Norton Commando 961 (2023) - Review

Price: £16,499 | Power: 76.8 bhp | Weight: 230kg | Overall BikeSocial Rating: 4/5

Review – Intro

Fifty-five years after its world debut back in 1967, the latest incarnation of the Norton Commando is about to hit the dealerships, and while the sales figures over its first decade hit 55,000 – a figure unlikely to be matched nowadays – the two variants, Sport and Café Racer, feature a re-engineered 961cc parallel twin motor, top-spec components and a superb level of finish in a bid to recapture nostalgia.

“Our plan is that Norton should always make a Commando. We would argue it’s the most powerful sub-brand in motorcycling, it has the ability for a machine to connect with popular culture,” said Christian Gladwell, Chief Commercial Officer.

“It’s a very different bike – over 36% of the parts have been materially changed. That’s changing the material, changing the technical drawings, changing the specifications. The amount of work and effort, and no little talent, that’s gone into completely re-engineering significant parts of this machine which means we can actually step out with a Commando with a full two-year warranty, and we can offer the full ability to service and support within the UK,” he continued.

With two variants (SP – Sport, and CR – Café Racer) differing only by their handlebars, and by £500 in their price tag, on offer, BikeSocial’s Michael Mann went to Berkshire to ride them back-to-back and to hear more on the Norton Motorcycles’ plans following its Indian takeover in April 2020. Does the charming British twin still have what it takes to whisk owners back to the days of pure, non-electronically governed, and raw riding? Does the sight, smell and sound still form a sumptuous recipe motorcyclists can’t resist? 

Review: Norton Commando 961

Mr Mann rides the two variations of the new-for-2023 Norton Commando 961

Norton Commando 961 (2023) - Price

How much is the 2023 Norton Commando 961? The two-bike range starts at £16,499 for the SP (for Sport) model, while the CR (Café Racer) variant comes in at £16,999. The only difference between the two being the handlebars which therefore impacts on the riding position. Lower-style clip-ons for the CR while the SP has more sit-up-beg risers.

Colours available for each:

Commando 961 SP

• Matrix Black with polished rims

• Matrix Black with black rims

• Manx Platinum with polished rims

 Commando 961 CR

• Matrix Black with polished rims

• Manx Platinum with polished rims

Deposits are being taken now with the first bikes being delivered in Q1 of 2023.

Norton Commando 961 (2023) - Engine, Gearbox & Performance

Over one-third of the engine’s parts have been upgraded with a brief to ‘increase the quality of finish’, and while the overall silhouette of the bike might be near enough identical to the outgoing version it’s the invisible work deep within that has made the 2023 version of Norton’s icon work, and work well. The frame, gear mechanism, fuel tank, cam shafts, cam chains, crank case, engine calibration (via hours of rig-based testing) are all upgraded plus the material advances with, for example, aerospace level brushed billet aluminium top clamps which are hand-welded. If you’ve not seen the video we shot behind-the-scenes at the new Norton HQ in Solihull back in November 2021, then here’s the link.

Thankfully, the orchestral resonance from the pair of low and sexy smooth exhausts that halt either side of the rear axle, still bellows strongly, the vibrations shake the number plate and the natural nuances of an internal combustion engine tinker with your senses – it’s a real flashback. That said, Norton has been a little naughty by not complying with Euro 5 emission regulations and instead type approving the new Commando under SVA (Single Vehicle Approval) government rules aimed at those building bikes in their sheds which have no restriction on overall CO, hydrocarbons or NOx, which is the stuff that mainstream manufacturers have to comply with. Nevertheless, the 961cc air-and-oil cooled parallel twin rumbles to a red line of 7500rpm – wheezily towards the top end as the peak torque figure of 81Nm / 59.7 lb-ft strikes at 6300rpm while a peak power figure of 76.8bhp / 57.3Nm is only achieved 250rpm short of that redline.

The motor is most at home in the mid-range and away from the very short 1st and 2nd gears. Used only to gain momentum, 3rd is where anything happens and that can be achieved easily by 25mph. It’s a shame that 1st and 2nd are almost identical because there are only five gears to play with, and that makes overtaking more of a challenge that requires a little planning. On the plus side, dropping down and using the very neat throttle connection to drive the power through gives you another chance to soak in the aural pleasures residing from that superb rattly howl.

Changing gear, like most rider inputs on the Norton is a worthwhile and precise action, neat and almost theatrical - there’s a very definite purpose followed by a refined, soothing ‘ah’ from the bit inside the helmet. You feel like you’re guiding a much older machine with all the sentimental and evocative benefits instead of riding in fear that it’s going to conk out, spurt oil, or not engage a gear.

The performance figures are fairly irrelevant. One does not purchase, polish or pilot a Commando because of its ability to rip up the road and make mincemeat of litre sportsbikes. Oh no, this is a refined and luxurious 230kg mass, one that shows its occupant the reality of carefree ride: perhaps a candidate to cure those with stressful lives, even if it’s a short-term fix.

Norton Commando 961 (2023) - Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight)

A modern luxury motorcycle costing the thick-end of seventeen-grand really ought to ride and steer well which is all well and good because the Commando comes with manually adjustable Ohlins suspension front and rear, adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping. As I sauntered (because on this Norton you certainly don’t romp or gallop) from Marlborough towards Newbury, I catch my shadow on the road and see the suspension working in real time as the wheels appeared to be bobbing up and down as I glided along the A4. The settings on which the bike had been handed to me for this ride were well suited to the road conditions – with no adjustment required. It held the corners well, though its mass wouldn’t be ideally suited for more serious backroad scratching. Under heavier braking, and even off the brakes and through the rebound phase, the Commando provided a sumptuous ride. Predictable in the turn courtesy of a set of grippy Dunlop Sportmax tyres adorning the 17” polished aluminium rims. Though if I were being picky, and that is my profession after all, I’d suggest a slightly softer saddle.

The throttle connection is crisp: neither too eager nor too languid. Its twin disc Brembo brake set-up has a span-adjustable lever which provides enough of a comfortable squeeze to slow you as you’d expect to be slowed on such a graceful-yet-230kg (plus my 90kg bulk) motorcycle. While I didn’t test the ABS, I did deliberately jolt the front brake to check the bike’s reaction and other than a sturdy fork compression the stopping power was more than acceptable.

Norton Commando 961 (2023) - Comfort & Economy

The bike’s 15-litre tank sits high and wide, deliberately so to ensure plenty of leg room and a narrow stance. Look at the bike from above and the waist where saddle meets fuel tank is barely a glove’s length across. The riding position of the Café Racer (funny how ‘Sport’ and ‘Racer’ are in each name, yet neither are) is more suited to hip-to-knee position though I found it hideously uncomfortable on my neck and forearms, though once our kind guide rider took my backpack, the situation cleared and I could ride the CR how it was supposed to. Lock-to-lock on both models is poor so be careful when shuffling the bike around tight spaces or when riding at low speed in town or car parks.

Naturally, the layout of the SP model is suited to a more comfortable ride though even here, and at six feet tall, I was still feeling a little stretch in my arms. I couldn’t quite fit my legs under the tank, nor into the indents so they sort of hung there on the outskirts of this narrow stunner.

The saddle is firm and has enough length to slide forwards or backwards. On the introductory ride, the longest single session was no more than 25-miles so I can’t comment on comfort over longer distance. A hearty portion of any bikes’ mass is in the engine and the Norton’s twin sits low in the frame with the cylinders canted forwards slightly. Vibrations through the touchpoints of foot pegs, handlebars and seat were noticeable and favourable – they just fit with the style and character

Norton Commando 961 (2023) - Equipment

This is easy: none. Such was the brief to treat the Commando with the desirability of the original, there’s little in the way of rider aids, just the necessary ABS, a bit of TC and the aforementioned suspension. And that’s your lot. It’s basic yet beautifully, brutishly British.

From a convenience perspective, you’ll need a backpack to carry anything other than pocket-sized essentials, and I would advise against any more than 1 x ignition key and 1 x rubber keyring, otherwise there’ll be scratches.

Norton Commando 961 (2023) - Rivals

Modern-day, no-frills café-racers/retro-inspired motorcycles aren’t hard to come by. But those with top-spec components, an iconic name and such a road presence are. Triumph’s tech-laden (by comparison) Thruxton is as close as it gets, but what else comes close?

Triumph Thruxton RS | Price: £13,595

Read more

Power/Torque

104bhp / 82.6 lb-ft

Weight

197kg (dry)

Kawasaki Z900RS | Price: £11,229

Read more

Power/Torque

110bhp / 72.6 lb-ft

Weight

215kg

Yamaha XSR900 | £10,200

Read more

Power/Torque

117bhp / 68.6 lb-ft

Weight

193kg

Norton Commando 961 (2023)- Verdict

New Norton is a world of design, metal and love for a brand that goes way beyond a badge on the tank of a motorcycle. The proof is in the Solihull-based pudding as to whether the brand’s reputation can become as tasty as it once was. There’s no doubt the fanbase has been hurt by the shenanigans towards the end of the Garner era, c. Jan 2020, but the level of care, attention, investment and resource would have you believe the 2023 Commando is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the resurrection of this great British brand. 124 years after it was born, the top brass here are talking about being custodians with a challenge to ensure the next 124 years are a success. EV, Hyperbikes, racing using a heritage fleet, plus brand collaborations and clothing/accessories might be in the public eye so far, but there’s a whole load of sexy secrets being modified, homogenised, and purified. Apparently. Exciting times for sure.

During those next 124 years, the propulsion of a motorcycle will change, and when we’re grey and old and reminiscing, we’ll look at photos of this Norton Commando 961, and watch videos just to hear and see it in action. From the engine character to acceleration-related noise, to the way it makes you smile as the plush suspension defies the rougher ride you expected, the Norton fills you full of happiness. A gear selection indicator, perhaps a mini fly-screen, and an improved kick-stand mechanism wouldn’t go amiss but the nostalgic vibrations through the points of contact plus high quality of finish more than make up for a few nice-to-haves. This sophisticated and attractive machine is properly engineered, achingly good to ride, and so fashionable I’m surprised it doesn’t have a beard.

If you’re looking for rider aids, tech and a country-wide dealer back-up then look at a Triumph. However, if you want an authentic old school experience but with the reliability of a modern motorcycle then step this way.

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Norton Commando 961 (2023)- Technical Specification

What is MCIA Secured?

MCIA Secured gives bike buyers the chance to see just how much work a manufacturer has put into making their new investment as resistant to theft as possible.

As we all know, the more security you use, the less chance there is of your bike being stolen. In fact, based on research by Bennetts, using a disc lock makes your machine three times less likely to be stolen, while heavy duty kit can make it less likely to be stolen than a car. For reviews of the best security products, click here.

MCIA Secured gives motorcycles a rating out of five stars (three stars for bikes of 125cc or less), based on the following being fitted to a new bike as standard:

• A steering lock that meets the UNECE 62 standard

• An ignition immobiliser system

• A vehicle marking system

• An alarm system

• A vehicle tracking system with subscription

The higher the star rating, the better the security, so always ask your dealer what rating your bike has and compare it to other machines on your shortlist.