To me, what they are building and marketing is a 21st century inspiration of possibly one one the best production machines the world has ever seen... 40 something years ago.
I'll never be in the market for a 961, but I have to give credit, a ton of it, to those who have put their money, and much more, into this, from Dreer to these UK cats. If I was 25 years younger, and 100% richer, it would be worth considering.
Cheers,
Don

I am not laughing it off Jean but everyone else seems to be taking it for what it is, if someone didn't buy this bike because of this I am sure they wouldn't buy it anyway, it doesn't reflect where we as a company in terms of engineering and most people will accept it was a mock up, and we will change the website, I contacted Stuart (Garner) last night and said we should change it, so I do listen, not just laugh it off!

Yes there are cats, just before the silencers, these may have to move slightly to pass Euro 3 and CARB emissions but are fine for the initital UK bikes.

Just for your info too the amount of fresh air between the rear tyre and bodywork is there for a reason, we have to package tyres within an envelope that takes into account them at full fling (ETRTO tyre envelope) and 140mm rear suspension movement (which is needed to give a good handling road bike) so you naturally end up with a big gap, personally I like it but like everything its not to everyones taste!

Cheers

Simon

Some panniers would fill that air gap

Personally I love the bike. The Minister of Finance is a little less enthusiastic.....

skinthespin wrote:I am not laughing it off Jean but everyone else seems to be taking it for what it is, if someone didn't buy this bike because of this I am sure they wouldn't buy it anyway, it doesn't reflect where we as a company in terms of engineering and most people will accept it was a mock up, and we will change the website, I contacted Stuart (Garner) last night and said we should change it, so I do listen, not just laugh it off!

Good, you have to remember we are talking amongst "family" and I know it wasn't a deliberate mistake, but the neighbors (other bike makers or fans) don't see it that way and use every "mistake" to put down a competitor.

I wish you great success in 2010

Jean

Jean,
they would be better off displaying the unit w/o a front fender.
Kinda a work in progress shoot.
What they failed to realize is there are a few Norton enthusiasts who given the time,tooling and $
probably can in this day and age build a better bike than that which left the factory.
Some of you guys have some amazing machining talent.
I'd like to build a cafe bike for me someday. I going to use 2 parts Jean, 1 part Dave 3 parts Jim for the ultimate Norton.
Kinda wish I could make some of the mods shown here by the various riders, no talent in this barn
Marshal

Don,
I'm w/ you spot on. I appreciate their enthusiasm to resurrect the Norton.
My next machine is probably going to be a 70's R90S, or R1000S, just cause I want one.
$4500-6000 range is easier on my wallet than $15-20- grand.
This Norton will be like the Ford GT it is going to appeal to a limited number and wealthy people.
I ride vintage cause vintage is vintage and can't be duplicated ot faked.
That's my story and I'm stickin to it.
Marshal

I saw a couple of Ford GTs recently at the Texas Mile land speed meet; awesome cars, but WAY overpriced. I wish I had a bottomless bank account...

I can't help thinking something like this will be what I ride as I get down to the years when LJK Setright bought his Honda six.
I used to collect XK Jags and TR3s like I do the bikes now. After many breakdowns I decided to buy a modern car that I thought would become a classic and bought a BMW M Roadster.It has been a very good choice.
You do pay more up front but make up for it in relibility.
I'll probably need to sell my current bikes when I retire to New Zealand and a single modern classic bike is one of my considerations. I'd rather it would be a Norton so I wish them well as I'm sure all of you guys do too.

MarshalNorton wrote:I ride vintage cause vintage is vintage and can't be duplicated or faked.
That's my story and I'm stickin to it.
Marshal

I'm on the same wavelength of thinking. Unfortunately these days the term reissue gets thrown about more than it should. Like anything reissued, reproduced or labelled as a tribute, the original will always rise above.

Coco wrote:

MarshalNorton wrote:I ride vintage cause vintage is vintage and can't be duplicated or faked.
That's my story and I'm stickin to it.
Marshal

I'm on the same wavelength of thinking. Unfortunately these days the term reissue gets thrown about more than it should. Like anything reissued, reproduced or labelled as a tribute, the original will always rise above.

Yes, but at some point the original will be more expensive that the "re-imagination". Plus some folks are getting to old to kick the supply of MkIIIs are not getting any greater.

When I look at it realistically that too old to kick stuff is a few years down the road but coming up fast.
The other thing might be if you are in condition to do a lot of maintenence or not. A couple years back I could not bend over well to do that stuff and it made me think a bit.
I'm hoping the new Norton will need about the same work as my Hondas do, or for that matter like most modern bikes demand.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Quality & reliability is the bottom line. The price, I remain silent until I actually see & test drive one. From the line-up, the most appealing model I like is the 961 Sport. Red & Gold. (would like to see the Silver, Red & Black). LIke the chrome rims. I would paint the Norton logo on the timing cover. Black or Red perhaps.

Wish Norton Motorcycles (UK) LTD success.

All better...?

Opps just caught the link posted earlier...

domiracer66 wrote:
All better...?

That'll do...