Norton Commando 961 SP - Review After 1500 Mile Mountain Rally

In this video Bry reviews the Norton Commando 961 SP (961cc parallel twin cylinder engine) after she took it on the 1500 mile Great Malle Mountain Rally.

// ABOUT THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CHANNEL
The Classic Motorcycle Channel is for people who love classic, vintage and antique motorcycles. We are passionate about classic motorcycles and produce high quality motorcycle profile videos, restoration videos, restorer profile videos and also anything that takes our interest.

We also have a second YouTube channel for workshop video logs and additional video content - @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel2

// CHANNEL PARTNERS
- Alex Rollings - director and producer for the channel.
YouTube: @motofilmer
Instagram: @motofilmer
- Dave Mitchell - in house mechanic, presenter and producer. Dave also owns and runs a classic motorcycle workshop called Mitchell's Classics.
- John Oakes - presenter and producer. John is a classic motorcycle enthusiast, rider and restorer and works closely with us on all our video content.
Instagram and Facebook: @classicbikeman

// A BIG THANK YOU TO
- Bikesure for sponsoring this video production.
Facebook: @bikesureinsuranceservices
Instagram: @bikesure
- Norton Motorcycles loaning us the bike.
Facebook: @NortonMotorcycles
- Malle for taking and looking after Bry on the trip.
Instagram: @mallelondon
Facebook: @MalleLondon
- Shane Benson for taking the photos on behalf of Malle London.
Instagram: @shaneobenson
- Bry Martin for going on this trip and being in our video.
Instagram: @bryrides
- Alex Rollings for producing the video.
YouTube: @motofilmer
Instagram: @motofilmer

// IMAGE CREDITS
All images of The Great Malle Mountain Rally are courtesy of Malle London. Malle London also own the copyright to these images.
Photo credit for the images goes to Shane Benson
Instagram: @shanobenson

#nortonmotorcycles
#mallelondon
#nortoncommando

[walt]

It's good to see a review where someone is enthusiastic about the norton. I think it looks and sounds great. I doubt I'll ever be lucky enough to ride or own one but that doesn't stop me admiring them.

[andygardiner]

Like your enthusiasm. And your honesty. I totally agree. The 961 is the most authentic modern classic on the market today. The limited vibration that is there only adds to the character of the bike. Personally, I loved it so much when I test rode one, I ordered one there and then. 5 months later, I have no regrets. All the best.

[davidforsdike]

Have riden them both . The Truxton just feels like any modern bike. The Norton is really special.

[TheChrisglasgow]

I have a triumph bobber which i absolutley love an i see it as a bike that i will never sell and these Nortons look just as special. Hopefully ill be adding 1 of these to my garage soon

[chhindz]

I have not ridden through the Alps on a new black Norton since 1973.

[stephencartwright]

Another wonderful video. Your joy and enthusiasm are truly infectious. Thank you for sharing this experience.

[sidweazel]

Really enjoyed your review, I think you nailed it with ‘it might not be the most practical but it’s the most fun’
That was a true life experience just there, and you did it in the classiest most beautiful retro in the world 😊, congratulations.

[highestsprings]

This makes me want this bike. Credit for riding it all that way. I rekon taking the Norton made that trip even more special, great stuff.

[MrPotatochips]

For perspective, a restored 1974 with electric start is the same amount of money. Kick start only is 20 kg lighter. Most fun bike ever, the 2023 may be more fun, but kickstarting a 850 Commando and the vibration at idle was a visceral connection to the machine I really loved. Have a good one.

[ronr]

Wow, thst is brave. Just got full license, never has seen a switchback in her life and tackles the big passes of the alps with an likely already classic bike.
I appreciate balls 👍 😊

[jakecrib]

I had a 1969 Norton 850 Commando and loved it. I also had a 1969 Triumph Bonneville . Both were back in the 70's. I loved British twins and was sorry to see them go under. I'm happy they are back and hopefully doing well. The sound and feel was adictive and the looks so sexy and masculine. The new Norton looks amazing. I would love to try one out.

[jroberthadden]

You should have that bike. I can tell that you really do love riding it and, trust me, life goes by in a flash. Don't look back thirty years from now and have this as one of your regrets. Get it.

[alaindavis]

enjoyed your review, just wish there was some riding footage so we could hear and enjoy
the sound.

[Vernon]

Really enjoyed that. Definitely not perfect, but really enjoy riding mine...and hats off for doing the rally...must look into that! Awesome video 👍

[TheBROtisserieChicken]

Oh my that bike is nice. I really wish for one day Norton will have some US dealerships but wishful thinking. But that bike is super cool looking.

[Ian-bqgp]

You got some bottle riding that just after passing your bike test. Well done. I can imagine how you can be in trouble when a car driver makes you change your line in the middle of a hairpin bend in the alps. Thank god its so well balanced with such great handling and brakes and the torque helps with low down power in being forgiving on tight low speed bends but they dont have the tightest turning circle for u turns anyway. My honda vfr800 caught me out on full lock and ive been riding bikes 40 years. It was in a car park at work.

[neilthomas]

Firstly a great review Bry and well done on doing an awesome trip just 3 months after getting your full license. The Norton 961sp is definitely on my wish list but i have been told i need to sell some bikes first 😅..i have an original 1973 commando 850 Mk1 interstate which is restored in silver so i can definitely see one of these in silver sitting next to it...just need to persuade my better half!😊

[seanheadley]

Agree there are better on paper bikes, but i love it and its quirks, sounds and looks ace, its a keeper for sure

[jamesonpace]

"I fell on Stelvio" is the best conversation starter, ever....

[sammalloc]

People are saying it's overpriced. In a way it is. But on the other hand it's probably one of the few bikes built in the UK.


Maybe the only thing it's lacking is power.