961 for my 50th? Hola from Spain

Joined
Feb 2, 2014
Messages
48
Good morning
As this is my first post, I'd just like to say 'hi' to all. Originally from England, I've been living and working in or near Barcelona for the last 25 years and have a business here. I've been looking for a 'proper' café racer style bike for a while, and while the Thruxton doesn't 100% convince me, the Norton Commando 961 seems to tick all of the boxes. So, mind made up last Monday and as I don't hang around, I noticed that Norton has a Spanish distributor
http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/news/ne...
and got on my Speed Four the same morning....
and it turns out that Corver us also a Ducati / Yamaha dealer in Barcelona. And low and behold they had the 3 bikes there in their garage/workshop.

However they are still trying to get them legally homologated for Spain. One of them has 'profesional plates' for staff only. As soon as they have one ready, I'm going to give it a test run. They'll call me. This will be the first test of dealer reliability.

My first impression after sitting on them is that the SE top of the range one has lower handlbars and felt uncomfortable. But also quite heavy. Quality looked ok in the artificial light of the servicing area (check out the photo) Prices in Spain are 22k, 19K and 17k euros.
Anyway, in my favor I know that:
a) they do actually exist
b) I'll have tried one first.
c) I've read all the horror stories of bikes not arriving - which has obviously been sorted.
d) I could buy a 2nd hand Thurxton and turned it into a Cup versión bike for less. 7,500€ plus at least 5k€ in goodies, right?
e)I'll have visited the Factory (planned for the summer 2014).
Here's the photo for the Barcelona bike:
http://imageshack.com/a/img203/7889/h83c.jpg
 
I own both the 961 and the Triumph Thruxton. The two bike are completely different when it comes to performance. The Norton will flat walk away from the Thruxton.
 
Mr, good luck on your quest for a Norton, I love my SF. If you post the img code instead of the jpg code as you did, the picture will appear in your post!
961 for my 50th? Hola from Spain
 
V7Sport73 said:
I own both the 961 and the Triumph Thruxton. The two bike are completely different when it comes to performance. The Norton will flat walk away from the Thruxton.
So, they are aiming at a similar market, aren't they? There's just something about the 961 that I prefer. I really love the design.
What's it like performance and handling wise? I normally ride in hills and mountain roads, so plenty of twisties and some country sweepers. And I'd even entertain taking onto a circuit. :D
Thanks


961 for my 50th? Hola from Spain
 
The Thruxton is a fun bike at a great price point but just not in the same league as the Norton. V7 who responded to your post above even has a big bore kit in his and says it still doesn't compare to the Norton! The Norton is a great handling bike with top notch components, Spondon Frame, Ohlins, Brembo, VDO, carbon Fiber everywhere!

Look at my "961 First Ride" post from Nov. 29 for a better review!
 
Thanks for the replies.
I tried the Thruxton for a couple of hours on the twisty roads above Barcelona city this morning. It was MUCH better than I remembered, and I didn't go any slower than my sports bike on a stretch I always time myself on on demo bike rides. The only reason I'd get this model is on Price. But the one I really want is the Norton! To get the Thruxton looking and handling like the Norton would (on paper till I ride it), I'd need to Chuck quite a bit of money at it.... :roll:
 
I have seen many sweet Thruxtons with engine work, new suspensions, wheels, tires, brakes etc. But the price at that is such that I just decided to buy the Norton!
 
BPHORSEGUY said:
I have seen many sweet Thruxtons with engine work, new suspensions, wheels, tires, brakes etc. But the price at that is such that I just decided to buy the Norton!

I'm looking at a 7000 euro 2009 Thruxton with after market pipes and some other cosmetic mods I like. But adding up some other handling mods I'd easily add 4000 euros and that's Bitubo suspension and not Ohlins, plus one brake disc, not two, and another 1000 at least on engine mods. then if I want a new tank....

A new Thruxton OTR is 10000. so if you were to add the ohlins forks and shocks and brembo brakes, you'd be looking at 4 - 5000 euros more before modding the engine. So, there's not much in it, plus the Norton is less common. However, you need to keep us informed about any reliability issues! I wanna try something that isn't a Triumph! :p
 
mrsimon said:
BPHORSEGUY said:
I have seen many sweet Thruxtons with engine work, new suspensions, wheels, tires, brakes etc. But the price at that is such that I just decided to buy the Norton!

I'm looking at a 7000 euro 2009 Thruxton with after market pipes and some other cosmetic mods I like. But adding up some other handling mods I'd easily add 4000 euros and that's Bitubo suspension and not Ohlins, plus one brake disc, not two, and another 1000 at least on engine mods. then if I want a new tank....

A new Thruxton OTR is 10000. so if you were to add the ohlins forks and shocks and brembo brakes, you'd be looking at 4 - 5000 euros more before modding the engine. So, there's not much in it, plus the Norton is less common. However, you need to keep us informed about any reliability issues! I wanna try something that isn't a Triumph! :p
Street Triple R will do the trick. And destroy the new Norton. For 4-5000 euros less.
 
BPHORSEGUY said:
Mr, good luck on your quest for a Norton, I love my SF. If you post the img code instead of the jpg code as you did, the picture will appear in your post!
961 for my 50th? Hola from Spain

So what bike are the tank and side panels off? They're not wide enough for the adjacent frame tubes. The seat dosen't match the side panel either. And where do you put your knees?
 
Al-otment said:
BPHORSEGUY said:
Mr, good luck on your quest for a Norton, I love my SF. If you post the img code instead of the jpg code as you did, the picture will appear in your post!
961 for my 50th? Hola from Spain

So what bike are the tank and side panels off? They're not wide enough for the adjacent frame tubes. The seat dosen't match the side panel either. And where do you put your knees?

The beauty of the original Kenny Dreer design which people all over the world have fallen in love with, definitely not for the "shrinking violet" though!
 
BPHORSEGUY said:
Al-otment said:
BPHORSEGUY said:
Mr, good luck on your quest for a Norton, I love my SF. If you post the img code instead of the jpg code as you did, the picture will appear in your post!
961 for my 50th? Hola from Spain

So what bike are the tank and side panels off? They're not wide enough for the adjacent frame tubes. The seat dosen't match the side panel either. And where do you put your knees?

The beauty of the original Kenny Dreer design which people all over the world have fallen in love with, definitely not for the "shrinking violet" though!

No, Bob, I'm not talking about peoples personalities here - I'm talking about ergonomics. I'm 6' (on a good day) with a 32" inside leg. For me to be able to grip the tank with my knees, it would require my shins to be approx. 6" longer. Now I'm no catwalk model but it seems Frankenstein supplied the measurements for the 961.
 
One of the first things I learned at the track was to transfer weight forward before the turn, thru the apex then back for acceleration. The slender ergos of the Norton allow you to shift CG effortlessly whether you are 5' 6" or 6' 6". The design is Brilliant.

It feels like a 250 between your legs, very comfortable also!
 
BPHORSEGUY said:
It feels like a 250 between your legs.......

I know they're underpowered but I didn't realise by how much. Bearing in mind reported oil consumption would that be a two stroke two fifty?
 
BPHORSEGUY said:
Al, you do know that GP 250's are pushing 125 HP? :D

Well therefore there's no chance of a 961 feeling like one of those then is there Bob.
 
Yeah, like you, I'm pissed off that I don't own one. I've also tried to convince myself that they are ugly and gutless, but somehow I am just not believable. :D
 
I visited the dealer again. They say they need another week to get them homologated due to the width of the mirrors compared to the handlebars! Eh? Talk about Bureaucracy!
Here are some more photos and a video of the bike with the engine running. It cuts out. According to the mechanic it's because they put the tick over very slow to reduce emissions and get it through the MOT. Whatever... It's got 1000kms on it and it's a dealer use bike only. Hopefully I'll get to ride it soon.
One point to clear up is that the tank IS correctly positioned in respect to the footpegs and your knees do touch the tank. I'm 6'1".

961 for my 50th? Hola from Spain

961 for my 50th? Hola from Spain

961 for my 50th? Hola from Spain


Here's the video. to be honest it sounds a bit 'agricultural' ! :? Personally, I'd like to get the sport exhaust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyC3uS6X ... e=youtu.be
 
I tried to watch the vid but it says it is "private" My 961 sounds great with the sport pipes. It is almost Ducati like, all my friends love the sound! The one you are looking at is a lay down bike, it has clip-ons, the models with handlebars may be more comfortable for you !
 
BPHORSEGUY said:
I tried to watch the vid but it says it is "private" My 961 sounds great with the sport pipes. It is almost Ducati like, all my friends love the sound! The one you are looking at is a lay down bike, it has clip-ons, the models with handlebars may be more comfortable for you !

No, the cafe racer with the clip ons is the bottom picture. the first two are the sportl. I'll make the video public for a while then.
 
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