961 sports

Hi all,
This is my first post, I’m a owner of a 74 Mk2 commando and I’m toying with the idea of buying 2015 961 sports... does anyone else have an old and newish commando? What’s your impression of the new? And do you think there’s going to be a massive drop in resale value with the 961?

Welcome to the forum.
I have a 73/74 Interstate and a 2014 Sport. Love them both, when they are going . The original has been doing better in that respect of late.
A well sorted classic commando is a joy to ride but the 961 feels (as it should) like a modern bike by comparison. More planted and stable in the corners.
As for resale value, who knows. Low volume collectable or redundant design with limited future support, take your pick?

I have a '75 Roadster and a 961 Dominator. Both great machines and I wouldn't part with either. The 961 is totally modern and everything works as it should, Motor, Brakes, Suspension etc superb. Power is comparable to a Ducati Sport Classic but its better built and alot more comfortable. There were a few niggles but none more than any other brand of bike I've ever had. Hard to tell if they'll be collectible or not, I don't really think about it. Parts availability after Covid is what I think about, what will be available and how long will the machine be supported by the factory? I'm hoping they'll do the right thing and keep the show on the road.

Hello Corner , I will answer your first question only . The prerequisite for this is having both vintage commando and 961 right ? Well , I had 3 Vintage Commandos since 1978 and owned all 3 for a long time : 1970 S , a 1972 Combat and a 1973 850 . You will notice I said HAD . Since buying and riding the 961 I was able to finally "let go" of them. They are similar but not the same , brakes and suspension are in a completely different class. The 961 is heavier and its all down to powerplant and frame. The motor/trans is heavy so is the frame. Mounting plates are thick , it is robust . I would say BUY , BUY , BUY , because if you don't buy it someone else surely will .

After the new factory have made the last 50 (was that the number), thats the last air cooled commando ever made in Britain. We now know the company made a loss on every one so surely the value will hold.

We service and ride both and they each are great in most respects. The 961 is great as long as all issue are sorted out. The only issue that is yet to be determined is the availability of parts for them. Hard for a factory to support low volume so just be aware critical parts might not be available when the need arises.

Welshrugby said:

After the new factory have made the last 50 (was that the number), thats the last air cooled commando ever made in Britain. We now know the company made a loss on every one so surely the value will hold.

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Manufacturing costs doesn’t really have any impact on long term used market prices at all.

Only time will tell which way it goes, as ntst8 eloquently put it:

“Low volume collectable or redundant design with limited future support, take your pick”

City Garage said:

We service and ride both and they each are great in most respects. The 961 is great as long as all issue are sorted out. The only issue that is yet to be determined is the availability of parts for them. Hard for a factory to support low volume so just be aware critical parts might not be available when the need arises.

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A list of what are deemed ‘critical parts’ would be really useful to those of us who intend the 961 to be a lifetime keeper. I would quite like to start squirrelling parts away. Are we including consumables in this list? Is this worth its own thread?

Stephen_Spencer said:

A list of what are deemed ‘critical parts’ would be really useful to those of us who intend the 961 to be a lifetime keeper. I would quite like to start squirrelling parts away. Are we including consumables in this list? Is this worth its own thread?

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Start with simple items like case gaskets(side covers) and then other parts that are hard to find like the IAC.

Corner taken quickly said:

Hi all,
This is my first post, I’m a owner of a 74 Mk2 commando and I’m toying with the idea of buying 2015 961 sports... does anyone else have an old and newish commando? What’s your impression of the new? And do you think there’s going to be a massive drop in resale value with the 961?

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My advice is to ride it and see how you like it first. Then if you do like it beat the price down as far as you can. The future is uncertain for these bikes and the seller probably knows that too so use it to your advantage.

cliffa said:

My advice is to ride it and see how you like it first. Then if you do like it beat the price down as far as you can. The future is uncertain for these bikes and the seller probably knows that too so use it to your advantage.

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I think that’s good advice.

Buy it if you like it. Buy it to ride and enjoy.

If it goes up in value then thats a bonus.

If it doesn’t then you won’t care cos that’s not what you bought it for !