Norton celebrates 125 years of history with 125 limited edition models.

Not everyone can live to be 125 years old, so Norton announced six limited edition motorcycles, totaling only 125, to celebrate its founding in 1898. The recent times have not been the brightest for the glorious British brand, but an anniversary is an anniversary and should be celebrated, especially if we are in the three digits. Even more so when we look around and realize that, of the brands that challenged Norton in those pioneering years, not many remain. In its long history, the company has been through a lot, but it remains one of the most iconic and recognizable brands, loved and respected precisely for the importance it had in the evolution of motorcycling over so many years. Therefore, it seems more than legitimate to celebrate this milestone with Norton, talking about these special editions of models currently in the British catalog. The limited edition motorcycles for the 125th anniversary will be based on the Norton Commando 961 SP, Norton Commando 961 CR, Norton V4SV, and Norton V4CR, and for each of them, a specific color scheme has been designed that refers to a mythical model from the past. Let’s see them one by one, so we can also learn a little about the history of two wheels. The Energette

The Energette was Norton’s first motorcycle. It was produced from 1902 to 1906 and, like almost all motorcycles of the time, it was a bicycle with a suspended engine. The Commando dedicated to it on its 125th anniversary features its characteristic deep yellow color and brown seat. Perhaps the Energette was not the most famous of Nortons, at least for road racing enthusiasts, despite the historical success of Rem Fowler in the first TT in history in 1907.

The Manx

For road racing enthusiasts, the first true Norton (and perhaps the most fascinating even today) was undoubtedly the Manx. Produced from 1937 to 1962 and winner of 13 races on the Isle of Man, it debuted the legendary Featherbed frame and became one of the most enduring racing motorcycles of all time, to the point that some units were still being sold to private riders worldwide until the 1970s. The motorcycle dedicated to it remains a Commando 961 and features the characteristic silver tank and black frame. The engine is also black, as are the footrests, plates, and Ohlins, while the fairing and chain guard are made of carbon fiber. The matching seat cover has a commemorative emblem for the 125th anniversary with the limited edition logo.

The Transatlantic

In 1972 Norton created another motorcycle that became a racing legend. It was a 750 designed specifically for the Formula 750 category and was ridden by names like Peter Williams, Phil Read, Tony Rutter, Mick Grant, and David Aldana. It won the British 750cc championship, the F750 TT on the Isle of Man, and of course, the Transatlantic Trophy. This led to the famous red, white, and blue racing livery. The Commando 961 LE “Transatlantic” dedicated to it now reinterprets that design and combines it with a black engine, black footrests, and black forks. The matching seat cover also includes a commemorative emblem for the 125th anniversary with the limited edition logo. The 588 Source: https://nortonmotorcycles.comIf you have a refined taste (and some gray hairs), surely you also remember the legendary 588, the racing motorcycle with the Wankel engine! It had a 588 cc Wankel engine with liquid cooling and was a unique machine, designed once again for racing and, in particular, for road racing. From it came the Norton F1, which was essentially its road version and is currently a true rarity. The RC588, the RCW588, and the NRS588, in the late 80s and early 90s, won the British Superbikes and the Isle of Man TT. Unforgettable was Steve Hislop’s at the 1992 TT. The Commando 961 LE “588” is dedicated to them and their characteristic black and gray color scheme. In addition to the paint, we find a black engine, black footrests, black Öhlins suspension, carbon fiber chain guard, carbon fiber fairing, and gold wheels. The matching seat cover also has a commemorative emblem for the 125th anniversary with the limited edition logo.

However, this is not the only model dedicated to the 588, as the same color scheme is also used in the V4SV and V4CR, making it three motorcycles celebrating the legendary “rotary”. The V4SV “588” shares the same racing paint, adding gold anodized OZ Racing wheels, along with the commemorative 125th-anniversary emblem on the top of the seat. The V4CR “588” also shares the same paint and gold anodized OZ Racing wheels, along with the commemorative 125th-anniversary emblem on the top of the seat, but is presented in a streetfighter version.

Prices and availability

And after so much history and glamour, it’s time to talk about cold hard cash. If you’re interested in one of the Commando 961 models, the price tag is £18,999 or, at the current exchange rate, €21,850. However, if you’re enchanted by the V4 engine models, the price goes up by a lot. The V4SV ‘588’ is available for £51,999 (€59,813), while the V4CR ‘588’ requires £49,999 (€57,512). If that’s not enough for you, you can always add a racing exhaust that is not street legal, but allows you to hear the V4 engine roar freely. Orders open on November 22, but be quick to reserve one of the 125 units that will be built, as currently only orders from UK residents are accepted. For more information, you can visit the official Norton website.