961 as your only bike...

I ended up with the Street Triple instead, and it has been a revelation. It weighs 100 lbs less than the 961, and has 26 more horsepower. The extra horsepower is nice, but it's the lighter weight that I find makes a huge difference in riding the tight, twisty stuff.

Ken

ST is a nice bike for sure, but doesn't get high marks for classic styling, or big twin exhaust note like the 961.
 
I asked the question so I better fess up! Me, 57, my back, 94! The lord only knows why I bought a CR, but she’s a keeper. I guess the high average age was always going to be so with purchase later in life, when finances (and she of higher authority) permit! There may be more than a few mid-life crises candidates in there also! You know who you are! ;)

Good on yer Ken, keep on ridin! I go riding every Sunday with a mate who is 80+, he rides a BMW 1000RR thing and I struggle to keep up sometimes. He’s showing absolutely no signs of slowing down - growing old disgracefully!

More power would be great but hardly necessary methinks. For me the bike is for carving through the twisties, don’t need more HP for that! My CR has more than enough to stay with my mates, until a straight comes along of course. I used to obsess about the weight a little until I fitted the BST carbon wheels. This really transformed the handling and weight characteristics for me. Night and day, worth every penny. Ride one if you can and see for yourself.

Voodoo, you probably need to think of selling your bike! You’re a bit young, or I’m a bit jealous, one or the other!
 
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I asked the question so I better fess up! Me, 57, my back, 94! The lord only knows why I bought a CR, but she’s a keeper. I guess the high average age was always going to be so with purchase later in life, when finances (and she of higher authority) permit! There may be more than a few mid-life crises candidates in there also! You know who you are! ;)

Good on yer Ken, keep on ridin! I go riding every Sunday with a mate who is 80+, he rides a BMW 1000RR thing and I struggle to keep up sometimes. He’s showing absolutely no signs of slowing down - growing old disgracefully!

More power would be great but hardly necessary methinks. For me the bike is for carving through the twisties, don’t need more HP for that! My CR has more than enough to stay with my mates, until a straight comes along of course. I used to obsess about the weight a little until I fitted the BST carbon wheels. This really transformed the handling and weight characteristics for me. Night and day, worth every penny. Ride one if you can and see for yourself.

Voodoo, you probably need to think of selling your bike! You’re a bit young, or I’m a bit jealous, one or the other!

Agreed about the CF wheels. I fitted them to mine last year, and the difference is notable. To be honest, weight doesn't bother me when I'm riding. But I've already dropped the bike once while moving it around, and that's where I notice the extra weight of the heavier bikes. I have to be extra careful when maneuvering a bike around in awkward parking situations, or sideways on a slope, etc. I just don't have the strength to manhandle it back if it starts to tip. Maybe I just need a gym membership:rolleyes:.

Also have to agree about the 961 not really needing more power. But it is fun when you have it.

Ken
 
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It seems hard to get a series produced twin bike weighing less than ca. 215 kg, whether modern (watercooled) or retro styled (air/oil cooled). A modern twin bike needs an e-start, a balance shaft, a decent clutch, 5 or 6 gears, cooling ancillaries, a restrictive exhaust system possibly w/cat, some fairing, and all those electrical gizmos.
I've compared the Norton 961, Triumph's T100, Yamaha TRX850 (TDM900 was heavier), Ducati Multistrada 950, and BMW F800GT (the new F900 is heavier). They all fall into the 215 kg range, give or take a couple of kg. The Kawa W800 and the TDM900 tops the scale at 223 to 225 kg.

Shedding weight requires lighter materials, elaborate optimalizations and a more advanced manufacturing techniques - which all lead to a higher price. It's doable - but I doubt the average buyer would be prepared to pay the increased cost.

-Knut
The killer for the 961 is the frame.
 
If the 961 had another say 15 Horse , I doubt we would be complaining about its weight too much.
Honestly I’m happy with the power for what the 961 is.
but I’m always in for less weight on anything.
 
I asked the question so I better fess up! Me, 57, my back, 94! The lord only knows why I bought a CR, but she’s a keeper. I guess the high average age was always going to be so with purchase later in life, when finances (and she of higher authority) permit! There may be more than a few mid-life crises candidates in there also! You know who you are! ;)

Good on yer Ken, keep on ridin! I go riding every Sunday with a mate who is 80+, he rides a BMW 1000RR thing and I struggle to keep up sometimes. He’s showing absolutely no signs of slowing down - growing old disgracefully!

More power would be great but hardly necessary methinks. For me the bike is for carving through the twisties, don’t need more HP for that! My CR has more than enough to stay with my mates, until a straight comes along of course. I used to obsess about the weight a little until I fitted the BST carbon wheels. This really transformed the handling and weight characteristics for me. Night and day, worth every penny. Ride one if you can and see for yourself.

Voodoo, you probably need to think of selling your bike! You’re a bit young, or I’m a bit jealous, one or the other!
I’ll never part with my Norton’s. Especially the Domi.
 
I asked the question so I better fess up! Me, 57, my back, 94! The lord only knows why I bought a CR, but she’s a keeper. I guess the high average age was always going to be so with purchase later in life, when finances (and she of higher authority) permit! There may be more than a few mid-life crises candidates in there also! You know who you are! ;)

Good on yer Ken, keep on ridin! I go riding every Sunday with a mate who is 80+, he rides a BMW 1000RR thing and I struggle to keep up sometimes. He’s showing absolutely no signs of slowing down - growing old disgracefully!

More power would be great but hardly necessary methinks. For me the bike is for carving through the twisties, don’t need more HP for that! My CR has more than enough to stay with my mates, until a straight comes along of course. I used to obsess about the weight a little until I fitted the BST carbon wheels. This really transformed the handling and weight characteristics for me. Night and day, worth every penny. Ride one if you can and see for yourself.

Voodoo, you probably need to think of selling your bike! You’re a bit young, or I’m a bit jealous, one or the other!
May have mentioned this before but I gave my 961 Sport to very well experienced suspension expert, after setting it up, (my settings not too far out) he took it for a test ride.
When he returned the comment he made was that the frame felt stiff like a racing frame!
I have also fitted carbon wheels,what a difference they make to the ride,
and on a lighter note! much easier to clean.
The wife thinks they look cool so everything is ok with the world.
 
Literally just bought the Speed Tripple to add sanity to my motorcycle life, couldn't face years ahead with just the 961 and its "character" strangely she is behaving now, the threat of sitting in a living room for the rest of her life fixed her right up :p

Did I mention the Speed Tripple is "Amazeballz" :D
 
Why would you choose the Domi over the Commando?

And what did you mean about the frame being the killer? Is it heavy?
I like both my commando and dominator. The reason why I’d never part with my Dominator is because it’s 1 of 24 dominator naked’s. (At least that’s what garner says)
And I like the uniqueness, looks, sound, etc.

As for my frame comment, compare our Norton’s which are air cooled, with bits of carbon, cast and billet aluminum pieces, alloy wheels with steel spokes, plastic tanks and air box, etc
Then compare it to a bikes weight to a bike such as your Monster 1200.
Which is water cooled, has more electronics, more steel, aluminum, plastic, with a trellis frame, larger displacement engine and it’s lighter in weight.

I’m only assuming but I think the Norton frame is probably heavy on its own.
 
My 2017 961CR is my only bike. After a bike-free gap of about 8 years I got fed up of cycle accidents on the way to work and a bit of cash became available so I decided on an electric commuter motorbike - charge it at work for a free commute. I then discovered that electric motorbikes are barely in their infancy and potentially a disastrous investment. Then I saw the Norton and that was it for me. I have clocked up over 10000 miles alternating with my cycle for my work commute and every journey on the bike is thoroughly enjoyable.

I have classic car which takes up some time but I am finding that the more you have the more there is to maintain/ pay for and you just end up with a fleet of almost working vehicles. I absolutely love the 961 and yes it has spent some time off the road and it currently has its gearbox and clutch spread over the garage floor but I always thought that what I would spend on an alternative 'reliable' bike I would put towards fixing any issues so I could ride the bike I actually want to be on. I was quoted £6000 for a complete engine/gearbox and if Norton went under for good or the spares situation became impossible I might consider a 'standby' unit. Everything else on the bike can be kept going with a bit of engineering. I've hopefully got another 20 years of riding and might get round to retiring so I think my plan should be possible and we can grow old together as we try to keep our respective bits from wearing out....
 
Wow, sounds like you need to marry her mate !!

:DWow so I could do that in Oz?

My 961 never sulked when I looked at a Ducati
My 961 never made me sleep in the garage when I forgot our anniversary.
My 961 doesn't question why I need ANOTHER tool for my workshop.
My 961 doesn't spend a fortune talking to other 961s.
My 961 doesn't keep me waiting to go out while she puts on layers of expensive polish.
 
My 2017 961CR is my only bike. After a bike-free gap of about 8 years I got fed up of cycle accidents on the way to work and a bit of cash became available so I decided on an electric commuter motorbike - charge it at work for a free commute. I then discovered that electric motorbikes are barely in their infancy and potentially a disastrous investment. Then I saw the Norton and that was it for me. I have clocked up over 10000 miles alternating with my cycle for my work commute and every journey on the bike is thoroughly enjoyable.

I have classic car which takes up some time but I am finding that the more you have the more there is to maintain/ pay for and you just end up with a fleet of almost working vehicles. I absolutely love the 961 and yes it has spent some time off the road and it currently has its gearbox and clutch spread over the garage floor but I always thought that what I would spend on an alternative 'reliable' bike I would put towards fixing any issues so I could ride the bike I actually want to be on. I was quoted £6000 for a complete engine/gearbox and if Norton went under for good or the spares situation became impossible I might consider a 'standby' unit. Everything else on the bike can be kept going with a bit of engineering. I've hopefully got another 20 years of riding and might get round to retiring so I think my plan should be possible and we can grow old together as we try to keep our respective bits from wearing out....
Hello Clive , Can you ask for a price on just a clutch basket or entire clutch unit/hub/plates/springs ? Let us know , Thanks.
 
Hello Clive , Can you ask for a price on just a clutch basket or entire clutch unit/hub/plates/springs ? Let us know , Thanks.

OK will do. Just discovered the friction plates are late Yam R6 so am looking at getting EBC uprated carbon fibre based.
 
OK will do. Just discovered the friction plates are late Yam R6 so am looking at getting EBC uprated carbon fibre based.

How sure are you of that, Clive? We had some previous comments from someone who worked on the development of the clutch stating that they were not R6 plates, but proprietary ones for Norton. Please let us know if you get the R6 ones and they fit. I wish I had taken mine over to Barnett when I had it apart, and asked them to compare it to their designs, but it didn't occur to me at the time.

Ken
 
Hello Clive , Can you ask for a price on just a clutch basket or entire clutch unit/hub/plates/springs ? Let us know , Thanks.
Hi if you want anything to do with the clutch you need to buy a complete assembly at 830UK pounds plus VAT if in UK. Same as my enquiry about a selector fork for the gearbox - I can only buy a complete box. As I always say there is a parts bin somewhere full of these bits it's just a matter of locating it.

And thanks to some excellent help from EBC technical guy Gary I have a R6 friction plate to try which slides in perfectly. Thickness spot on at 3mm so I will test out a driven plate out of curiosity and let you know. I want to give their carbon fibre performance plates a go.
 
The steel plates look like Yam R6 steel plates too . I just got a set in and compared to the Norton Plates. I can't see a real difference between them. If you order EBC kit : SRK51 this will give you 8 friction plates , 8 plain steel plates , and 6 pressure plate springs . 1 of the steel plates is thicker at 2.3 mm instead of just under 2mm (1.97 to 1.99 mm) like the rest. EBC told me just not to use the thick steel plate the Norton 961 only uses 7 steel plates all the same thickness.
 
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Good info, Tony and Clive. Thanks for posting it. I'll look forward to hearing how the CF plates work out.

Ken
 
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