Motorcycle specifications Norton961 Dominator 2016 A roadside sting

Norton has made an elegant return to business with its 961 Commando. Class, nostalgic thrills, pure, lethal lines. And yet, the brand aspires to more emotions, to more raw, authentic, sporty sensations. So it decided to revive one of its most famous models, the Dominator. Introduced in 1949, this motorcycle inaugurated the twin-cylinder engine for the British manufacturer. Today, imbued with a café-racer spirit infused with minimalist essentials, this roadster teases enthusiasts of rebellious machines with a dry, powerful taste.

an old-fashioned "sports bike" that puts you in direct contact with mechanical virility. The Dominator is demanding, sugar-free and straightforward. But what a beauty! Extremely compact, unadorned and menacing, this Norton is proud of its nervous, furious silhouette. Like a warrior without skin or fat, with metallized muscles. Every part is useful, every part to the point. This street racer has only one desire: the pleasure of riding. But not the kind that takes a 200-strong hypersport apart on a racetrack. No, the kind that grabs you by the gut, that urges you to go faster around the next bend, that takes you into a dimension of visceral pleasure. Take time to admire the beast. With its spoked rims largely concealed by its Brembo braking system, 320 mm discs with radial piston calipers. In conjunction with the Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber, the suspension is promised to be firm and hard-working on everyday roads, but highly effective when the asphalt is up to the task.

Derived from the 961 Commando, the Dominator benefits from a revised chassis. The rear section of the frame has been modified, and the steering column has been pulled in. A special tubular steel swingarm adds to the machine's exclusivity. The rider will only become aware of the delicious bitterness of this machine once on board.

it's only here, on the slice of bread that is the saddle, that the lucky owner can truly appreciate the Spartan comfort offered by this beautiful English machine. The dual needle speedometer is charmingly vintage. But that's not the most important part of riding. First of all, you have to go and get the handlebars to put your body in a position of attack and discomfort. The arms will suffer on the ride, the ridiculous turning radius will make you think twice about every manoeuvre and U-turn; while the alliance of body and machine will make perfect sense when the road turns again and again. Ready to go?
Then get started! The parallel twin seems to have stepped out of the past, when Nortons and Triumphs were at war. Also taken from the Commando, the 961 cm3 has undergone no changes whatsoever. It distills vibratory pleasure at the pace of 80 horsepower. Power isn't everything. The appeal of this engine lies in its character. The absolute is not in the revs, but in the mid-range. You have to know how to savor it, and then follow the bike's temperament to be deliciously ravenous with intrepidity.

we've seen some beautiful parts on the chassis. And not only that. Carbon is a beautiful material, with mudguards, airbox covers, windshields and rear hulls. This stern element is a moment of admirable insolence, shortening the Dominator's rear section to the limit - any shorter and you'd be sitting on the wheel. Aluminum, stainless steel, polished parts, a superb tank that could be displayed like a Rodin bust, the bike flirts with high standards. It's just a shame that some of the components are much smaller, such as the plain mirrors and the two-bit turn signals.
A little jewel with a typically English flavour, the Norton Dominator is one of those motorcycles with a strong character, devastating charm and elitist accessibility. Its price, relative comfort and use reserve it for a very specific category of biker. Those who chew steel for breakfast - not to impress their friends, but to bite into the road without sweeteners.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos