Thinking of buying a 961.

Possible clue to popularity..........Has anybody ever heard of a 961 being stolen?

Right lets talk sense here, I own a 2015 961 Sport bought new from the factory.  I was told there was a two to three month waiting list and that's exactly what happened. Yes a lot of people bought them as an  investment and got their fingers burnt , good is what I say my reason for getting a 961 was to ride the damn thing not look on it as a financial gain. While I was there a brand new 961 was getting ready to be shipped out with no fluids in it to some ones posh office and put in a glass case just to be stared at all day. In a way I can fully understand that as I spend hours looking at mine which I consider one of the most beautiful looking bikes ever made.

If you're thinking of swapping your Honda and using the 961 daily DONT DO IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.  These bikes are light years away from each other in every respect and running a 961 on a daily basis they wont compete with the Honda. I have covered well over 15K  miles on mine and there have been some issues, only minor ones but at the same time it is not up to Japanese standards but mine has been super reliable unlike some others. I think that I was lucky buying at the time I did because it seems the ones made before 2014 had more problems than those made 15/16, and after that it's my own opinion Garner started buying inferior products when the money started getting tighter and so more problems arose.

Are they good to ride, well only you can answer that one. I think anyone who buys a bike without taking it out for a test ride first needs his/her bumps feeling. It is such a subjective thing that the only way to find out is take one for a spin, which of course might not be that easy if is a private sale. The crank is a 270 degree one so it is more like a V twin than a parallel engine, some people will tell you it vibrates but I call it 'a throbbing' feeling. I grew up with British bikes and class 'vibration' as blown bulbs, triple vision, loosing at least one pound of assorted nuts and bolts and or brackets  and loose fillings after a good ride.

They are no more expensive than any modern bike to run, it will return high forties in MPG  and tyres are the same price as most other bikes. The last time I had it serviced for a 10000 mile one it came to around £400. Unfortunately some of the dealers have gone now thanks to Mr Garner but I service my own now which is quite simple actually and cheap. One word of advice don't mess with the hydraulic tappet adjustment or you may need professional help - (don't ask me how I know) it's bullet proof .

Now spares, everything is up in the air at the moment but the company who have taken over are a multi billion set up and one of the biggest bike manufactures in India. On the Norton website they say they are open for servicing  and spare parts so if that's true there should be no problems. Servicing items such as oil/air filters are readily available at a number of places so no troubles there then.

Would I but another one?.............your bloody right I would, the smile on mi face after a ride says it all, not since my last Commando in 1974 have I talked to a bike when we're alone in the garage. Always give it a pat on the headlight and thank it for a good time--"Sleep tight ".

That's my opinion of my 961, so listen to what other people say but in the end make up your own mind and try to get a test ride first it may just not suit you having been spoiled by Jap technology for so long..  Hoped this has helped you in some way.

Pete

Very good overview Peter. I am not a 961 owner, but have heard from others. James, the problem with all low mileage ones for sale is that you have no idea if it was built correctly (bad parts). If you would like one then get an early version that has done lots of miles and hopefully had items replaced. Word is that the first 200 were built with reasonable components. But you will be on your own for keeping it running.

Now in Peter's very nice picture the more desirable, rideable and reliable bike will be the R1200RS, and in Lupin Blue they are much sought after. Try and find one of those James from around 2015-17 and it will cost less than a 961.

Norm

The Beemer in the picture was owned by Mick the silver haired fella in the photo, I was behind the lens. It's a sad  story, he had his gall bladder out but they damaged his liver so he needed a replacement, they gave him four weeks to live with a six week waiting list but luckily they found one in three. Months after the op he was doing great with all the medication so traded the Beemer for a MT09 and bought all new kit but then he suddenly lost his appetite and was admitted to hospital where they told him he had cancer and only had two weeks left. He passed away early this year, but one thing I know is he loved that 1200 and had toured all over Europe on it and never had a bad word to say about it.

hello you have  now see some addvice I am a long life Norton owners  Bracebridge Motorcycles only as these were the best  and I have owned many  Japanese motorcycles  And still have a Suzuki Gs550 In big lumps a future project  Now If I was You  and wanted a Retro Motorcycle  I go Buy a Honda CB1100Ex  relieable and better looking then the Norton 961  any time  and now we have the reliieble Royal enfield 650 twin along with Kawasaki 650 and 800 retro bikes  and for a light to middel weight Benelli 400 retro singles now on sale and others  bikes like Triumph  and Honda VT and other retros out there that are way better then any Norton 961  but if your  wanting a Norton buy the 650SS one of the best Norton twins  or and Royal Enfield 750 interceptor  one underated motorcycle So there is lots to chose from  You pay your cash and take your chance but remember not every thing that looks good or shines  like gold  may not good inside,  Do  your reseach first  , and happy riding  Yours  Anna J

I’ve had a 2012 Mk 1 961 Sport from new. Also own five other bikes (‘62 BSA RGS , Egli-Vincent , ‘73 850 Commando Mk1a , ‘76 850 Commando Mk3 , 2010 Triumph Thruxton 900). They all have their own character but for all round performance and comfort on a long ride the 961 takes the prize with the modern Thruxton a close second. My 961 has been almost trouble free with just two relays and an indicator flasher unit needing replacement. It does need a well charged battery in good condition to guarantee easy starting.

Are such a subjective thing. Probably the best way to describe a 961 is 'Marmite'.

Some love the look, others seem to hate it. 

Me? If asked, I can't say I like it too much. Personally, there are too many features that look disjointed, just don't 'flow', or are not in proportion. To ME, it seems to be a collection of 'bits' rather than  a clean, cohesive design. Take a side by side picture of a '70's Commando and a 961 and one is elegant and sleek, the other..? Add in the ability to get 'non routine' spares that fit and work first time (e.g. crash damage bits, electronic items) brings them into the same hassles of owning a 60 year old classic Norton. 

Are there better bikes out there (at significantly lower cost)? Certainty are, and lots of them too, but they don't have Norton on the tank.

That said, if someone has their heart set on a 961 and providing that they have researched properly and know the pitfalls and buy wisely, then why not? 

Well James, your last post answers all your original questions: "...I do very little mileage just pottering around locally, as I have the use of 3 cars also. I try to buy British..."

James Norman, if you like the look of a 961 and it will make you smile everytime you open the garage,, then get one. I was out for a ride with a small group a few weeks ago and one of the guys was on a 961and it did everything the other bikes did. 

Would it run oval rings around one....that wasn't their finest hour was it?. Also there was the Honda "Dullsville" very aptly named . When I had my KTM serviced they gave me a Nonda 750NC as a courtesy bike, when I got back the manager , who obviously liked Rondas asked me how I liked it .I said "it's a very relaxing bike to ride"  (I hate people who say they drive bikes)  "It's so boring I fell asleep coming back". About as exciting as watching a worm race.

Oh and by the way 90% of the bad things you said about the 961, I had an B/S 88 with the same problems, only with terrible vibration  to boot.  :)           

 Submitted by Anna Jeannette Dixon on Sat, 15/10/2011
Forums
Donington Nortons

Hello To all Norton owners The 961 Commando is The Best Built Machine under the name of Norton , and the Engineering is superb And well Engineered motorcyle , And worth every penny that you pay for one . Its like buying a Manx Norton and just as special and it will retain its value for a very long time and the value of these machine may even go up is price , the Owners that have got there New 961 Commados Will be very proud in owning one , And If you Have Not thought of buying one yet , then go and Have a Visit to The Norton Factory first and see for your self at first hand , And I know that you will what to own one. There A worth wile investment , The Future Can only get brighter For Norton Motorcycles. There Built with the light of experience .Your Anna J Dixon

Hello  Now TVS as Dropped the  961  So it will be long made  so  now like our old nails and is now  obsolete  yours  anna j

A quote attributed to TVS, from the Access Norton forum:

"We are going to be producing another 40 961 Motorcycles towards the end of the year beginning of next and then we shall not be producing the 961 any longer, however you will still be able to purchase parts for your motorcycle should you require them".

I believe Euro5 for bikes came in on Jan 1 2020 & there is a year's grace for bikes currently in production before they must gain Euro5 or cease - the 961 is only Euro4 so I think TVS has little choice at present

Plus Garner sold the 961 Engine manufacturing rights to the Chinese, so no point in using an engine in an premium priced bike also used in a cheap Chinese look alike.

Has there been any news out of China as to what the Chinese are going to do with the rights?

Mike