Norton Commando 961 vs Bsa Gold Star 650
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Norton Commando 961
Bsa Gold Star 650
Horsepower (hp)
79 hp
45 hp
Torque (Nm)
90 Nm
55 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
195 km/h
180 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
198 kg
222 kg
Type
Classic
Classic
Horsepower
79 hp @ 6,500 rpm
45 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque
90 Nm @ 5,200 rpm
55 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Top Speed
195 km/h
~180 km/h (estimated)
Weight
198 kg (wet/curb weight)
222 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
6.5 L/100km or approximately 15.4 km/L (typical real-world average)
Estimated 4.5–5.5 L/100km (18–22 km/L) — NOTE: Limited real-world data available as of 2023
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Norton Commando 961
7.5/10
"Magnificent when sorted, but budget for inevitable remedial work upfront."
Pros
+Intoxicating twin exhaust note
+Genuinely exclusive hand-built feel
+Strong used value retention
Cons
−Inconsistent factory build quality
−Dealer support patchy nationwide
−Parts sourcing can frustrate
Bsa Gold Star 650
6.5/10
"Beautiful but buy carefully — early examples need thorough pre-purchase inspection."
Pros
+Stunning retro visual presence
+Tractable low-down torque
+Light and easy handling
Cons
−Early ECU fuelling problems
−Patchy parts availability
−Cheap switchgear quality
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
