More Afternoon Moto News - New Norton, Motorcycle Safety & Allstate Giveaway

The new Norton Motorcycles will begin producing their Norton Commando 961 in England. Of course, we all know that the original design was penned by American Kenny Dreer, but it is Stuart Garner who had the resources to finally get the marque back in the business of making machines of lust. The first 50 Nortons should get to the US this year - that's a good thing when you consider how long many of these people have been waiting for their 2010 Commando.

http://tinyurl.com/y9zfewc

The California Highway Patrol is pushing a message of looking out for motorcyclists all across the state. Of course, the target audience is auto and truck drivers (mostly auto) drivers. The MSF is quite happy about this work as you would expect - and we should all thank the CHP for the effort. It is better than being ignored as we are in other states...

http://tinyurl.com/yhz7qo8

Through a press release, the Allstate insurance company has announced a special giveaway. One lucky winner will win a one-of-a-kind custom motorcycle designed by legendary bike builder Dave Perewitz. It will be revealed on 19 February (I will update this post at that time) and will be a Pro Street style machine. To enter the "Allstate Pro Street Sweepstakes" please take the link to the link...

http://tinyurl.com/y8udajk

More Afternoon Moto News - Brutale 1090RR Review & New Norton Races!

The new MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR is something to behold - lovely, powerful, and very well-made. Well, how does it perform on the street? Well, let's just say that the Brutale sets the standard in the naked bike segment as it always has. The author here finds it slightly less perfect than the Streetfighter, but at least the Brutale has well-sorted suspension right off the production line and it is much more reliable than the Ducati...and that is borne out through the large number of warranty work on the new Streetfighter. Go MV and you will never regret it!

http://tinyurl.com/ycvesfx

The 'new' Norton is going racing, finally! Chris Walker, of British and World Superbike series and new Sales Manager for Norton, will be taking the Commando 961 to the Thundersprint event. That's right, no VIP and full access to Walker and the beautiful race bike from the new Norton shop - thanks, of course, to Kenny Dreer. Really fantastic news!

http://tinyurl.com/ydslhmv

In Celebration of the New Norton Commando SE - A Giveaway

Yes, that's right, Motorcycle Classics magazine is giving away a selection of Norton-themed items to the lucky winners of a contest. There is no purchase necessary and entry is a snap. Don't miss your chance to win something!

http://tinyurl.com/ybetmen

First Ride: New Norton Commando 961 SE

So, it has finally been given to at least one journalist for a test ride, after all of these years of waiting. MCN (UK) managed to get a test ride on the new Norton Commando 961 SE at a sunny English track. The author loved the ride and said that the riding position, the handling, the engine - all of the aspects are top-notch, though the suspension is firm, as it should be for this kind of ride. It does behave like you would expect a parallel-twin to, which is what Norton was trying for, and it just looks oh-so-good.

http://tinyurl.com/y9zxjve

Information Released About Canadian Version of Norton Commando 961 SE

The Commando 961 will actually be shown at the Toronto Motorcycle Show next month - as you should know from previous posts. So, now Norton has released some details about the units which will be sold in Canada. It's a rather sweet list of components all linked together by a lovely design courtesy of Kenny Dreer. Really, it is something to behold. Anyway, take a look at how the only 20 machines to be sold in the Great White North will come equipped...

http://tinyurl.com/y87dnjl

PR: Norton Motorcycles is Coming to Canada!

Well, the new Norton is not wasting any time - they are already setting up shop in Canada! Operations will begin in Newmarket, Ontario, and future dealership and service networks will be built. It turns out that this all came about when the principal at the old Norton Canada importer met with the new Norton crew at the Isle of Man TT earlier this year. Talk about serendipity! Thanks again Kenny Dreer!

http://tinyurl.com/yed7klw

Carole Nash International Motorcycle & Scooter Show Preview

In this short piece, we are informed of the events surrounding the Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show which runs 27 November to 6 December 2009 at the NEC in Birmingham, U.K. Actually, there will be at least three major no-shows - Harley-Davidson, Honda and Ducati, believe it or not. I know that Ducati will be presenting a huge line-up at EICMA, so maybe these shows are just too close together for them and their budget. But, plenty more will be at the show including the new Norton with their 961 Commando and Cafe Racer Commando. Expect to see plenty of everything else and don't forget that the British Supercross Championship season begins during this show very nearby...

http://tinyurl.com/yhvvf8d

YES! The New Norton 961 Commando SE Comes to USA

We actually get to see it first-hand in this country! The new Norton 961 Commando SE will make its premier at the Long Beach Cycle World International Motorcycle Show. Often, the US gets overlooked - or, at least the show circuit does - when new models premier in Europe, but not this time. Of course, the design is not too far from Kenny Dreer's hands and it once was right up here in Portland, Oregon. If you can get to the show, please do!

http://tinyurl.com/yhpk6on

The New Norton Commando 961 is Ready to Launch

The good folks over at MCN (UK) have supplied a video close-up look at the soon-to-be-released Norton Commando 961. It will debut at the Carole Nash International Motorcycle & Scooter Show at the NEC in the U.K. The video is short, but they do provide some useful information. Attached to the article is the earlier video in which MCN rides the Commando for the very first time. It is a lovely beast, and I wonder if they are giving Kenny Dreer any credit...

http://tinyurl.com/yzfw828

(New) Norton Begins Production - Finally!

The factory in Castle Donington is now rolling along producing 961 Commando and Cafe Racer Commando motorcycles just this week. Finally, we will again see Norton motorcycles, with modern components and reliability, riding down the roads around us. Stuart Garner, Norton CEO, is more than happy now as the company finally has enough pre-orders to actually start producing two-wheeled machines...

http://tinyurl.com/ylbbba3

http://tinyurl.com/y9745es

The 2009 Norton 961 Commando - Because It IS

Sweet-looking come back for Norton Motorcycles if ever there was one. The 2009 961 Commando stands before you. You have to thank Kenny Dreer for the eye-candy before you...and, of course the new owners as well.

http://tinyurl.com/yzynrjn

New Norton to Debut at Carole Nash Show in Birmingham

The original Norton company was founded in Birmingham, U.K, back in 1898. Now, the new owners - who have brought it back from the dead and purchased it from Kenny Dreer - will be showing their first two production models at the Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show. The 961 Commando and the Cafe Racer Commando will sit alongside the NRV588 rotary at the show...



http://tinyurl.com/yd3vkdf

New Norton 961 SE Commando - Sorry Kenny

The new owners of Norton are said to be releasing only 200 models of this beast, the 961 SE Commando, and I wish that I could buy one! Stuart Garner is not saying much about the company's future, though. If only...a new Norton manufacturing plant would look very nice in my neighborhood. If things had worked out for Kenny Dreer, it would have been quite close by. What a beauty, eh? Someday it will be mine...and, maybe, yours!

http://tinyurl.com/qje2as