Norton 961 SP

Of course, simplicity doesn’t mean simple. We build the Commando from the best materials; the front mudguard is carbon fibre and the yokes are made from aerospace grade aluminium. We also finish the 961 with the best components available – the fully adjustable forks and shocks come from suspension experts Öhlins, while the brakes come from the Italian maestros at Brembo. As for the engine, that’s far from simple either. Completely redesigned, reengineered and reworked over the past two years, the latest 961cc parallel twin is the most advanced version to date and places a smidge over 76bhp in your right hand. Sometimes the old ways are the best though, which is why it’s still air-oil cooled, still has a dry sump and still sounds as mean as it ever did. We also think reliability never goes out of fashion either, so it’s been built to go 6000 miles between services meaning you get to spend more time on the road and less in the workshop. All that’s left to do now is swing a leg over one and see what everyone has been lauding for the last 56 years.