Norton 961 SS Commando vs MV Agusta Brutale 989R (2009)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Norton 961 SS Commandostacks up against the MV Agusta Brutale 989R. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Norton 961 SS Commando | MV Agusta Brutale 989R |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2007 | 2009 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 961 cc | 982 cc |
| Horsepower | 80 hp | 139 hp |
| Torque | 65 Nm | 96 Nm |
| Weight | 188 kg | 185 kg |
| Seat height | 32 mm | — |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 L | 5.0 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 6-speed |
| Front brakes | Single disc. Bremo 4 piston gold line | Double disc. 4-piston caliper |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Bremo 2 piston gold line | Single disc. 4-piston caliper |
| Tires | 120/70-X17 / 180/55-x17 | 120/70-ZR17 / 190/55-ZR17 |
Norton 961 SS Commando vs MV Agusta Brutale 989R — which should you buy?
Picking between the Norton 961 SS Commando and the MV Agusta Brutale 989R usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Norton 961 SS Commando brings 80 hp in a 188 kg package, while the MV Agusta Brutale 989R counters with 139 hp at 185 kg.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: