First Ride on the Red SF 961

G81 Can Cycle

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I took the new 961 up to the Barber Vintage Festival in Alabama. Actually I went up one week earlier to start the break-in process on some nice mountain roads.

I scouted a great loop to ride (about 70 miles). 2 lane road through the mountains, new asphalt, minimum cross traffic, nice elevation changes, and lots of curves.

Each day of the break-in rides it was 60 to 65 degrees F. Perfect days with no clouds.

First day, took it easy, checking out the bike, and working hard at remembering that I needed to shift on the left side. LOL

Each day the loop became more and more of my personal race track. Top speed on the loop was about 60 MPH, so it was easy to keep the motor under 3500 RPM for break-in. There were several hairpin turns where 30 MPH was close to dragging a foot rest (although twice I did discover that they fold, instead of dragging)

The loop gave a great work out to the gearbox. It was smooth and precise. Combination of gearbox and clutch was one of the nicest I have operated (although I have no other modern bike experience)

Current Opinion: I love this bike.

Now: On to Barber / I camped trackside with other vintage Norton riders. Everyone was impressed with the bike, and upset with me that I would not let them ride it :mrgreen: I had a pit pass, so I rode the 961 through the pits to see some friends who were racing. I could not get 50 yards without someone stopping me and wanting to take pictures or discuss the "New" Norton. :D On Saturday, the INOA had their traditional "Turn 6" lunch. The 961 was proudly displayed in front of the tent area. The group next to us was the Vincent Owners Association, and there were about 50 magnificently restored Vincents on display (I need a calculator to figure how much money that was worth /
50 Vincents = ?,???,???.??) But I think there were more pictures taken of the 961 than of the Vincents. :shock:

Questions: I am NOT near any Norton dealership. I bought this from an individual, so I have no dealer loyalty issues. Of the Norton dealers in the USA, who is doing the best support job? Are any of them able to do remapping yet? What about different exhaust systems, which dealers are selling and supporting the upgraded Norton systems?
 
G81 Can Cycle said:
I took the new 961 up to the Barber Vintage Festival in Alabama. Actually I went up one week earlier to start the break-in process on some nice mountain roads.

I scouted a great loop to ride (about 70 miles). 2 lane road through the mountains, new asphalt, minimum cross traffic, nice elevation changes, and lots of curves.

Each day of the break-in rides it was 60 to 65 degrees F. Perfect days with no clouds.

First day, took it easy, checking out the bike, and working hard at remembering that I needed to shift on the left side. LOL

Each day the loop became more and more of my personal race track. Top speed on the loop was about 60 MPH, so it was easy to keep the motor under 3500 RPM for break-in. There were several hairpin turns where 30 MPH was close to dragging a foot rest (although twice I did discover that they fold, instead of dragging)

The loop gave a great work out to the gearbox. It was smooth and precise. Combination of gearbox and clutch was one of the nicest I have operated (although I have no other modern bike experience)

Current Opinion: I love this bike.

Now: On to Barber / I camped trackside with other vintage Norton riders. Everyone was impressed with the bike, and upset with me that I would not let them ride it :mrgreen: I had a pit pass, so I rode the 961 through the pits to see some friends who were racing. I could not get 50 yards without someone stopping me and wanting to take pictures or discuss the "New" Norton. :D On Saturday, the INOA had their traditional "Turn 6" lunch. The 961 was proudly displayed in front of the tent area. The group next to us was the Vincent Owners Association, and there were about 50 magnificently restored Vincents on display (I need a calculator to figure how much money that was worth /
50 Vincents = ?,???,???.??) But I think there were more pictures taken of the 961 than of the Vincents. :shock:

Questions: I am NOT near any Norton dealership. I bought this from an individual, so I have no dealer loyalty issues. Of the Norton dealers in the USA, who is doing the best support job? Are any of them able to do remapping yet? What about different exhaust systems, which dealers are selling and supporting the upgraded Norton systems?

South Bay Triumph/Norton in SoCal offers exhaust systems, but neither Munroe Motors in SF or South Bay have the ECU connector tool. Once South Bay gets the tool, they will complete work on maps and provide such maps to those having purchased exhausts from them. Sounds crazy, but mine seems to be getting better in time (not as lean), but I still want the remap. I've got 2,000 miles now and am loving it.
 
DBono said:
G81 Can Cycle said:
I took the new 961 up to the Barber Vintage Festival in Alabama. Actually I went up one week earlier to start the break-in process on some nice mountain roads.

I scouted a great loop to ride (about 70 miles). 2 lane road through the mountains, new asphalt, minimum cross traffic, nice elevation changes, and lots of curves.

Each day of the break-in rides it was 60 to 65 degrees F. Perfect days with no clouds.

First day, took it easy, checking out the bike, and working hard at remembering that I needed to shift on the left side. LOL

Each day the loop became more and more of my personal race track. Top speed on the loop was about 60 MPH, so it was easy to keep the motor under 3500 RPM for break-in. There were several hairpin turns where 30 MPH was close to dragging a foot rest (although twice I did discover that they fold, instead of dragging)

The loop gave a great work out to the gearbox. It was smooth and precise. Combination of gearbox and clutch was one of the nicest I have operated (although I have no other modern bike experience)

Current Opinion: I love this bike.

Now: On to Barber / I camped trackside with other vintage Norton riders. Everyone was impressed with the bike, and upset with me that I would not let them ride it :mrgreen: I had a pit pass, so I rode the 961 through the pits to see some friends who were racing. I could not get 50 yards without someone stopping me and wanting to take pictures or discuss the "New" Norton. :D On Saturday, the INOA had their traditional "Turn 6" lunch. The 961 was proudly displayed in front of the tent area. The group next to us was the Vincent Owners Association, and there were about 50 magnificently restored Vincents on display (I need a calculator to figure how much money that was worth /
50 Vincents = ?,???,???.??) But I think there were more pictures taken of the 961 than of the Vincents. :shock:

Questions: I am NOT near any Norton dealership. I bought this from an individual, so I have no dealer loyalty issues. Of the Norton dealers in the USA, who is doing the best support job? Are any of them able to do remapping yet? What about different exhaust systems, which dealers are selling and supporting the upgraded Norton systems?

South Bay Triumph/Norton in SoCal offers exhaust systems, but neither Munroe Motors in SF or South Bay have the ECU connector tool. Once South Bay gets the tool, they will complete work on maps and provide such maps to those having purchased exhausts from them. Sounds crazy, but mine seems to be getting better in time (not as lean), but I still want the remap. I've got 2,000 miles now and am loving it.

Thanks DBono

That is the second recommendation I have received for South Bay. I will contact them about upgraded exhaust. Have you upgraded your exhaust? If so, what system did you add. (shorty or peashooter)
 
G81 Can Cycle said:
DBono said:
G81 Can Cycle said:
I took the new 961 up to the Barber Vintage Festival in Alabama. Actually I went up one week earlier to start the break-in process on some nice mountain roads.

I scouted a great loop to ride (about 70 miles). 2 lane road through the mountains, new asphalt, minimum cross traffic, nice elevation changes, and lots of curves.

Each day of the break-in rides it was 60 to 65 degrees F. Perfect days with no clouds.

First day, took it easy, checking out the bike, and working hard at remembering that I needed to shift on the left side. LOL

Each day the loop became more and more of my personal race track. Top speed on the loop was about 60 MPH, so it was easy to keep the motor under 3500 RPM for break-in. There were several hairpin turns where 30 MPH was close to dragging a foot rest (although twice I did discover that they fold, instead of dragging)

The loop gave a great work out to the gearbox. It was smooth and precise. Combination of gearbox and clutch was one of the nicest I have operated (although I have no other modern bike experience)

Current Opinion: I love this bike.

Now: On to Barber / I camped trackside with other vintage Norton riders. Everyone was impressed with the bike, and upset with me that I would not let them ride it :mrgreen: I had a pit pass, so I rode the 961 through the pits to see some friends who were racing. I could not get 50 yards without someone stopping me and wanting to take pictures or discuss the "New" Norton. :D On Saturday, the INOA had their traditional "Turn 6" lunch. The 961 was proudly displayed in front of the tent area. The group next to us was the Vincent Owners Association, and there were about 50 magnificently restored Vincents on display (I need a calculator to figure how much money that was worth /
50 Vincents = ?,???,???.??) But I think there were more pictures taken of the 961 than of the Vincents. :shock:

Questions: I am NOT near any Norton dealership. I bought this from an individual, so I have no dealer loyalty issues. Of the Norton dealers in the USA, who is doing the best support job? Are any of them able to do remapping yet? What about different exhaust systems, which dealers are selling and supporting the upgraded Norton systems?

South Bay Triumph/Norton in SoCal offers exhaust systems, but neither Munroe Motors in SF or South Bay have the ECU connector tool. Once South Bay gets the tool, they will complete work on maps and provide such maps to those having purchased exhausts from them. Sounds crazy, but mine seems to be getting better in time (not as lean), but I still want the remap. I've got 2,000 miles now and am loving it.

Thanks DBono

That is the second recommendation I have received for South Bay. I will contact them about upgraded exhaust. Have you upgraded your exhaust? If so, what system did you add. (shorty or peashooter)

Yes, I upgraded my exhaust. They don't have shorties, just smaller peashooters, with choice of high HP or high torque (but same HP). I got the latter -- huge improvement.
 
To answer your question of remapping. Just got an email from a Norton exec. saying the remapping CDs and software is being sent to US dealers this week. Yay
 
Britfan60 said:
To answer your question of remapping. Just got an email from a Norton exec. saying the remapping CDs and software is being sent to US dealers this week. Yay

I just got off the phone with Matt Capri at South Bay Norton / Triumph (really great guy by the way)

He also said that he was expecting the software and remapping files very soon. So there seems to be some hope for remapping capabilities in the states soon

Also gave Matt a credit card number for new exhaust system for the 961 Waaaahoooooo
 
I have the X pipe and the pea shooters. DS ? Are those the South Bay exhaust? Anyway.....they are AWESOME. Real deep and meaty without being excessively loud. Enjoy them. I can't wait for the remap either. The bike ran good but cold starts were a bit of a pain in the ass.
 
Britfan60 said:
I have the X pipe and the pea shooters. DS ? Are those the South Bay exhaust? Anyway.....they are AWESOME. Real deep and meaty without being excessively loud. Enjoy them. I can't wait for the remap either. The bike ran good but cold starts were a bit of a pain in the ass.

Talking to Matt today I believe what you have are South Bay upgrades. He explained that I will keep the stock header pipes, the "X" pipes are the items supplied to replace the "cat" section of the exhaust. The pea shooters slip onto the "X" pipes. At least this is how I understood the explanation Al parts are 304 polished/welded stainless. I cannot wait to see, and, hear them
 
Really great guy .. lol snake oil salesman. read all about him on any BMW owners site.. horror stories.
 
huskyfrk said:
Really great guy .. lol snake oil salesman. read all about him on any BMW owners site.. horror stories.

I do not read many BMW sites, as I have never owned a BMW (2 or 4 wheel)

I had one phone call with Matt, where he seemed professional, and treated me with respect. I did actually make a purchase of a new exhaust system. I have not seen the system yet, but will start a new thread when it arrives to pass on my opinion of the system

My one and only, limited, dealing with Matt was a good one. Hence my opinion above that he seemed like a great guy to me.
 
They look pretty much the same as stock but that sound really turns heads. I've had some old bikers say " I heard to from about 1/4 mile away and just knew whatever it was, it was British" Its a real grunt from the belly. Love the sound.
 
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