1971 Norton Hi Rider

Post Sale Update: This Norton sold for $3,749 after 18 bids on eBay.

I’m going way out on a limb here by calling this one of the weirdest looking motorcycles ever produced for sale to the general public. What makes this one especially bad is the fact that there is a venerable Norton Commando hiding under all that. What were they thinking?

I have to be honest, the ‘70s are a little hazy for me. I do remember that I got comp tickets to the first showing of ‘Easy Rider’ in 1969. I also remember some of the ridiculous bikes that graced the streets immediately after the movie run. The Norton Hi Rider certainly fits into that category. Introduced in 1971 the Hi Rider had a peanut sized 2.6 gallon fuel tank, ‘ape hanger’ bars and the strangest seat/sissy bar setup ever.

The good news? The changes were all above the spine of the frame. Everything else was a regular Commando and easily changed to a rideable motorcycle. Norton made a couple of really good choices with the Hi Rider. They didn’t change the steering geometry or the engine mounts from the original Commando which made the Hi Rider a pretty good if cleverly hidden motorcycle.

The 1971 Norton Hi Rider used a 746 CC air cooled four stroke overhead valve parallel twin motor that produced 58 HP with the Isolastic motor mounts that took much of the inherent vibration out of the ride. A 4 speed transmission, 421 LBS dry weight, 12 volt electrics, good suspension and barely adequate drum brakes completed the package.

This particular 1971 Norton Hi Rider (VIN# 200280) is in Ojai, California and listed as a 13,442 mile completely intact original. Seller says he is the second owner with complete paperwork from the widow of the guy that bought it. The fact that it is completely unmolested makes it a rare piece. Most of these seem to have been junked or converted. The bike is currently bid to $3,200 with reserve not met