Norton Commander (motorcycle)

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Norton
Norton-Comander II.jpg
Norton Commander
in Westminster gray
with integrated luggage bags
Norton Commander
Manufacturer Norton-Villiers , from 1972:
Norton-Villiers-Triumph NVT
Production period 1988 to 1992
class motorcycle
design type Sports Tourer
Motor data
Water-cooled twin-disc rotary engine
Displacement  (cm³) 588 (2 × 294)
Power  (kW / PS ) 63/85 at 9000 rpm
Torque  ( N m ) 75.4 at 7000 rpm
Top speed (  km / h) 192
transmission 5-speed
drive Single row drive chain
Brakes Front: Ø 265 mm
double disc brake
2-piston brake calipers
Rear: Ø 265 mm
single disc brake
1-piston brake caliper
Wheelbase  (mm) 1486
Dimensions (L × W × H, mm): 2200 × 880 × 1470
Seat height (cm) 83
Empty weight  (kg) 235
Previous model Norton Interpol II
successor -

Norton Commander is the name of a motorcycle made by the English manufacturer Norton-Villiers Ltd. from Andover (Hampshire) (from 1972: Norton-Villiers-Triumph, NVT). A water-cooled two - disc rotary engine with a chamber volume of 2 × 294 cm³ and a compression ratio of 9: 1 is used for motorization . The output is 63 kW (85 PS) at 9000 rpm.

Norton produced two types of this series with a total of 253 units between 1988 and 1992. The first version, Norton Police Commander , code-named P52, was developed as a single-seat model for police purposes and as a successor to the air-cooled model Interpol II . The second, civil version, code-named P53, is a two-seater and was offered as a touring motorcycle under the name Norton Commander .

Both the P52 and the P53 initially had luggage bags integrated into the full fiberglass fairing. The design for this came from the London design company Seymourpowell, which is known for innovative styling. The appearance was elegant and modern, but a disadvantage for the civilian model, as touring riders prefer removable suitcases. The P53 body was therefore redesigned and equipped with removable plastic cases (black shell with a surrounding aluminum band) from the accessories dealer Krauser . In addition, compared to the early P53 version, which was only available in the Westminster paint scheme (a dark metallic gray), a selection of other body colors was offered.

  • Norton Commander P53 with removable Krauser K2 cases

  • Norton Police Commander P52 with the London Ambulance Service logo

Despite these efforts, the civilian model failed to achieve economic success because too many compromises were necessary to turn the original police machine into a civilian version that could survive on the market. So were z. B. due to the conversion from one to two-seater the footrests too high, which led to a cramped seating position for the driver. In order to keep the costs for the police version under control, various components (front wheel, fork and brakes) of the Yamaha XJ 900 were used, which were, however, too small for the engine power.

Finally, after four years, both models came to a halt in production, because in everyday use another disadvantage of the beautiful body became apparent: the hot air around the engine could only be extracted with difficulty; the machine was therefore prone to overheating damage when idling or when it was driven in heavy traffic! This also meant the end of the Wankel era in motorcycle construction. A bad word said: "The Norton Commander is the best motorcycle in the world - when it is parked." Despite the shortcomings, the Norton Commander has secured a permanent place in motorcycle history.

See also

Web links

Individual evidence