First Look: 2023 Norton Commando 961 SP and CR

Revitalised British brand relaunches its Norton Commando 961 modern classic roadster, built at the firm’s new Solihull factory

2023 Norton Commando 961 CR

It’s only two years since the troubled Norton brand was taken over by Indian giant TVS Motors, and this is the first fruits of the new ownership – a relaunched Commando 961 roadster. Using the same parallel twin overhead valve air-cooled engine layout as the original 1970s Norton Commando, the new bike puts out 76.8bhp and 81Nm of torque from an 88x79mm bore and stroke.

2023 Norton Commando 961 SP

A modern fuel injection and engine management system looks after the fuelling, while a full stainless exhaust with 3-way catalyst keeps the emissions clean. Wet clutch, five-speed gearbox and a 525 O-ring chain completes the transmission setup.

2023 Norton Commando 961 SP

The dry-sumped 961cc engine is mounted in a classic steel tube frame that’s hand-made in Solihull using TIG and MIG welding. Running gear is premium kit all round: 43mm Öhlins USD front forks and Öhlins twin rear shocks with remote reservoir, all fully adjustable.

Brakes are by Brembo, with 320mm dual discs up front, four-piston radial-mount Monobloc calipers and Brembo master cylinder. Tyres are Dunlop GPR300s in 120/70 and 180/55 17 sizes. The styling is a big part of the Commando of course, and the new bikes look spot-on, with large round stainless steel headlamp, polished aluminium rims on wire-spoked wheels, and hand-painted fuel tanks with fine pinstripe detailing.

2023 Norton Commando 961 CR

Overall, the engine and chassis setup is a recipe for a sweet-handling classic machine. It’s light enough at around 185kg, but the 77bhp power output is a little bit on the leisurely side. Those cycle parts are excellent though, and the new Commando should make a great fun road bike, with superlative looks and handling.

See also It’s Isle of Man TT 2024 Time!

2023 Norton Commando 961 CR

The new Commando 961 is available in two versions: an SP roadster with upright riding position and wide flat bars, and a CR café racer with a tucked riding position and clip-on bars. The SP costs £16,499 and the CR is priced at £16,999. More info: www.nortonmotorcycles.com/range/commando-961/

NORTON COMMANDO 961 SPECIFICATION

ENGINE

Engine type: Norton air-oil-cooled pushrod parallel twin with dry sump lubrication
Bore & stroke: 88mm x 79mm
Displacement: 961cc
Compression ratio: 10.1:1
Ignition: Crank-fired, electronic fuel injection
Exhaust: Full stainless steel exhaust system with multiple 3-way catalytic converter

TRANSMISSION

Gearbox: 5-speed constant mesh type
Final drive: 525 O-ring chain
Clutch: Wet multi-plate

PERFORMANCE

Power: 76.8hp @7250rpm
Torque: 81Nm @6300rpm

BODYWORK

Colour-matched seat cowl
Fuel tank: 15 Litre
Mudguard: Carbon front mudguard
Optional pillion seat (Aftersales)

CHASSIS

Frame is hand TIG and MIG welded at Norton HQ
Handlebars:

SP: Black anodised tapered high bars
CR: High-grade anodised billet aluminium clip-ons

Wheelbase: 1400mm
Rake: 24.5 º
Trail: 99mm
Seat height: 810mm
Yokes: Billet-machined

BRAKES

Front brakes: Full Brembo system – twin Brembo 320mm fully-floating high carbon steel discs and Brembo 4-piston Mono Bloc radially mounted calipers with ABS, and Brembo front brake master cylinder
Rear brakes: Full Brembo system – Brembo 240mm disc and 2-piston caliper with ABS, and Brembo rear brake master cylinder

SUSPENSION

Front suspension: 43mm Öhlins upside-down forks – adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping
Rear suspension: Öhlins twin shocks with remote reservoir – fully adjustable

WHEELS

Front wheel: 36-spoke, 3.5” x 17” polished aluminium rim
Rear wheel: 40-spoke, 5.5” x 17” polished aluminium rim
Front tyre: Dunlop Sportmax GPR 300, 120/70 x 17”
Rear tyre: Dunlop Sportmax GPR 300, 180/55 x 17”
Optional black rims available with Matrix Black colourway