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.
Best looking production bike yet. Hope they make it. ..Z
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 !
I’d give up my Indian for that……
good lookin bike!
Great classic look they should do great.
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)?
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
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.
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……
Dear Norton, please contact me I want to do one of these……(i can dream can’t I ) 🙂
SNORTIN NORTON LIVES
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!
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!
Quite the therapist.
This hot rod has success written all over it.
Great bike.
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 ?)
Well Done. A great bike for a comeback!
I wish them well.
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
Is that THE Rodent up there? peace
Love it. Engine is very true in style and finish to the old Norton’s
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.
Very very nice. My shipping address is…
Wowwwwww…. Will I have to buy a set of Whitworths for it?
Sweet lines.
Beautiful bike – right up until you see those butt ugly hydraulic reservoirs on the handlebars. Those need to be redesigned . . .
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…
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.
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
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.
I always wanted to build a Norton chopper. Now I might just get a chance.
I want one !
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.
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.
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
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
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-