Resurrected: 2014 Norton Commando 961 Sport Cafe Racer for Sale

2014 Norton Commando 961 Sport Cafe Racer
Miles: 3,047
Third Owner
Clean California Title
Listed Price: $15,900

The Norton motorcycle brand was such a performance powerhouse in its day that its name still casts a shadow that reaches into the modern era, and the brand has been the subject of a number of attempts to bring it back from the dead, although most of those bikes have been so much vaporware to this point. The only exception has been the Norton Commando 961 Sport, an evolution of Kenny Dreer’s restomod Nortons of the early 2000s that were so highly modified they ultimately shared almost no parts with the original Norton Commando on which they were based. The Commando 961 began development in 2008 when Dreer’s project was taken over by a British company and the design was further modernized and readied for “mass” production, although much of the development had already been done by Dreer. As you’d expect, displacement was now 961cc, but the engine still used the original Norton design’s pushrod actuated valves and remained air-cooled. A 270° crankshaft replaced the original 360° component to further refine the engine, and an electric start was fitted with an eye toward improving the ownership experience for riders who may have already had a hip replaced… The updated engine put a claimed 80hp through a five-speed non-unit gearbox and the finished bike performs as you’d expect: the engine is rough and agricultural, but emotional and full of character. The quality Öhlins suspension and fundamentally sound suspension geometry mean good handling, and the bike is excellent fun if your expectations are reasonable.

Cafe Racer Norton 961 Commando 2014 Sport “Limited Edition” Original 3047 miles

Exceptionally rare limited edition low miles (3047) Norton Commando Cafe Racer with brilliant Iconic Black paint job and Gold pen striping that shows very well. The 961cc Limited Edition Commando has a very strong parallel-twin motor mated to a well engineered 5-speed manual transmission. Built in England (see Pic side cover) this new version of the Norton Commando received favorable press reviews upon its release. If you’re in the market for a new motorcycle and you want something that will really separate you from the crowd, look no further than this outstanding Norton Commando Café Racer…

I have cared dearly for this bike (always inside my garage and wiped down after every ride), same by previous owner and I am only the 3rd owner, Also I had just put new tires on bike as it sits more than I have the time to get to ride it due to my out of state job requirements which is also why I am selling it … this bike needs to be rode and enjoyed- not sitting around
*Bike is in excellent condition and has never been down *

Here is more INFO on this bike ….

UK businessman Stuart Garner, owner of Norton Racing Ltd, acquired the rights to the Norton Commando brand. His company, Norton Motorcycles (UK) Ltd, then established a new factory at Donington Park, Leicestershire in 2008 to manufacture a new Commando model. This new Commando was designed by Simon Skinner. There are three models in the new Commando range: A limited edition of 200 Commando 961 SEs, a limited edition Cafe Racer and a Sport model. In March 2010 Norton shipped the first new Norton Commando for over 30 years

*NOTE: This Bike Also Comes With the original Sale manual and Shop manuals (see pics)
* ALSO: To Serious inquiries – I just took a quick video of starting the bike and the bike running and accelerating – I am willing to send this video if you are a out of town purchaser to validate the quality of the bike…

To be completely honest, I want to like the Norton Commando 961 Sport Cafe Racer more than I actually do. I love the idea of it, and there’s a high level of craftsmanship on display here, along with quality components, all wrapped around that handsome and charismatic chunk of an engine and gearbox. But to me the styling all looks just a bit too modern to be retro, and a bit too retro to be modern. But I’m in the minority among my motorcycling buddies: most people I know seem to just love these. And while the $16,000 asking price is far from cheap, it does buy you a pretty exclusive bit of kit, with the aforementioned craftsmanship and detailing, and quality suspension components. The admiration of all the boomers at your local bike night is included for no additional fee.

-tad