The New Norton

[the Ferret]

A new Cycle World hit the mailbox today. They test the new Norton Commando.

Bottom line, a lot of vibes, 490 pounds without fuel ( measured, Norton claims 415) 517 wet, 70.8 rwhp @ 7200 rpms, 58.7 ft lbs of torque@ 5660 rpms. 8K redline, 1/4 mile 12.85 @ 103.05 mph, $ 19,995.00 msrp

Target demographic 40-60 year olds coming from cruiser or vintage background

[redbirds_imp]

I read that article today. A nice looking bike that captures the look of the original but far too much money for what you get IMO. For $20K I would rather have an original with updated carbs and electrics which are available.

[NightRider_imp]

I read that article today. A nice looking bike that captures the look of the original but far too much money for what you get IMO. For $20K I would rather have an original with updated carbs and electrics which are available.

Got that right. The older ones look better IMO but I am stuck in the past.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

A new Cycle World hit the mailbox today. They test the new Norton Commando.

Bottom line, a lot of vibes, 490 pounds without fuel ( measured, Norton claims 415) 517 wet, 70.8 rwhp @ 7200 rpms, 58.7 ft lbs of torque@ 5660 rpms. 8K redline, 1/4 mile 12.85 @ 103.05 mph, $ 19,995.00 msrp

Target demographic 40-60 year olds coming from cruiser or vintage background

Guys are shelling out more than that for new YZF-R1s, S1000RRs, R1200GSs, and the like. So this is not out of line for the market.

Also it looks, from the images at the website, like a very nice build. So $20K for a nice, solid piece, lively power, most likely excellent suspension/brakes, and one heck of a conversation piece. Lotsa geezers'll be happy to take out a loan for that kind of modern nostalgia.

Bottom line, is it fun to ride? If not, forget it. We saw plenty of warm and welcoming press on the FZ09 but it tanked as a serious motorcycle.

I had the earlier Bonneville, it was OK but never had the potential of the CB1100. Hopefully this Norton will serve it all up for us old guys.

[kmoney_imp]

A new Cycle World hit the mailbox today. They test the new Norton Commando.

Bottom line, a lot of vibes, 490 pounds without fuel ( measured, Norton claims 415) 517 wet, 70.8 rwhp @ 7200 rpms, 58.7 ft lbs of torque@ 5660 rpms. 8K redline, 1/4 mile 12.85 @ 103.05 mph, $ 19,995.00 msrp

Target demographic 40-60 year olds coming from cruiser or vintage background

Guys are shelling out more than that for new YZF-R1s, S1000RRs, R1200GSs, and the like. So this is not out of line for the market.

Also it looks, from the images at the website, like a very nice build. So $20K for a nice, solid piece, lively power, most likely excellent suspension/brakes, and one heck of a conversation piece. Lotsa geezers'll be happy to take out a loan for that kind of modern nostalgia.

Bottom line, is it fun to ride? If not, forget it. We saw plenty of warm and welcoming press on the FZ09 but it tanked as a serious motorcycle.

I had the earlier Bonneville, it was OK but never had the potential of the CB1100. Hopefully this Norton will serve it all up for us old guys.

I think this is the theory behind a lot of the retro bike pricing (including the CB). If you're older, you own you house and your kids are grown and gone, this isn't really a stretch for most of the target market.

It's a cool idea. I've seen a few of the new Nortons (not these, but 2013-14 or so) and their parts and build quality are probably inline with the price -- I mean they are basically hand-assembled custom bikes. That said, that's a lot of coin for a bike -- $26K CAD makes it about the same as a Panigale S here.

They are beautiful bikes though (obviously an oldschool one below)

[NightRider_imp]

A new Cycle World hit the mailbox today. They test the new Norton Commando.

Bottom line, a lot of vibes, 490 pounds without fuel ( measured, Norton claims 415) 517 wet, 70.8 rwhp @ 7200 rpms, 58.7 ft lbs of torque@ 5660 rpms. 8K redline, 1/4 mile 12.85 @ 103.05 mph, $ 19,995.00 msrp

Target demographic 40-60 year olds coming from cruiser or vintage background

Guys are shelling out more than that for new YZF-R1s, S1000RRs, R1200GSs, and the like. So this is not out of line for the market.

Also it looks, from the images at the website, like a very nice build. So $20K for a nice, solid piece, lively power, most likely excellent suspension/brakes, and one heck of a conversation piece. Lotsa geezers'll be happy to take out a loan for that kind of modern nostalgia.

Bottom line, is it fun to ride? If not, forget it. We saw plenty of warm and welcoming press on the FZ09 but it tanked as a serious motorcycle.

I had the earlier Bonneville, it was OK but never had the potential of the CB1100. Hopefully this Norton will serve it all up for us old guys.

I think this is the theory behind a lot of the retro bike pricing (including the CB). If you're older, you own you house and your kids are grown and gone, this isn't really a stretch for most of the target market.

It's a cool idea. I've seen a few of the new Nortons (not these, but 2013-14 or so) and their parts and build quality are probably inline with the price -- I mean they are basically hand-assembled custom bikes. That said, that's a lot of coin for a bike -- $26K CAD makes it about the same as a Panigale S here.

They are beautiful bikes though (obviously an oldschool one below)

I think this is the theory behind a lot of the retro bike pricing (including the CB). If you're older, you own you house and your kids are grown and gone, this isn't really a stretch for most of the target market.

It's a cool idea. I've seen a few of the new Nortons (not these, but 2013-14 or so) and their parts and build quality are probably inline with the price -- I mean they are basically hand-assembled custom bikes. That said, that's a lot of coin for a bike -- $26K CAD makes it about the same as a Panigale S here.

They are beautiful bikes though (obviously an oldschool one below)


Exactly. Look at that Commando. It is a timeless beauty even with that cylinder head slow seepage. The new one does not look 20 k but the old one does to me. Am I alone? I don't know. Perhaps. Perhaps then "Magic Carpet Ride" is just an old song and a new one will be just as good?


Magic Carpet Ride

By Steppenwolf

I like to dream yes, yes, right between my sound machine
On a cloud of sound I drift in the night
Any place it goes is right
Goes far, flies near, to the stars away from here

Well, you don't know what we can find
Why don't you come with me little girl
On a magic carpet ride
You don't know what we can see
Why don't you tell your dreams to me
Fantasy will set you free
Close your eyes girl, look inside girl
Let the sound take you away...

[CB4ME_imp]

This thread needs some eye candy:

[redbirds_imp]

Eye candy indeed, lovely bike.

[4 Paws_imp]

Nice looking bike! Not a grocery getter.
I agree with a lot of the sentiment already voiced - an older crowd can and frequently does have multiple bikes and we frequently choose a look or brand with some vintage appeal because we can.
Modern engineering with the nostalgic link to the past, like classic rock without the skips on the phonograph.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Nice looking bike! Not a grocery getter.
I agree with a lot of the sentiment already voiced - an older crowd can and frequently does have multiple bikes and we frequently choose a look or brand with some vintage appeal because we can.
Modern engineering with the nostalgic link to the past, like classic rock without the skips on the phonograph.

Yes. If I didn't already have my retro-vintage bike of choice, along with some other bikes, I'd consider the Norton very seriously. Not until after some credible reviews were posted and enough time had gone by to establish reliability and ride quality, though. But it is very, very nice looking.

I have had enough of carburetors and will never buy another bike with them. And the Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes speak for themselves.