View Full Version : Classic Cafe Racer - Am I nuts or what?
After reading this weeks MCN I have to admit I am really liking the new Norton 961 Commando. And I'm seriously considering having one as an addition in the garage. I am into the `old school - cafe racer` styling and I think its great. Or do I have no taste and turned into a duddery boring old fart? I'm 36 already you know;)!
For those who missed it see the Norton here http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/bike/961_gallery.asp?imageNum=1
it's nice i'd rather have the rotary race bike mind you now thats a tasty peice of machinery.
Me too, but I have a sneaky feeling thats going to be silly money.
i think they'll probably make the big mistake of going all prestige and expensive and not like trumpet who make the everyman bikes i cant see them lasting long tbh.
DarrenSV650S
12-12-08, 10:59 PM
It is tidy. Don't think the gold forks suit it though
It is tidy. Don't think the gold forks suit it though
blame ohlins ;)
That looks amazing..
Damn, am 17..
I must be getting old..
Tim in Belgium
12-12-08, 11:11 PM
Being a sucker for JPS colour schemes and cafe racers I love this bike. And I'm only 28, but with some grey hair if that helps :)
looks like its a thumbs up then.
I will be keeping the SV whatever happens. The best value for money bike I have ever owned.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but they are using an overstretched development of an engine that was already pushed beyond its design spec nearly 40 years ago - and was unreliable as a result. The old Commandos I've ridden have been awful enginewise, which is why Nortons had their engines ripped out and Triumph ones (which are also crap by anyone's standards) fitted to make Tritons - so what makes this development any better?
It looks great, but I wouldn't touch one with a barge-pole
dizzyblonde
12-12-08, 11:53 PM
the unanimous vote from the sofa...is......its damn sexy.:-D
well we ain't old, hes 29 i'm 31. ...and we got 3 SRX600s that are in their 20s, and they bloody rock. Theres summat about a cafe racer type that, well they are defo a lot of fun
Yep, I'm loving that...
I'm only 41... with a few less grey hairs than Tim...
JPS old school colours Rock...
rictus01
13-12-08, 02:26 AM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but they are using an overstretched development of an engine that was already pushed beyond its design spec nearly 40 years ago - and was unreliable as a result. The old Commandos I've ridden have been awful enginewise, which is why Nortons had their engines ripped out and Triumph ones (which are also crap by anyone's standards) fitted to make Tritons - so what makes this development any better?
It looks great, but I wouldn't touch one with a barge-pole
actually it's an all new engine, I've been following the development for a few years now, it's designed to have the same look cases, but that's it, having owned an original commando I can't say that's a bad thing.
Cheers Mark.
mister c
13-12-08, 08:32 AM
We will have to see if it sees the light of day or whether it's just another pipe dream.
thedonal
13-12-08, 09:34 AM
Nice looking bike. Can't help thinking it'd look better with dropped clip-ons for the full cafe look.
Now if they did one with a fairing as well, I'd probably be in love.
It'd be nice to see Norton back on the scene and doing well- but I can't help thinking this is another of those short lived nostalgia things. Hope I'm wrong...
actually it's an all new engine, I've been following the development for a few years now, it's designed to have the same look cases, but that's it, having owned an original commando I can't say that's a bad thing.
Cheers Mark.
Tnanks for that, I thought the engine looked like an original 70s one.
Why couldn't they have done a 'Hinckley Triumph' and built something different, something that would appeal to a mass maket, rather than do the same sad old 'British bike of the 60s' thing all over again.
The Brtitish bike industry died because nostalgia wasn't selling bikes and development of new technically advanced models was killed off by the accountants. A new Commando would be great, but only if released alongside more mainstream models - in much the same way that Triumph have their Bonnies and other twins alongside their regular range.
I fear this incarnation will go the same way as others before it
Biker Biggles
13-12-08, 09:39 AM
Maybe they will go for a modern model off the back of the new racer,but now probably isnt a good time to try and launch anything.The way the economy is going we could all be buying hoses and carts soon.
thedonal
13-12-08, 09:46 AM
You kidding? Do you know how much a horse is to run? You need stables, food, vet fees..... I'd rather stick with the bike!
Tnanks for that, I thought the engine looked like an original 70s one.
Why couldn't they have done a 'Hinckley Triumph' and built something different, something that would appeal to a mass maket, rather than do the same sad old 'British bike of the 60s' thing all over again.
The Brtitish bike industry died because nostalgia wasn't selling bikes and development of new technically advanced models was killed off by the accountants. A new Commando would be great, but only if released alongside more mainstream models - in much the same way that Triumph have their Bonnies and other twins alongside their regular range.
I fear this incarnation will go the same way as others before it thats what i said earlier i really would like to see norton's stuff kick up and do really well as a manufacturer but unless they do what triumph has done and broaden their appeal to the everyday bikers i cant see it all going very far.:(
wyrdness
13-12-08, 11:16 AM
I can't quite decide. I like most of it, but not the forks or shocks, and there's too much space above the rear wheel.
It looks too tall, compared to the original:
http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/images/961/961_22.jpg
http://www.jerrydoe.com/commandoslideshow/timingsidefull.jpg
Now if it looked more like that, then I'd want one.
mister c
13-12-08, 01:39 PM
I can't quite decide. I like most of it, but not the forks or shocks, and there's too much space above the rear wheel.
It looks too tall, compared to the original:
http://www.jerrydoe.com/commandoslideshow/timingsidefull.jpg
Now if it looked more like that, then I'd want one.
"EEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeee I remember when bikes were bikes, just look at that saddle, comfy as you like, all that chromework for you to polish, even comes with a disc brake as standard" Them were the days eh!
Nothing is ever mentioned about the big patches of oil all over the floor, the constant breaking down, carry your tools with you at all times, handle like a shopping cart on drugs & the "ours is the best in the world, so why try to improve it" attitude...............Oh yes I remember the British bike industry. :)
Don't get me wrong, they are goregeous to look at, but I wouldn't want to own one & use it as a daily rider.
wyrdness
13-12-08, 01:42 PM
Don't get me wrong, they are goregeous to look at, but I wouldn't want to own one & use it as a daily rider.
I wouldn't really want to own an old one, but I'd love a modern bike with those looks. The new one doesn't quite do it for me.
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