Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/958653
2018 NORTON COMMANDO 961 LIMITED 50TH EDITION CALIFORNIA FULL TEST P94 guard and headlamp bowl/be- zel, while the engine has been finished in the classic combo of a silver cylinder head and polished rocker covers sitting on a black cylinder barrel, as first featured on the hotted-up Combat version of the original 745cc Commando back in 1972. A bike cover and paddock stand are also included in the price. "You can also have a black anodized finish if you prefer," adds Garner. "We're acknowledging that the Commando model has had fabulous support to keep it alive for half a century, with a little hiccup in the middle for a few years until we got it going again from 2010 onwards. We see this as an opportunity to say thank you to our customers, while forfeiting a bit of profit to do so." But once the 50 limited edition bikes are sold, the California will continue in production for the same price, but without all the options included as standard, which must then be paid-for as extras. But it's the Cali's high-rise handlebar that really makes it stand out—it's what used to be termed a Western Bar back in the '70s, and is heaps more rational than the even taller ape-hanger bar featured on Choppers. "We wanted to mark the Commando's 50th anniversary year with some- thing appropriate," says Garner, 49. "Many riders like yours truly are getting a little older these days, and suddenly all our joints are a little stiffer than before! So delivering a more upright riding position is something we've been asked for that seemed a sensible move, and the 50th birthday gave us a trigger point to introduce a more easy-riding Commando with nearly everything else the same as the Sport. So it's a handlebar option only, giving quite a differ- ent riding position as opposed to any extra levels in performance. But we've made sure that the footpegs aren't any further for- ward, and there's no plug-in iPod or suchlike—it's still a sport bike!" So it sounds like this is the nearest that Norton may ever get to building a cruiser. "You're right, it's about as close as we can get to a factory Custom Nor- ton," says Garner. "When it was first launched at the Milan Show in November we originally got some stick for the riding position on social media, but then when those same people come to try it out, they go, 'Oh, actually, it's really comfortable!" Okay, so it's a good bit away from what you'd think of as a normal Norton rid- ing position would be today, but The new Commando California is a satisfying blend of old and new and a mixture of period chilled-out attitude combined with modern civility. Instruments are pure retro.