspect FOR A LOT LESS $$$.
All this thing is got going for itself is it’s Name, PERIOD. It’s got pushrods and two valves !
No thanks, im only 30. Not ready yet for Tractor Technology at Indy Car Prices….Rigth next to H-D.
Nah, younger generation (18-28), likes 600cc bikes that rev to 16 grand, or Harley Nightsters.
Dear MC daily, my guess is; you suck at making guesses. MCDAILY FAIL
I am a successful gen-Xer. I own a few Guzzis, a few vintage Jap bikes and a few modern ones too. I can certainly afford a Norton if I had to have one. The problem for Norton is that I could buy 3 or 4 really nice real commandos for the price of this new one. Or, I could but a nice commando and a new GSXR… Or maybe I would buy another guzzi, a new triumph and a old Triumph. The problem is that it is too much money for just a regular ol bike. Sure, it looks nice. But, 19Gs? Not this gen Xer.
I agree. Every 6 years someone try’s to relaunch Norton and it never works. Number of reasons that it never works, but chief among them is the fact that they are always depicted as mega bucks one offs and not something real people would buy. I would love to see Norton reborn (Triumph is badly missing the mark by not having a REAL Triton style bike in the line up), but not as a two wheeled Ed Hardy T-shirt!!!
I think there are alot of young enthusiasts out there that are into the “cafe” style bikes. Can’t see anything other than higher price bracket keeping anyone from this bike. Who cares if a CB can out accelerate it?
I’m not sure if I am still a member of the younger generation at 34, but I think this bike is super cool. Market it with some modern-day Norton girls and you might sell a few. If it only had a polished alloy fuel tank and spoked wheels it would totally nail the high-end retro cafe racer look. BTW, what does 90PS equal to in horsepower?
As the new Norton manages to preserve and even surpass the uncluttered classic style of the old, I can guarantee you the younger set will like it, as they already love the looks of the old Commando. They won’t love the 30K dollars ownership will require.
Jimbo says the Japanese did not try to copy that look, I thought that the Kawasaki WR650 came a lot closer to the Edward Turner designed 67-70 Bonneville than the new Bonneville T100 does, which ironically, looks more like a KZ400 twin of the late 70’s. Apparently nobody else agreed with me enough to buy one, ditto for the Indian fendered Kawasakis which I also really liked.
What I wanna know is what noise compliant mufflers are going to look like, as I can’t imagine the peashooters in the picture will stifle the decibels sufficiently to earn an approved for highway sticker. Hopefully they will look better than the great ugly and heavy cans on the other retro bikes.
I love all old Brit bikes over Harleys. So I like this bike a lot. But I’m a tail end baby boomer. Doubt if Gen Y can go for this. As Bob and Dave say they can’t afford it. As they pointed out the Triumphs are a much better value if you want British nostalgia and there are lots of Triumph dealers in the U.S. No Gen Y is into Japanese Sport bikes, Monsters, Speed Triples, etc. right now. Doubt they see anything attractive about the Norton. Remember 2004 Vincent prototype with an RC51 engine. I loved the concept. But, file this story in that file as interesting non-marketable ideas. As you probably all know the resurgence of Vincent was short lived, like Indian, etc etc.
Not at that price. Not when Triumph and Ducati make madern classics that’ll do the same job for sooo much less.
Where can you buy them in the US?
YUM!
Don’t you look at bikes like this, think about the fact that the Japanese make absolutely nothing like this, and wonder: Why? Why? Why? Why do we have to spend about twice what it would cost if it was from Asia? Why does Asia give up this market so freely and easily? Especially during a recession when it’s difficult to justify a purchase yet some bikes like this cause so much irresistible lust? I don’t get it. I never will.
Look at Honda’s CB1100. Except for tight switchbacks the CB1100 would fly by this twin like it dropped anchor. And less cost to ride overall. But no CB1100 for you! (Honda, the equivalent of Seinfeld’s soup Nazi).
Anyone interested in a bike such as the Norton doesn’t give a hoot about whether a Honda CD1100 might be able to “fly by” it. Comparing the bikes and thier likely buyers is an apples-and-oranges exercise.
The Norton’s appeal is far different than that of any Asian product.
“The Norton’s appeal is far different than that of any Asian product.” Well, yes and no.
The thing about cafe racers made from old Japanese bikes is that they are faster than this, offer just as much nostalgia and beauty (though to *different people*), can have just as much modern technology appended thereto, oh yeah and you can build one for a couple thousand bucks.
So basically you’re paying an extra $15k for fuel injection and the privilege of having Norton flashbacks instead of Suzuki flashbacks.
Personally I don’t think your flashbacks are worth any more than mine. But they sure do come at a higher price.
Kawaski tried and largely failed with their attempts to recreate old-style bikes. This particular machine is an example of a factory built ‘special’, with modern running gear married to old-school tech. Many motorcycle magazines show bikes like this every month, built as one-offs. As the article says, this is low-volume stuff. The japanese aren’t interested in this because their customers aren’t. Whilst I’m glad the Norton name is being used in connection with production bikes again, this isn’t anything to worry the large scale motorcycle producers. And if you want something like this in Jap form, you could buy a mid-1990s ZR550/750/1100, throw $5000 of wheels, brakes and suspension at it and end up with something every bit as good as this.
I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of my 961 SE.. as is my son. Bring ’em on!..
Interesting and very unique touch to go with a conventional Ohlins fork instead of the ubiquitous inverted design found on high-dollar stuff. I wasn’t even aware Ohlins built such a design.
Looks like the bike’ll do the business. Nice bike. Doubtful I’d pay 19,500 for such a narrowly focused mount – but I’m not the target market….so who cares? Nice to see the design see the light of day.
I agree with Bob.. Young people can’t afford that. I drooled over big block muscle cars when I was young too.. But there is no way I could afford one (Still can’t!..lol)
And as far as nostalgia carrying a high price.. Triumph’s Bonneville can be had for less than a Honda Shadow 750.. My 2000 Triumph Thunderbird Sport had very similar looks and would eat that thing for lunch in any area of performance..
It’s a beautiful bike.. I’m sure more younger people would want one.. if they could afford one..
Geeez … I suppose I shouldn’t have said that nostalgia carries a high price. The comment was obviously meant to apply specifically to the bike in question, and was not meant to be interpreted as a universal law. I would have thought that any reasonable person would have realized this, but some people just need to find things that other people have said that they can refute. More power to you, dude.
Oh, it does appeal to the younger generation. They just can’t afford it. Even at 41 years old, I wouldn’t pay 19,500 and not stress over it.
“Can it Appeal to the Younger Generation?”
Hmmm…Steal cradle frame, air cooled pushrod engine, dual rear shocks, no fairing what-so-ever, What’s youthfull about that?
Wait they’re offering CARBON FIBER WHEELES!
That’s a nice repro, with modern touches – like the essential hydraulic clutch. Would like to see a little more than 4 inches of suspension travel (can you say potholes!!), but that can hopefully be cleared up in the after market. Nice work.
E-
Nostalgia carries a very high price. But the engine cover does look very shapely. To each, his own.