Norton Commando 961 California vs Ariel 4G Square Four Mark I (2020)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Norton Commando 961 Californiastacks up against the Ariel 4G Square Four Mark I. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Norton Commando 961 California | Ariel 4G Square Four Mark I |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2020 | 1953 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 961 cc | 995 cc |
| Horsepower | 80 hp | 35 hp |
| Torque | 90 Nm | — |
| Weight | 188 kg | 197 kg |
| Seat height | 32 mm | — |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 L | 4.2 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 4-speed |
| Front brakes | Double disc | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Brembo system, 2 piston “Gold Line” calliper. ABS. | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Tires | 120/70-17 / 180/55-17 | 3.25-19 / 4.00-18 |
Norton Commando 961 California vs Ariel 4G Square Four Mark I — which should you buy?
Picking between the Norton Commando 961 California and the Ariel 4G Square Four Mark I 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 Ariel 4G Square Four Mark I counters with 35 hp at 197 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: