“ Motorcycle Live Show “,NEC 2024

Stephen_Spencer · Nov 16, 2024

Disappointing, but as we expected I suppose. They’re doing what they said they’d do, so not a huge surprise. Thought there might have been a few snippets of new info released though - a teaser or two!

They’re clearly not going to release any information until the bike’s are good to go. Understandable but frustrating!

BLIGHTYBRIT/SF · Nov 17, 2024

You can test ride a 961 at the show , did spot at least 3 available in area of test bikes , just one more observation though , the 961 was in base trim , no carbon fibre bits or polished yokes & other sparkly bits , I believe it’s still an option , but not on display from what was there , the reservoir s are questionable to ! Just saying.
Here’s mine when I first got it
Smoke & mirrors

Stephen_Spencer · Nov 17, 2024

Don’t think any of the bling comes with the standard trim, less the carbon front mudguard. The rest is optioned. Don’t know why Norton would’nt show bikes on the display in their best dresses though - unless it relates to displaying base pricing.

Also not sure whether polished yokes and clock surrounds are an option anymore. According to this extract though, you can have pretty much what ya like - as long as your willing to pay for it!

There’re selling 961’s and look like they’ve shifted a few V4SV’s also - not many takers for the V4CR though obviously. Hence the marketting deal - might temp a few but it looks to have missed the mark!

kev · Nov 18, 2024

Was also there on Sat and agree with all the above. What really frustrated me was going onto the Royal Enfield & Triumph stands looking at the multiple variants/colour schemes, etc. They were generating interest as they were something "new" to talk about. I know it's all the same bikes presented differently but it got a lot of people thinking about whats possible. I literally walked up to the stand (and whilst it was impressive visually, premium, etc) I was greeted by a Commando and a V4 in stock trim. I had visions of them doing one up in "race spec" like Stu's or whatever - just something to talk about!

RE: the V4 comment above, here's the DVLA stats for these models....

- CR = 9 sales
- SS = 40 sales
- SV = 85 sales

BritTwit · Nov 18, 2024

Stephen_Spencer said:
Don’t think any of the bling comes with the standard trim, less the carbon front mudguard. The rest is optioned. Don’t know why Norton would’nt show bikes on the display in their best dresses though - unless it relates to displaying base pricing.

Also not sure whether polished yokes and clock surrounds are an option anymore. According to this extract though, you can have pretty much what ya like - as long as your willing to pay for it!

View attachment 117331

There’re selling 961’s and look like they’ve shifted a few V4SV’s also - not many takers for the V4CR though obviously. Hence the marketting deal - might temp a few but it looks to have missed the mark!

They need to retire the V4CR, and reformulate it into the V4HG hooligan. Ditch the "horn" intakes, orange seat, and use a lot of bright colors, or colours as some prefer, and angular plastic bits that the kids like, and bin the clip-ons for low bars.

kev · Nov 18, 2024

Shove the V4 lump in the Commando.....then take my money

Stephen_Spencer · Nov 18, 2024

BritTwit said:
They need to retire the V4CR, and reformulate it into the V4HG hooligan. Ditch the "horn" intakes, orange seat, and use a lot of bright colors, or colours as some prefer, and angular plastic bits that the kids like, and bin the clip-ons for low bars.

No doubt partly an identity crisis concern - a street fighter, naked, cafe racer (con)fusion!

Not everything on the Norton stand was dull though!!

jan nelder · Nov 18, 2024

I have just discovered that previous CEO Robert Hentschel has been replaced by Nevijo Mance as Exective Director of Norton. ( first alerted by a post on the NOC site)

Bevelheadmhr · Nov 19, 2024

kev said:
Was also there on Sat and agree with all the above. What really frustrated me was going onto the Royal Enfield & Triumph stands looking at the multiple variants/colour schemes, etc. They were generating interest as they were something "new" to talk about. I know it's all the same bikes presented differently but it got a lot of people thinking about whats possible. I literally walked up to the stand (and whilst it was impressive visually, premium, etc) I was greeted by a Commando and a V4 in stock trim. I had visions of them doing one up in "race spec" like Stu's or whatever - just something to talk about!

RE: the V4 comment above, here's the DVLA stats for these models....

- CR = 9 sales
- SS = 40 sales
- SV = 85 sales

https://postimages.org/
https://postimages.org/
https://postimages.org/

The CR should've been a more comfortable 'streetfighter' or 'roadster' as any buyers, who actually want to ride them will be in the older demographic, not many twenty year olds buying 40K bikes. BTW what are the latest numbers for the 961?

kev · Nov 19, 2024

Bevelheadmhr said:
The CR should've been a more comfortable 'streetfighter' or 'roadster' as any buyers, who actually want to ride them will be in the older demographic, not many twenty year olds buying 40K bikes. BTW what are the latest numbers for the 961?

Will get them but it's a pain in the butt as there's so many "special" editions

Bevelheadmhr · Nov 19, 2024

kev said:
Will get them but it's a pain in the butt as there's so many "special" editions

What site has the data?

Fast Eddie · Nov 19, 2024

Bevelheadmhr said:
The CR should've been a more comfortable 'streetfighter' or 'roadster' as any buyers, who actually want to ride them will be in the older demographic, not many twenty year olds buying 40K bikes. BTW what are the latest numbers for the 961?

Indeed.

I said it before and will say again:

It shudda had handle bars instead of clip ons… been styled properly (instead of simply removing the fairing)… been better priced… and been called the ‘Combat’ !!

Stephen_Spencer · Nov 19, 2024

Agreed, should have had flat bars. Think they’ve tried to trade on Norton heritage with the Cafe Racer tag, when it appears the Cafe Racer genre may be waning somewhat.

It’s a modern superbike and the path is pretty well trodden. Take the fairing off, add some styling cues and a more upright riding position - call it a street fighter (or similar aggressive name). Maybe Norton chose CR and left the drops on as it falls short in performance to the direct street fighter competition. Who knows.

Think they might have bigger ideas for the ‘Combat’ moniker.

kev · Nov 19, 2024

Bevelheadmhr said:
The CR should've been a more comfortable 'streetfighter' or 'roadster' as any buyers, who actually want to ride them will be in the older demographic, not many twenty year olds buying 40K bikes. BTW what are the latest numbers for the 961?

Stephen_Spencer · Nov 19, 2024

For those us that did’nt make the show, a tour of the stand by the Norton Communications Manager. Interesting chap

! Hope none of us own an F1 Rotary!

Stephen_Spencer · Nov 20, 2024

kev said:
https://postimages.org/

We’ve discussed this site (How Many Left) often. Suspect the figures may be off, depending how its read and how the info is input.

jan nelder · Nov 20, 2024

Stephen_Spencer said:
For those us that did’nt make the show, a tour of the stand by the Norton Communications Manager. Interesting chap! Hope none of us own an F1 Rotary!

that yellow old Commando needs a much better seat!

kev · Nov 20, 2024

Stephen_Spencer said:
We’ve discussed this site (How Many Left) often. Suspect the figures may be off, depending how its read and how the info is input.

Yeh absolutely - 2 main caveats....it's UK only and it's road-registered. Therefore there "may" be sales in there that aren't counted as the owner doesn't register them

DODGY DEN · Nov 20, 2024

Stephen_Spencer said:
For those us that did’nt make the show, a tour of the stand by the Norton Communications Manager. Interesting chap! Hope none of us own an F1 Rotary!

As a Norton communications manager working for Norton nothing like rubbishing the brand what ever disguise it comes in, another own goal.
F1 owner / Classic owner they are great bikes

peebee · Nov 20, 2024

Norton heritage eh, he needs taking in the office and getting his arse kicked up and down the carpet for an hour and made to eat a bag full of cush rubbers soaked in Shell Rotella x40. Any one with a Rotary will be familiar with that oil. FFS , has any body in the TVS management seen this clip and approved it ?, this just shows that all the talk of Norton Heritage by this company is just hot air.

“ Motorcycle Live Show “,NEC 2024

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