Norton Commando 961 California vs Ariel 4G Square Four Mark II (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 II. 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 II |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2020 | 1959 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 961 cc | 995 cc |
| Horsepower | 80 hp | 45 hp |
| Torque | 90 Nm | — |
| Weight | 188 kg | — |
| Seat height | 32 mm | — |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 L | 5.0 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 II — which should you buy?
Picking between the Norton Commando 961 California and the Ariel 4G Square Four Mark II 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 II counters with 45 hp.
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: