Norton Commando 961

THE BRITISH ICON REDEFINED

There are few names that have endured in motorcycling like the Norton Commando. First introduced in 1967, it set a new standard for British motorcycles and, such was the Commando’s class, that it was named ‘Machine of the Year’ for the next five years in a row. Today the Commando 961 also sets the standard for British made motorcycles and even shares some of the same performance rich DNA of that era-defining machine. With a completely redesigned 961cc oil and air-cooled engine, precision handling chassis and the finest components, the Commando 961 ushers in a new era of British manufacturing.

TWO STYLES, SAME PURPOSE

The Commando 961 is the ultimate modern classic because it combines what we all want; timeless looks, unquestionable performance and a soundtrack rescued from a bygone era. But at Norton we know that not all motorcyclists are the same, which is why we have the 961 Sport and the 961 Café Racer.

Norton Commando 961 Café Racer

The Café Racer is the ideal combination of speed and style – a modern reincarnation of the dizzying machines favoured by the Ton Up Boys. It’s clip-on handlebars pull you in close to the action, where the roar of the engine fills your ears and all the matters is where you’re going and how quickly you’re getting there.

Norton Commando 961 Sport

The Sport, on the other hand, comes with flat handlebars that favour an upright riding position for riders who have a little more time to spend in the saddle. Made for those for whom the journey is more important than the destination and the ride takes as long as it needs.

DESIGN

Deserving of the Norton name

When the Commando was designed in 1966, Norton stood for the same principles that ‘Pa’ Norton had when he began building motorcycles in 1902. They are the same principles we have now: the highest quality components, precision engineering and traditional craftsmanship; now in a 21st century package. That’s not to say we’ve stuffed the Commando full of pointless tech for the sake of it – the opposite in fact. Just like the original bike over 50 years ago, a Commando 961 will not tell you when to change gear, it will not take charge of the throttle and it will not get between you and the simple pleasure of a well-earned ride. Instead it offers reliability when you require it, comfort when you want it and the roar of a petrol powered British twin when you ask for it. Quite simply the Commando 961 is everything you need, and nothing you don’t.

Norton-Commando-Cafe-Racer-sunset-010423

SPECIFICATION

Simplicity, perfected

We’ve also simplified the Commando 961, so you can specify the exact bike you want. As standard the 961 comes with a traditional finish to the engine, allowing the natural colours and textures of the manufacturing process to show through. If you’ve yearned for Commandos of old then this is the bike for you but, if you’d prefer, we can take a leaf out of Mick Jagger’s book and paint it black. The same is true of the frame, finishing kit, stitching and the pinstriping on the bodywork. You can even choose just how polished you want the engine cases because, at the end of the day, it’s your bike not ours. We do draw the line somewhere though. The things that make a Norton, a Norton – the logo, the hourglass body, the signature fuel tank and gentle angle of the engine – they’re not going anywhere. And nor are we, which is also why every Commando comes with a two-year warranty.

ENGINEERING

Cake, meet the cherry

Of course, simplicity doesn’t mean simple. We build the Commando from the best materials; the front mudguard is carbon fibre and the yokes are made from aerospace grade aluminium. We also finish the 961 with the best components available – the fully adjustable forks and shocks come from suspension experts Öhlins, while the brakes come from the Italian maestros at Brembo. As for the engine, that’s far from simple either. Completely redesigned, reengineered and reworked over the past two years, the latest 961cc parallel twin is the most advanced version to date and places a smidge over 76bhp in your right hand. Sometimes the old ways are the best though, which is why it’s still air-oil cooled, still has a dry sump and still sounds as mean as it ever did. We also think reliability never goes out of fashion either, so it’s been built to go 6000 miles between services meaning you get to spend more time on the road and less in the workshop. All that’s left to do now is swing a leg over one and see what everyone has been lauding for the last 56 years.

Technical

Engine

Engine type
Norton air-oil-cooled pushrod parallel twin with dry sump lubrication

Bore & stroke
88mm x 79mm

Displacement
961cc

Compression ratio
10.1:1

Ignition
Crank-fired, electronic fuel injection
Performance

Power
76.8bhp @7250rpm

Torque
81Nm @ 6300rpm
Design

Mudguard
Carbon front mudguard

Pillion seat

Colour-matched seat cowl (Aftersales)
Chassis

Frame
Frame is hand TIG and MIG welded at Norton HQ

Fuel tank
15 Litre

Handlebars – Sport
Black anodised tapered high bars

Handlebars – Café Racer
High-grade anodised billet aluminium clip-ons

Wheelbase
1400mm

Rake
24.5 º

Trail
99mm

Seat height
810mm

Yokes
Billet-machined

Exhaust
ExhaustFull stainless steel exhaust system with multiple 3-way catalytic converter

Kerb Weight
230kg
Transmission

Gearbox
5-speed constant mesh type

Final drive
525 O-ring chain

Clutch
Wet multi-plate
Brakes

Front brakes
Full Brembo system – twin Brembo 320mm fully-floating high carbon steel discs and Brembo 4-piston Mono Bloc radially mounted calipers with ABS, and Brembo front brake master cylinder

Rear brakes
Full Brembo system – Brembo 240mm disc and 2-piston caliper with ABS, and Brembo rear brake master cylinder
Suspension

Front suspension
43mm Öhlins upside-down forks – adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping

Rear suspension
Öhlins twin shocks with remote reservoir – fully adjustable
Wheels

Front wheel
36-spoke, 3.5″ x 17″ polished aluminium rim

Rear wheel
40-spoke, 5.5″ x 17″ polished aluminium rim

Front tyre
Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300, 120/70ZR17

Rear tyre
Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300, 180/55ZR17
Electronics

Lighting
Polished stainless-steel single headlamp

Instruments
Norton analogue speedometer and tachometer

Charging system
300W high-output
Colour Options

Matrix Black
With polished rims or black rims

Manx Platinum
With polished rims or black rims
Disclaimer

Product specification
The products presented on this website are subject to regional applicability and the final specification can change.

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Norton Commando 961

THE BRITISH ICON REDEFINED

TWO STYLES, SAME PURPOSE

Norton Commando 961 Café Racer

Norton Commando 961 Sport

Deserving of the Norton name

Simplicity, perfected

Cake, meet the cherry

Engine

Engine type

Bore & stroke

Displacement

Compression ratio

Ignition

Performance

Power

Torque

Design

Mudguard

Chassis

Frame

Fuel tank

Handlebars – Sport

Handlebars – Café Racer

Wheelbase

Rake

Trail

Seat height

Yokes

Exhaust

Kerb Weight

Transmission

Gearbox

Final drive

Clutch

Brakes

Front brakes

Rear brakes

Suspension

Front suspension

Rear suspension

Wheels

Front wheel

Rear wheel

Front tyre

Rear tyre

Electronics

Lighting

Instruments

Charging system

Colour Options

Matrix Black

Manx Platinum

Disclaimer

Product specification

Register your interest

Would you like to know more? or book a test ride at our HQ? Register your interest and a member of our team will be in contact with you shortly.