Norton Commando 961 California vs Excelsior 20R (2020)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Norton Commando 961 Californiastacks up against the Excelsior 20R. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Norton Commando 961 California | Excelsior 20R |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2020 | 1925 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 961 cc | 974 cc |
| Horsepower | 80 hp | — |
| Torque | 90 Nm | — |
| Weight | 188 kg | — |
| Seat height | 32 mm | — |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 L | — |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed | — |
| Front brakes | Double disc | — |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Brembo system, 2 piston “Gold Line” calliper. ABS. | — |
| Tires | 120/70-17 / 180/55-17 | — |
Norton Commando 961 California vs Excelsior 20R — which should you buy?
Picking between the Norton Commando 961 California and the Excelsior 20R usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Norton Commando 961 California brings 80 hp in a 188 kg package, while the Excelsior 20R counters with its own power figure.
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:

