Live Saturday Collections - Scotland to Northwich (New Norton Commando)

[Hawkeyethenoo]

Scores on the doors for the Vauxhall van. Colour me impressed.

 

Mixing it with the heavies.

 

[bangernomics]

Very lovely that. Was it a £69pm 2yr deal or have you gone full spuds deep?

I was very tempted by the borrow one for a bit price but for the fact I would end up doing no miles these days.

[Hawkeyethenoo]

  On 19/01/2025 at 09:57, bangernomics said:

Very lovely that. Was it a £69pm 2yr deal or have you gone full spuds deep?

I was very tempted by the borrow one for a bit price but for the fact I would end up doing no miles these days.

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Yes it was. It's basically a rental, although I have a feeling she'll be a keeper, time will tell !

[Forty45]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah6_ZCufdbY

 

This was a bargain.

[Hawkeyethenoo]

  On 19/01/2025 at 13:03, Forty45 said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah6_ZCufdbY

 

This was a bargain.

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Aye a one off used bargain. I'm over paying by a tenner a week. 😟

[martc]

  On 18/01/2025 at 22:05, Hawkeyethenoo said:

Comes with a 24-month warranty, so yes the heavily revised and constantly under revision, TVS 961 SP.  Apparently, Norton are now sold out of Commandos until July/August. There's even a Scottish Norton dealer, Revolutions in Perth, ken.

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Ah, that's good news, the pre TVS ones have a 'reputation'.

I'm thinking of a change in bike, the Commando and the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello are on my very short list. To be honest, I'm 90% certain it'll be the Guzzi, but my nearest Guzzi dealer also deals in Nortons so a last minute change of mind could be in the offing.

[Hawkeyethenoo]

  On 19/01/2025 at 16:02, martc said:

Ah, that's good news, the pre TVS ones have a 'reputation'.

I'm thinking of a change in bike, the Commando and the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello are on my very short list. To be honest, I'm 90% certain it'll be the Guzzi, but my nearest Guzzi dealer also deals in Nortons so a last minute change of mind could be in the offing.

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Fantastico, I'd love a go on one.  I liked the metallic green colour but they don't seem to offer that? Ciao.

https://www.motoguzzi.com/gb_EN/models/v100/v100-mandello-1000-v-twin-4s-2024/

[Hawkeyethenoo]

  On 19/01/2025 at 16:02, martc said:

Ah, that's good news, the pre TVS ones have a 'reputation'.

I'm thinking of a change in bike, the Commando and the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello are on my very short list. To be honest, I'm 90% certain it'll be the Guzzi, but my nearest Guzzi dealer also deals in Nortons so a last minute change of mind could be in the offing.

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Can confirm that the footpegs are now spring loaded like they always should have been. That would have annoyed me, switch gear is suitably basic, but is functional. Click to cancel indicators, dip and main beam is really all that's required and oh look, I have a volt meter and clock too. Winning! I can't fault the fit or the finish of the Norton and I'd say an Moto Guzzi V100 is a very good, modern, alternative and an Italian one at that. Happy shopping. 

[martc]

  On 19/01/2025 at 18:28, Hawkeyethenoo said:

Fantastico, I'd love a go on one.  I liked the metallic green colour but they don't seem to offer that? Ciao.

https://www.motoguzzi.com/gb_EN/models/v100/v100-mandello-1000-v-twin-4s-2024/

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They still do the silver/green one,  it's the top of the range version (the 'S'). I prefer the red colour, which is the basic model. But for a good spec the middle range one would be my choice. Unfortunately this is in battleship grey as it celebrates the Guzzi founders links with the Italian equivalent to the Fleet Air Arm.

Having said that, the dealer does have an ex-demo S, in silver/green at a reasonable price...

Anyhow, sorry for the thread hijack, back to Norton goodness.

[Hawkeyethenoo]

This was caught on camera on Saturday. Steerer probably from the Wishaw area, as she turned off there.

 

[Hawkeyethenoo]

  On 18/01/2025 at 16:46, doug said:

Decorating the bedroom this week. When I pulled the bedside cupboard out this was down the back covered in stoor. It's from 2008. 

If you want it PM me an address and I will post it out.

P.S. well bought. ....always wanted one of these.

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Doug, arrived safe and now framed and taking pride of place. Thanks again mucker. John.  🖖

[Hawkeyethenoo]

First ride happened; man, we was patient. 124 miles into the required 500 mile running in process and first service. Handles like it looks, a 1960's road racer, surprisingly comfortable too, but the best bit aside from the looks, is the glorious sound and over all riding experience, pure unadulterated, motorcycling !

First impressions, the bars are a tiny bit of a reach and the foot pegs feel quite wide, that's true on both counts, but after 20 mins I start to feel more at home. The gearbox is as smooth as silk and you just need to breath on the lever when going up or down, first engages without any clunk and neutral is easy enough to find when needed, waiting at bloody traffic lights where I am complied to halt!

Clutch is also light, but not too light, I spent a couple of mins adjusting the Brembo levers 'in a little' on bit both sides and that's better. The brakes are good, rear has instant bite/retardation which pleases me, and the front does too progressively needing a fair touch of pressure to get things really retarding, but hey, they’re new let’s not go balls into tank brake testing, just yet! Most of the time they're not needed as there's plenty engine braking from the big old pushrod twin motor and this is the bike you ride slower, John, remember!

The handling is sublime, slightest nudge/even pressure on the bars and the bike drops into the bend, is easy to hold or adjust the line and feels more like a 175kg moto, that a 200+ one. Feels properly sorted oot man! Happily there plenty of straight-line stability too so you can relax around the NSL, let the bike do the work and enjoy glances at the bonnie views on display between bends.

I do find the bars just a bit of a reach and wonder if a modest set of bar risers would be worth exploring. I like to keep my head up when riding and the bars at current mean I'm straining my neck somewhat to do that. I'll see what's available, any suggestions welcome. None available as yet from the mothership, Norton HQ.

Ohlins suspension is just Ohlins, firm side of bloody well plush. From today's ride I'm using around 80% of the available front travel which is pretty much cock-on. On high-speed bumps it does send a jar up my arms and back, so the base setting Oakmere Norton installed is indeed, good, but can be tweaked a wee bit yet. Perhaps a little less/more rebound damping F&R? That's the one that needs fiddling with I feel. The seat is also firm but supportive, so comfortable and there's room to move around back, forward, side-to-side depending on your level of commitment. The tank is so bloody thin as a thin thing, I struggle to grip it with my knees without doing myself an under-carriage injury, so haven’t. Just in-case I do, I’ve bought a PPF kit, tank pad and sides to DIY install for fifty quid online. Best done now before it gets marked.

Route was up to Lix Toll, Killin, Aberfeldy, Pitlochry - fuel stop took two gallons of BP super unleaded to fill 14 quid - then up to Kirkmichael, then Blairgowrie, Perth and hame. Roads were somewhat dry, just run off mainly and reasonably quiet, especially up by Kirkmichael, except for a few other like minded motorcyclists oot going the other way. So, in summary, it's not going to set your hair on fire in performance terms, but as a motorcycling riding experience, it's very hard to compare anything else with and in that respect, it is a bike in its own separate class and boy is it classy. I hope to get the running in process done quite quickly and get the first service done at Revolutions in Perth and then the real fun can begin. Manual suggests keeping the revs to a maximum of 3000 for the first 300 miles. That won't and hasn't happened. I hit 5500 revs on the way back because the overtake was on in fourth. Max speed was about 80 indicated, as still running in, ken, will be good for a ton-up boys and little bit more with fairwind. Once up to fifth gear and sitting around 65mph the wind is helping support the upper body, that and the glorious sound from the twin pipes and the direct mechanical connection makes it feel even at that pace, a rather enjoyable way to travel.

Talking about Dukes. I came up behind two cars on the Loch Tay Road and while waiting for the overtake to be on, I heard this enormous clatter behind me, it sounded like a car crash. WTF. I looked in my mirrors again to see a young lad on modern Ducati Street-fighter, popping and banging and making a right racket. I nipped out and overtook the cagers and then he blasted past shortly after. Good lad.

Negatives, no fuel gauge, but has warning light which illuminates at around 4L remaining, 40 odd miles range probably. Trip meter, battery voltage, clock, they are all present and correct. 15L tank so range is probably around 150 miles on super unleaded. Steering lock is minimal, but with a little forward planning and good positioning it's not an issue.

Good vibrations. There are vibes from the bars at tick over, Harley esque, some vibes through the pegs but not at high frequency, so part of the riding experience and riding character, which overall is glorious; none through the seat that are noticeable and magically, as one hits 4k on the tachometer, it all smooths out to background tingles as the glorious noise develops from the exhaust as the smile widens on my face accordingly. This is what I'm talking about.

It's the ideal bike for sunny blast around local back & A roads and in proper summer conditions, 200 miles + wouldn't be an issue, comfort wise. Already got to the edge of the tread on the tyres with a bit more in reserve, as always m’lord. She handles and she stops, tick.

In summary, Norton and their owners do need congratulating on doing something no-one else is doing; producing small volume motorcycles that are a joy to look at and ride and longer term, hopefully a joy to own. So far so good. I hope to be out again if not over the weekend, Monday, as it has enthused me about motorcycles again which I hope continues, there really is nothing like traveling on a motorcycle, it’s that other thing that God gave us because he loves and wants us to be happy, along with beer.

If you can, have a go on a Norton, you might just fall head over heels in love and I can dig it.

 

[Jazoli]

  On 14/03/2025 at 21:58, Hawkeyethenoo said:

First ride happened; man, we was patient. 124 miles into the required 500 mile running in process and first service. Handles like it looks, a 1960's road racer, surprisingly comfortable too, but the best bit aside from the looks, is the glorious sound and over all riding experience, pure unadulterated, motorcycling !

First impressions, the bars are a tiny bit of a reach and the foot pegs feel quite wide, that's true on both counts, but after 20 mins I start to feel more at home. The gearbox is as smooth as silk and you just need to breath on the lever when going up or down, first engages without any clunk and neutral is easy enough to find when needed, waiting at bloody traffic lights where I am complied to halt!

Clutch is also light, but not too light, I spent a couple of mins adjusting the Brembo levers 'in a little' on bit both sides and that's better. The brakes are good, rear has instant bite/retardation which pleases me, and the front does too progressively needing a fair touch of pressure to get things really retarding, but hey, they’re new let’s not go balls into tank brake testing, just yet! Most of the time they're not needed as there's plenty engine braking from the big old pushrod twin motor and this is the bike you ride slower, John, remember!

The handling is sublime, slightest nudge/even pressure on the bars and the bike drops into the bend, is easy to hold or adjust the line and feels more like a 175kg moto, that a 200+ one. Feels properly sorted oot man! Happily there plenty of straight-line stability too so you can relax around the NSL, let the bike do the work and enjoy glances at the bonnie views on display between bends.

I do find the bars just a bit of a reach and wonder if a modest set of bar risers would be worth exploring. I like to keep my head up when riding and the bars at current mean I'm straining my neck somewhat to do that. I'll see what's available, any suggestions welcome. None available as yet from the mothership, Norton HQ.

Ohlins suspension is just Ohlins, firm side of bloody well plush. From today's ride I'm using around 80% of the available front travel which is pretty much cock-on. On high-speed bumps it does send a jar up my arms and back, so the base setting Oakmere Norton installed is indeed, good, but can be tweaked a wee bit yet. Perhaps a little less/more rebound damping F&R? That's the one that needs fiddling with I feel. The seat is also firm but supportive, so comfortable and there's room to move around back, forward, side-to-side depending on your level of commitment. The tank is so bloody thin as a thin thing, I struggle to grip it with my knees without doing myself an under-carriage injury, so haven’t. Just in-case I do, I’ve bought a PPF kit, tank pad and sides to DIY install for fifty quid online. Best done now before it gets marked.

Route was up to Lix Toll, Killin, Aberfeldy, Pitlochry - fuel stop took two gallons of BP super unleaded to fill 14 quid - then up to Kirkmichael, then Blairgowrie, Perth and hame. Roads were somewhat dry, just run off mainly and reasonably quiet, especially up by Kirkmichael, except for a few other like minded motorcyclists oot going the other way. So, in summary, it's not going to set your hair on fire in performance terms, but as a motorcycling riding experience, it's very hard to compare anything else with and in that respect, it is a bike in its own separate class and boy is it classy. I hope to get the running in process done quite quickly and get the first service done at Revolutions in Perth and then the real fun can begin. Manual suggests keeping the revs to a maximum of 3000 for the first 300 miles. That won't and hasn't happened. I hit 5500 revs on the way back because the overtake was on in fourth. Max speed was about 80 indicated, as still running in, ken, will be good for a ton up boys and little bit more with fairwind. Once up to fifth gear and sitting around 65mph the wind is helping support the upper body and the glorious sound from the twin pipes makes and direct mechanical connection feel even that pace, is rather enjoyable way to travel

Talking about Dukes. I came up behind two cars on the Loch Tay Road and while waiting for the overtake to be on, I heard this enormous clatter behind me, it sounded like a car crash. WTF. I looked in my mirrors again to see a young lad on modern Ducati Street-fighter, popping and banging and making a right racket. I nipped out and overtook the cagers and then he blasted past shortly after. Good lad.

Negatives, no fuel gauge, but has warning light which illuminates at around 4L remaining, 40 odd miles range probably. Trip meter, battery voltage, clock, they are all present and correct. 15L tank so range is probably around 150 miles on super unleaded. Steering lock is minimal, but with a little forward planning and good positioning it's not an issue.

Good vibrations. There are vibes from the bars at tick over, Harley esque, some vibes through the pegs but not at high frequency, so part of the riding experience and riding character, which overall is glorious; none through the seat that are noticeable and magically, as one hits 4k on the tachometer, it all smooths out to background tingles as the glorious noise develops from the exhaust as the smile widens on my face accordingly. This is what I'm talking about.

It's the ideal bike for sunny blast around local back & A roads and in proper summer conditions, 200 miles + wouldn't be an issue, comfort wise. Already got to the edge of the tread on the tyres with a bit more in reserve, as always m’lord. She handles and she stops, tick.

In summary, Norton and their owners do need congratulating on doing something no-one else is doing; producing small volume motorcycles that are a joy to look at and ride and longer term, hopefully a joy to own. So far so good. I hope to be out again if not over the weekend, Monday, as it has enthused me about motorcycles again which I hope continues, there really is nothing like traveling on a motorcycle, it’s that other thing that God gave us because he loves and wants us to be happy, along with beer.

If you can, have a go on a Norton, you might just fall head over heels in love and I can dig it.

 

Expand  

Nice, I'm on the waiting list for the next lot of deals for one of these, I missed the last £69/£69 deal last year.

[Noel Tidybeard]

i live 4 miles from their factory unit!