‘The Norton Commando, especially the 850, is the best British twin of its era’

Norton is a name that’s close to the hearts of classic bike fans everywhere. I’m a massive fan of the brand and, because of that, The Bike Specialists has always enjoyed a close relationship with the marque – especially since its 2008 relaunch. Since then, the Norton name hasn’t always enjoyed a smooth ride and the recent descent into administration has, understandably, left a lot of customers angry, frustrated and confused. That’s a shame, because I firmly believe the best of the new Nortons will become classics in their own right – just like the machines from the company’s first incarnation.

We were involved with the new Nortons from the start. And we could see a strong following for them emerging. Despite the bikes being offered for sale cheaper direct from the factory, a lot of people chose to pay more and buy from us. Why? Because we had the bikes in stock, could finance them, take part-exchanges and support owners with an effective warranty backup. They didn’t have to deal with the factory themselves. We kept our customers happy and they could enjoy their bikes worry-free.

I really believe the new generation of Nortons will become classics. And, while I can’t predict the future with any certainty, it looks like Norton’s new owners, TVS, are making a genuine effort to rebuild the brand’s reputation. They plan to keep much of the manufacturing in the UK, and warranty claims and existing orders are being honoured. Perhaps Norton can move on and become a part of the motorcycling scene for years to come. I hope so, anyway.

Of course, for many Norton fans, the classics are the real deal. While I’m a big fan of the original Meriden Bonneville, I think the Commando – especially the 850 – is the best British twin of its era. It’s fast, pretty reliable and great to ride. The heart might lean towards the Bonneville, but the head always says Commando. We usually have a couple of nice examples in stock.

Whether you prefer the originals or the new Nortons, I hope you’ll be able to carry on enjoying them for many years.