Norton expands its range

A reference from the 70s, the Norton Commando is making a comeback thanks to the passion and tenacity of an English businessman. For 2010, the brand unveils two more accessible versions of its splendid 961 SE: the Cafe Racer and the Sport.

Building on the past luster of the venerable Norton brand (111 years of history anyway!), Englishman Stuart Garner deploys considerable energy to revive the saga of the British manufacturer…

Now located in premises of 1,400 m2 near the Donington Park circuit, the brand caused the stir of fans of the Commando character by unveiling the worthy descendant of the millstone of Jean Manchzeck of Joe Bar Team: the Commando 961 SE ( read) !

Powered by a 961 cc air-cooled inline-twin (80 hp and 90 Nm of torque), this superb homage to the seventies features a serious tubular steel frame, Ohlins suspensions, carbon fiber rims and high-end Brembo "Gold Series" brakes.

Only 200 copies sold (and already all sold!) At a price of £ 15,995 (€ 17,900), the 188 kg dry Englishwoman is now supported in her mission of reconquest by two equally attractive but less elitist versions: the 961Commando Cafe Racer and the 961 Commando Sport.

The Cafe Racer retains the main technical characteristics of this "resurrected" Commando, but it adopts an elegant fork jump, handlebars bracelets, an inverted Ohlins fork and re-styled mufflers. To bring its price down to £ 13,495 (€ 15,100), it abandons the distinguished carbon parts of the SE and adopts a less prestigious Brembo braking system but whose calipers display a modern radial attachment..

Barely less tempting than its predecessor, the Sport version also skips the carbon abundantly used on the Commando SE but retains its "Gold Series" axial fixing braking from Brembo. A luxury equipment that does not prevent this 961 Commando Sport from being displayed at £ 11,995 (€ 13,400) on the other side of the Channel !

It now remains to manufacture enough Commandos to supply an international network … which however remains to be rebuilt in a tense economic context. A delicate mission, but Stuart Garner seems determined and resourceful … A valiant heart nothing impossible? Stay connected !

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