Norton Motorcycles has unveiled a limited-edition Commando 961 Cafe Racer MKII to mark its collaboration with Swiss watchmaker Breitling.
The bike is one of just 77 and includes dials designed by the watchmaker, as well as signature “Bs” engraved on the clutch box and stitched into the seat.
There is no word yet on price, but the current model costs more than $A33,000 in Australia.
Breitling watch
The limited-edition bike has been developed to coincide wth the release of a new watch from the Swiss watchmaker’s Premier collection.
Their Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Norton Edition costs a hefty $A11,250 and is only available online.
It honours the British bike brand with Norton logos engraved on the left side of the case and transparent caseback.
The black dial has gold numerals, silver subdials and white bezel inscribed with the word “TACHYMETER” in red.
The hands are coated in a luminescent “Super-LumiNova” finish to make them easily legible for riders day and night.
It comes with either a brown leather strap or stainless steel bracelet.
Watch collaborations
It is not the first time a luxury watchmaker has collaborated with a motorcycle company.
Swiss watchmaker Baume & Mercier has got together with Indian Motorcycle on several occasions to release watches costing up to $5500.
Other motorcycle manufacturers have had similar exclusive watches in recent years so devoted fans can wear their “heart” on their sleeve – or wrist!
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