The New Norton. Still British At Heart.

Are exciting times ahead for the established Norton Brand? British at heart, Norton is back in production with three 961 cc models (Commando, Sport and Cafe Racer).  100% built by British hands, the company just delivered in December its first bikes in Italy, is applying for certification in Canada and is currently traveling in the US exhibiting its 961 range in different IMS shows in San francisco, Dallas, Los Angeles and more cities to come in 2012. All 3 models use the same platform and most of the same components.

Steel tubular frame with integral oil tank with twin-sided steel construction (wheel base 55.9″) with 24.5-degree rake for 3.9″ of trail. Engine 961 cc Parallel Twin with push-rod valve. Transmission: Constant mesh 5-sped. Fuel tank: 4.5-gallon. Seat height: 32″. Front suspension via adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping 43 mm Ohlins. Rear Suspension: Ohlins Twin Shocks. Wheels, front 17″, rear 17″. Brembo Brakes, front 4-piston 320 mm discs, rear 2-piston 220 mm disc. Norton Motorcycles.

34 Responses to “The New Norton. Still British At Heart.”


  1. 1 Zipper Dec 28th, 2011 at 9:25 am

    Best looking production bike yet. Hope they make it. ..Z

  2. 2 hk Dec 28th, 2011 at 9:57 am

    i agree with zipper ,i usually have something to pick apart when looking at a factory “custom” inspired bike .but they did it right .Well designed !

  3. 3 Xea Dec 28th, 2011 at 10:18 am

    I’d give up my Indian for that……

  4. 4 CafeSportyTC Dec 28th, 2011 at 11:06 am

    good lookin bike!

  5. 5 LENNY SINNET MC ADVANTAGES Dec 28th, 2011 at 11:13 am

    Great classic look they should do great.

  6. 6 Kirk Perry Dec 28th, 2011 at 11:17 am

    Doesn’t look like it has an automobile radiator hanging in front of the front cylinder. I’m telling myself that the small box under the front fork is ….. is…. an electronic heat-sink.

    The Norton still looks like a motorcycle. I wonder if “constant mesh” means the 5 spd.transmission shifts smoothly (like the Burman box from the ’50’s)?

  7. 7 Captain John T. Awesome Dec 28th, 2011 at 11:55 am

    I want one so bad. I signed up to get all the marketing and promo stuff and I’ve been getting cool stuff in the mail for 2 or 3 years now. I ended up framing a bunch of the pictures they sent me of the new bike and some vintage racing shots because they were so big and just so awesome. There’s been a bunch of promo literature and other neat things like post cards and stuff too.The price here in Canada is pretty steep though, so I think I’ll stick with the pictures.lol

  8. 8 Luis Dec 28th, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    I’ve been seeing these at the local bike show for 2 years now. I want one so badly. I found out one of the local dealers will be carrying them. I’ll be trading one of my rides in for this one once I can buy it.

  9. 9 Alan sharp Dec 28th, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    its not British it was first built in the USA by Norton America, then sold to Norton UK bikes engines name, the lot, then it was refined, good looking bike i wont one too……

  10. 10 LC Fab Dec 28th, 2011 at 1:41 pm

    Dear Norton, please contact me I want to do one of these……(i can dream can’t I ) 🙂

  11. 11 Rodent Dec 28th, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    SNORTIN NORTON LIVES

  12. 12 Hamish Lamont Dec 28th, 2011 at 1:55 pm

    Designed by the Yanks, made by the Poms and will be ridden with pride by this Kiwi.
    Seems like everyone can be happy.
    Best of luck to them!

  13. 13 Timmoking Dec 28th, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    Yeah, that’s a safe lookin retro inspired production bike. But I’m more interested if that beautiful motor will be available seperately, and if David Bird will build a frame for it. THEN we’ll see some creativity!

  14. 14 ray c wheeler Dec 28th, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    Quite the therapist.

    This hot rod has success written all over it.

    Great bike.

  15. 15 Woody Dec 28th, 2011 at 8:29 pm

    Damn! Think I wet myself. That is one amazing looking ride, had a short tail 750 Commando back in the day and this bike brings back every bit of that feeling. Job well done! (wanna trade one for a 71 BSA A65L ?)

  16. 16 ValueTeck Enterprises Dec 29th, 2011 at 7:44 am

    Well Done. A great bike for a comeback!
    I wish them well.

  17. 17 Blue Strada Dec 29th, 2011 at 11:08 am

    The bike is absolutely great looking.. All of us that enjoy it have Mr. Kenny Dreer to thank. If it was not for his efforts in the early 2000 years there would be nothing. The design ansd engine that you see is exactly the design he created from a blank piece of paper. It’s very sad that he will not be around to enjoy the success that he he toiled so hard over for so many years.
    Kenny… those of us that have been in the motorcycle industry through all this say thank you and will remember you for the contribution to Norton Motorcycles.

    BlueStrada

  18. 18 burnout Dec 29th, 2011 at 11:57 am

    Is that THE Rodent up there? peace

  19. 19 Dale Dec 29th, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    Love it. Engine is very true in style and finish to the old Norton’s

  20. 20 Iron Horse Dec 29th, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    Just one more thing to add to the “GOTTA HAVE IT” list. I lusted for an 850 Commando back in the early 70’s. Maybe they’ll get these imported into the US real soon. Great job Norton. It even kinda looks like the Norton of old to some extent.

  21. 21 Dar - Brass Balls Cycles Dec 29th, 2011 at 9:31 pm

    Very very nice. My shipping address is…

  22. 22 J Dec 30th, 2011 at 9:27 am

    Wowwwwww…. Will I have to buy a set of Whitworths for it?

    Sweet lines.

  23. 23 Davessworks Dec 30th, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    Beautiful bike – right up until you see those butt ugly hydraulic reservoirs on the handlebars. Those need to be redesigned . . .

  24. 24 Tan~Dawg Dec 30th, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    They’ve been dangling this carrot out there for three years now- they need to get with the program, meet US cafe standards and start delivering. I know numerous people that have deposits for Nortons, and they’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting…

  25. 25 barney Dec 30th, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    Barmp….sorry, it looks too Japanese ‘Superbike’ to me what with the little 17 inch wheels, all that space between the back wheel and that stupid looking pointy rear seat cowl. The Triumph Thruxton is far more authentically British looking and for a few thousand in available engine upgrades will run circles around the Norton.
    I would much prefer one of those Colorado Norton rebulit Commandos any day over the new one. The engine looks beautiful, rest of the bike. is a design failure IMO.

  26. 26 BlueStrada Jan 1st, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    Wow.. Japanese you say? Maybe a little like the GB 500… but tell us what part of it looks Japanese?

    Having spoken to someone that has ridden it… your estimation of the pumped up Thruxton running circles around it are not even close… I love the Thruxton too… but these are not in the same class… and of course they are not in the same class price-wise either…
    BlueStrada

  27. 27 Englishman Jan 2nd, 2012 at 8:39 am

    I love the look, it’s a bit of a pity only the well-heeled will have one. Wouldn’t be surprised if you could buy three Thruxtons for what these will be listing.

    The Original Nortons weren’t cheap, but were in the range of most working men.

  28. 28 bean're Jan 2nd, 2012 at 10:29 am

    I always wanted to build a Norton chopper. Now I might just get a chance.

  29. 29 mike corbin Jan 2nd, 2012 at 10:41 am

    I want one !

  30. 30 Pit Presley. Jan 2nd, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    Great bike. I still own an 850 Commando 1974 and runs lovely. Shame that the the dealer in Paris, M. Thierry Stapts is slandering this legendary name with his attitude. I guess I’ll buy mine in England not to feed this moron.

  31. 31 ray allen Jan 2nd, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    the bike looks good but why the gold coloured forks etc if they had done them in machine silver i would have said great. this is from a ex norton rider domie 99 1957 an all red one at that with a full avonaire fairing for the british winter, ride on tommy.

  32. 32 barney Jan 2nd, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    BLUESTRADA

    The new norton costs approx. 80% more than the thruxton…in stock form the norton isn’t much faster than the thrux (lots of reviews confirm this) so spend a couple of grand upgrading the thrux for a much faster/superior bike plus one that actually looks british and have enough left over for a Mexican vacation.

    The norton looks like a japanese superbike because japanese superbikes all have small wheels and high upward pointy seaty cowls with a yard of space between the tire and the mudguard. I’ve also read that the norton’s tranny isn’t anything to write home about either. Gold front end is also too garish/blingy.
    I

  33. 33 barney Jan 2nd, 2012 at 5:33 pm

    BlueStrada
    Have a look at this Norton, too bad they didn’t hew closer to their design heritage.
    I’d buy this in an instant:
    http://www.rantthisspace.com/item_56.html

  34. 34 nicker Jan 3rd, 2012 at 10:54 pm

    Looks just fine to me, two rear shocks and a drive chain…… with scooters like this cumming out, all is well with the world.
    (but then i also like that “ratthisspace” pic, it’s one fine scooter too)

    -nicker-

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Cyril Huze