Reborn Anti-bland

It may look like an old Norton Commando, the one launched back in 2015 by the old” and now disgraced Norton regime. In fact, however, a claimed 36 per cent of the motorcycle is completely new and over 300 components have been vee changed or re-designed. Here is our first impression following a first ride in Shakespeare County

- Adam Child Chad

THIS IS A BIG STEP for "new" Norton, the Solihull-based company that has been revitalised under the ownership of the well-known Indian manufacturer, TVS Motor Company. Over £100 million (Rs 925 crore) have been invested to bring Norton back from the depths and the new Commando is one of the first fruits of that enormous financial commitment.

When TVS took over, they looked at Norton's existing bikes, the Commando and V4S superbike, listened to criticism and stripped back both bikes to the bare bones. Through vigorous testing, new Norton identified the problem areas and then set out to rectify them.

While the old Commando was designed and built under the Stuart Garner regime with a limited budget, tooling, and staff, new Norton recruited new management, skilled engineers, designers, and development riders and installed them in a bespoke, state-of-the-art production facility before commencing production of the new bike.

Thus, this is, in many ways, the Commando that should have been. The air-cooled engine has been given a complete overall. Parts have been replaced and re-designed where necessary. Testing has been extensive on both road and track. Every competent has been scrutinised and improved where necessary, from fuel-tank to crank and cam materials, resulting in the introduction of over 300 new components. At last, Norton should have a Commando to be proud of. We threw a leg over the SP version of the hand-built Brit for a blast around the lanes of the East Midlands.