Over the past five years, the Norton Commando 961 Mk II range has only had a minor upgrade to the ECU and ABS as required by law.
While other brands have progressed with hi-tech rider aids such as traction control, engine modes and more, the Norton has retained its simplicity.
Perhaps that is what is so charming about this bike.
It captures that basic formula of motorcycling that many of us love. No distracting electronic wizardry here.
Also, the fact that there have been no upgrades doesn’t leave the buyer with a bike that has been devalued by this year’s new model.
Test ride
Australian importer James Mutton of Brisbane Motorcycles invited me to try the Commando 961 Sport model on a short blast from the city into the hills and back.
Lust stretching right back to my teenage years was enough to convince me to accept his offer.
But I was also interested to see if the hefty price tag of $32,990 plus on-road costs is justified.
Before departing, James tells me the ECU update has taken some of the lumpiness and grumpiness out of the engine, particularly when cold or ridden at low speeds.
However, we let it idle for a few minutes to warm up, just in case.
As we head out into busy morning traffic I am pleasantly surprised at how tame and manageable it feels.
However, when we turn the Commando 961 forks toward Mt Glorious, it lets rip with a maniacal yelp and plenty of bite from the 961cc parallel twin pushrod engine with 60kW of power and 80Nm of torque.
They are not world-leading figures, but there is a tone and character to this engine that is absolutely delightful and infectious.
The engine throbs and purrs with the best induction roar since Samson slayed that recalcitrant lion.
At idle, the twin pipes burble delightfully but their note is lost in the induction roar as you power on. So it entertains the rider, rather than alarming the general public.
Tingling ride
We press on into the hills and the Commando 961 tingles my fingers, my feet and the antennae-like wing mirrors — if I could afford one, the first thing I would do is ditch those mirrors for bar-end units.
Handling duties are managed by Ohlins forks and shocks, so it’s predictable, sharp, precise and firm, but with a compliant ride over the harsh bumps.
A perfect, neutral handling bike with light steering and a joy to throw around S-bends.
However, I feel a strange disconnect with the bike. Not emotionally, but physically … in the seat of my pants!
I soon realise it’s due to the shape and design of the narrow-fronted seat and scalloped tank.
The seat is comfortable and fits me well, but my knees are too far forward and underneath the indents on the tank.
Consequently my knees are hanging out in the breeze rather than gripping the tank.
I move my rear rearward and it feels better, but still a little strange.
As we slice through the corners, I tap-dance on the gearshift and find the gears as slick as many Japanese motorcycles.
In fact, unless you watch the green neutral light flick off, you wouldn’t know you had selected first gear it is that smooth and quiet.
There are only five gears but with hefty midrange torque, you don’t really need to mess around with a lot of cog swapping.
In fact, I use only three gears up and down Mt Glorious.
Yet you can also short shift and cruise around in top gear even on city roads.
The Commando 961 is a bike that will accommodate any style of riding and reward in a responsive and entertaining way.
But don’t think of this like an original Commando with its lightweight featherbed frame.
This feels a bulkier and more substantial bike.
I was a little surprised to find the instruments only included an odometer, one trip, a clock and a volt meter with the toggle button between the two analogue dials, not on a switchblock on the bars.
But then, this is supposed to be a neo-classic.
Some of the current neo-classics are a little too hi-tech, defeating the whole purpose of getting back into the retro feel.
Is it worth it?
After a delightful romp through the hills we are back at Brisbane Motorcycles and I am still pondering why anyone would pay so much for a fairly basic motorcycle.
Yet I’m still wanting one and wondering how I can finance it.
Why is that?
There’s no lavish paint, hi-tech wizardry, spec sheet bragging rights or acres of chrome to admire.
In fact, the casings are a lightly polished alloy that is already developing an oxidised patina.
Then it hits me. That’s exactly what I like.
It feels authentic. It feels hand-built. It feels like quality without any unnecessary trimmings, except for those hand-painted gold pin stripes.
There is a certain intrinsic value to this bike that does not translate to the bank balance.
I know I could afford two Japanese bikes for the same price, but I don’t know that I would feel the same level of pride in ownership.
Norton Commando 961 Sport Mk II
| Price: | $32,990 plus on-road costs |
| Engine: | 961cc push-rod valve actuation, 3 bearing crank and balancer shaft. |
| Power: | 58.4kW @ 6500rpm |
| Torque: | 90Nm @ 5200rpm |
| Compression: | 10.0:1 |
| Bore x stroke: | 88.0 x 79.0 mm (3.5 x 3.1 inches) |
| Valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel system: | Injection |
| Ignition: | Digital |
| Lubrication system: | Dry sump |
| Cooling system: | Air |
| Gearbox: | 5-speed |
| Transmission: | Chain |
| Clutch: | Wet multi-plate hydraulic lifter |
| Driveline: | Constant mesh |
| Emissions: | 3 way catalytic converter. |
| Exhaust: | Stainless steel |
| Frame: | Steel tubular with integral oil tank. |
| Rake (fork angle): | 24.5° |
| Trail: | 99mm (3.9 inches) |
| Front suspension: | 43mm Ohlins RWU – adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping |
| Front wheel travel: | 115mm |
| Rear suspension: | Twin-sided steel swing arm. Ohlins reservoir-style twin shocks – Adjustable ride height, preload, compression |
| Rear wheel travel: | 100mm |
| Front tyre: | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tyre: | 180/55-17 |
| Front brakes: | Double disc. Brembo system, twin semi-floating hi carbon stainless steel discs, Brembo 4 piston “Gold Line” axial callipers |
| Front brakes diameter: | 320mm |
| Rear brakes: | Single disc. Brembo system, 2 piston “Gold Line” calliper |
| Rear brakes diameter: | 220mm |
| Wheels: | Polished aluminium rims |
| Seat: | 813mm (adjustable) |
| Dry weight: | 188kg |
| Power/weight ratio: | 0.4255HP/kg |
| Fuel tank: | 17 litres |
| Wheelbase: | 1,420mm |
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com