961 is back !

They could still fit better looking mirrors from the factory for a premium bike. This is the same during the SG era of bikes.
 
75 miles in on a 300 mile day trip and I was in agony on the 05 Daytona's first distance ride.
I made it all the way by stopping every 30 minutes or so and going for a short walk.
Was about to put the bike on Craigslist and decided to try a Sargent seat. A new old stock one came up on eBay, buy it now for $120, worth a try.
That transformed the comfort, or should I say created comfort where there was none.
I've done several 400 mile day rides on the Sargent seat, great comfort. Looks the same as the stock seat, how can it be so much better?

Thrux r came with a good seat, maybe that's why Sargent doesn't bother making one for it. Factory mirrors also quite nice, no need to change.

Glen
 
worntorn said:
75 miles in on a 300 mile day trip and I was in agony on the 05 Daytona's first distance ride.
I made it all the way by stopping every 30 minutes or so and going for a short walk.
Was about to put the bike on Craigslist and decided to try a Sargent seat. A new old stock one came up on eBay, buy it now for $120, worth a try.
That transformed the comfort, or should I say created comfort where there was none.
I've done several 400 mile day rides on the Sargent seat, great comfort. Looks the same as the stock seat, how can it be so much better?

Thrux r came with a good seat, maybe that's why Sargent doesn't bother making one for it.

Glen
Click to expand...
It's true, some seats don't require replacement, but Sargent generally has seats for most models.
They use contoured, firm, closed cell foam which does a much better job of distributing the riders weight over a larger surface area. It's the Goldie Locks formula, not too firm, not too soft, just the right amount of support. I've used their seats on many sportbikes. The stock "pad" on my Ducati 999 seat was laughable. It was like sitting on the frame rails. Had to stop every 50 miles or so. The Sargent seat fixed the problem. It's the only thing I ever changed on my 999.
 
BritTwit said:
It's true, some seats don't require replacement, but Sargent generally has seats for most models.
They use contoured, firm, closed cell foam which does a much better job of distributing the riders weight over a larger surface area. It's the Goldie Locks formula, not too firm, not too soft, just the right amount of support. I've used their seats on many sportbikes. The stock "pad" on my Ducati 999 seat was laughable. It was like sitting on the frame rails. Had to stop every 50 miles or so. The Sargent seat fixed the problem. It's the only thing I ever changed on my 999.
Click to expand...
I agree with a lot of this seat opinion. The seat shape/firmness is hard to please for everyone. I personally have never liked a Corbin for comfort right out of the box . I have had to change the foam on every Corbin I ever bought (96 Trident , 09 XR1200 , 20 Z900RS . But they make a good wide pan and you can go from there. I have tried Russel Day Long and this conversion with his suspension adds too much height for me (but comfort was good for me). I have read that Mayer Seats out of Calif. also does a great job on aftermarket and stock pans alike. But once you get it right , you rear end pain will virtually disappear . I also know , too firm or soft of foam can change the way you suspension feels . A good seat does wonders for your suspension . But as stated , A seat I loved was hated by my buddy who rode my bike.
 
The 29 961's for unsatisfied orders from the SG era "have been developed and improved at the firm’s new multi-million-pound production facility in the West Midlands, with the first bikes already reaching customers."
These are not NEW just "improved."

"Norton did confirm that production plans would be announced soon, with a new Commando 961 included in the plans."
The implication is that the NEW Commandos will be re-engineered to some extent, to be considered "NEW" or different in some significant manner.
What this actually means, we are all waiting to learn.

Stay tuned.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Well, unless this guys is a paid actor, it seems we have at least one actual new 961 customer. And a happy one at that:

www.linkedin.com

Norton Motorcycles on LinkedIn: "I just wanted a Norton, have done for years..." This is the journey that… | 14 comments

"I just wanted a Norton, have done for years..." This is the journey that Dean has been on to receive his brand-new Commando 961 Classic. | 14 comments on LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com www.linkedin.com
Click to expand...
From what I’ve seen at least three have been delivered in the last few weeks. I’d love to have a look at one, but more importantly listen to it running.
 
Last edited:
Fast Eddie said:
Well, unless this guys is a paid actor, it seems we have at least one actual new 961 customer. And a happy one at that:

www.linkedin.com

Norton Motorcycles on LinkedIn: "I just wanted a Norton, have done for years..." This is the journey that… | 14 comments

"I just wanted a Norton, have done for years..." This is the journey that Dean has been on to receive his brand-new Commando 961 Classic. | 14 comments on LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com www.linkedin.com
Click to expand...

But why interview him before he's even ridden the thing??? He's sat on it and listened to it!!! Wow!!

Pointless exercise, no?
 
EstuaryBoy said:
But why interview him before he's even ridden the thing??? He's sat on it and listened to it!!! Wow!!

Pointless exercise, no?
Click to expand...
That's Linked In for you, all fur and no knickers, look at the comments as there is a V4SS owner wanting to be interviewed.
 
BritTwit said:
Possible that wouldn't even be necessary.
If Jinlang is supplying the engines/parts, they can just pass surplus components to the vast Chinese knockoff companies that tran-ship them to distributors in the west.
This way Jinlang makes extra income, and can claim plausible deniability that they don't know how the parts turned up in the aftermarket channel. Just like the other Chinese companies that produce knockoff products for sale in the west.
Dunno know, maybe I'm being too cynical? :cool:
Click to expand...
Considering the numbers involved, highly unlikely. The freight cost alone would not make it viable these days. Talk to the Chinese and the MOQ's will usually be far higher than what TVS have in mind for the 961 and potential sales.

If anything from this good news it seems to be that TVS are actually now starting to listen to potential customers and not just blindly tread down the path of of assumption.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I think thats most of the owners isn‘t it?

It would be very interesting to know how many took up that offer…

Judging by some recent online auction activity, the original bikes seem to have good market value, I assume that’s driven by collectors.
Click to expand...
If anything, once the dust has settled I reckon all of the past couple of years will drive up the values, from a collectors point of view.
 
That would be nice, be in touch soon stu for a service, MOT and cush rubbers. Since you sorted it last year, it rides better than ever
 
For such an investment in the new facility, I am dissapointed at the lack of news from the factory. I am sort of semi in the market at the moment for a new bike to add to my 961 and Indian bobber. I am wanting the KTM 1290 super S but liking the look of another British made bike like the new Hesketh (if price is ok) and half thinking about chopping my 961 in for a new Norton Commando if it is a TOTALLY new model. and reasonably priced. Half interested maybe wrong, now us Brits have Stuart ex Norton, more reasons to keep it.
 
Welshrugby said:
For such an investment in the new facility, I am dissapointed at the lack of news from the factory. I am sort of semi in the market at the moment for a new bike to add to my 961 and Indian bobber. I am wanting the KTM 1290 super S but liking the look of another British made bike like the new Hesketh (if price is ok) and half thinking about chopping my 961 in for a new Norton Commando if it is a TOTALLY new model. and reasonably priced. Half interested maybe wrong, now us Brits have Stuart ex Norton, more reasons to keep it.
Click to expand...
I’m sorry to add negative comments to this open wound, but TVS is destroying any hope many of us had. Personally I’d move onto another brand. Just my 2 cents.
 

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