961 is back !

BritTwit said:

Dr Bob may not be the one in charge of Publicity/Advertising.
But whoever that person may be, he/she had better get with the program if they want to sell product.

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Who is Dr Bob?

Voodooo said:

Who is Dr Bob?

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Fast Eddie said:

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I know who he is,
I meant who is he? He’s only the CEO of Norton.
It’s up to him to get his slacking advertising department (or lack of) ass in gear and get the word out.

Oh no. Listen to me again.
I’m complaining of how TVS Norton is running their business. I need to crawl back into my hole.

How can a person who’s bounced around every couple of years from job to job accomplish anything?

Well, of the commercial chief knows as much about motorcycles as he does dapper gear, we‘re in good hands… IF…

Fast Eddie said:

Well, of the commercial chief knows as much about motorcycles as he does dapper gear, we‘re in good hands… IF…


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Imagine that.
A man who’s into fashion, and yet Norton doesn’t even offer a single T-shirt.

Perhaps he can use his hand bag expertise and offer saddle bags and luggage.

But wait, after I did more web searching, because I had no idea what most of the places he worked for were. He also worked for M&C Saatchi.

Voodooo said:

Now now. Don’t be to harsh on TVS, some here will be upset and say all you do is complain and contradict yourself and expect too much to soon. These kind of things take time.
You’re beginning to sound like an American, always thinking it’s all about you and you first.

After all, it’s only been nearly 3 years and it’s not like they had another 961 to compare it too. Why brag about something if you’re not proud of the improvements you claim you’ve made?

Can you imagine making 30% improvements and not saying a single word or showing potential buyers or current owners what those improvements are?

It would be amazing if in todays times, we had the capability to make a video presentation that could reach millions of people worldwide showing them of all the improvements and advancements we put effort into. Just to please our future customers. If only that were a thing. Too bad something like the internet or social media doesn’t exist.

I mean, it’s not like we have a multi million dollar state of the art brand new facility here. Please, cut TVS some slack.

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Ah V2D3! And they say you Americans don’t get sarcasm - don’t they know you gave us Chandler Bing!!

I don’t think the majority of potential buyers will be put off by this lack of a technical explanation - we original owners are really pissed cos we rightly wanna know - don’t think those two are necessarily the same group of bikers. My opinion only.

Knowing what I know now I would’nt be put off if I lived in the UK (current market), had a two year warranty in my pocket and noting what will (should) be a closely guarded reputational promise by Birmingham Norton to support new buyers. Imagine if they sold the new 961, it experienced difficulties and full support was not provided - they would be completely spent as a business before they reached the first marathon watering station.

Don’t get me wrong, I think they could and should disclose and as much as I love a bit of sarcasm, I value a bit of balanced debate even more. Are they not disclosing because: they are a shit company; they don’t understand the way an automotive company should be run; Dr Bob has no clue what he’s doing or Gladwell is more invested in fashion?

Or because Norton Birmingham:

1. really needed to distance old from new so (massively) exaggerated the changes - detail would disclose this.
2. don’t believe the bulk of prospective buyers really want or need this information.
3. may open up a can-o-worms with original owner questions about detail and compatibility.
4. don’t want to disclose technical improvements to Chinese competitors.
5. don’t want to spend money/time on professionally produced videos.
6. have many other competing priorities.
7. haven’t made some of the changes they claim.
8. have not recognised the value of technical openness.

My guess is a combination of 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 predominantly.

My question is now that they say they are available, how many have been sold or actually on the road. My belief is the first supposed 40 should be out the door if they had such a line for them

City Garage said:

My question is now that they say they are available, how many have been sold or actually on the road. My belief is the first supposed 40 should be out the door if they had such a line for them

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OK, I'm confused now.
When you say "supposed 40", are we referring to the "promised 40" promised to the 40 customers who ordered Donington 961s from the old factory, and never received them, or are we referring just to 40 NEW 961s?
I'm getting too old to keep track of all this.

Fast Eddie said:

So, basically, you agree.

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Yes FE, but the forum would be very dull and uninspiring if we confined every comment to just one short sentence!

Explaining improvements highlights shortcomings.
Not here to appease a handful of grumpy SG era owners with flawed bikes.
Always forward.

BritTwit said:

OK, I'm confused now.
When you say "supposed 40", are we referring to the "promised 40" promised to the 40 customers who ordered Donington 961s from the old factory, and never received them, or are we referring just to 40 NEW 961s?
I'm getting too old to keep track of all this.

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The rumor was they had 40 ready to go and if those who ordered wanted them, then they would go to those who had deposits.

I think we should all take a break . Has anyone been able to get any more spare parts from Birmingham Norton ? I would like a replacement carbon fiber flyscreen .

Agreed, couldn’t respond if I wanted too - don’t understand half of it!

I’m just about to order a Mk2 seat and seat unit cowl, if they are available. We’ll see how we go.

City Garage said:

The rumor was they had 40 ready to go and if those who ordered wanted them, then they would go to those who had deposits.

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Ah ha!
Got it.

Stephen_Spencer said:

Agreed, couldn’t respond if I wanted too - don’t understand half of it!

I’m just about to order a Mk2 seat and seat unit cowl, if they are available. We’ll see how we go.

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Who are you contacting there ? Are you just using the website and contact us ?

Stephen_Spencer said:

Agreed, couldn’t respond if I wanted too - don’t understand half of it!

I’m just about to order a Mk2 seat and seat unit cowl, if they are available. We’ll see how we go.

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What is it about your seat and cowl you don't like ? I thought you wanted a single seat cowl ?

TonyA said:

What is it about your seat and cowl you don't like ? I thought you wanted a single seat cowl ?

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I'll just contact them through the website Tony - spares assistants come and go.

The Mk 1 seat is very plain; no stitching or Norton logo on the seat cowl pad. I'll see what the quote is and weigh that against getting the Mk 1 seat covered, or for having a new seat made locally. Ya know I likes ma bling!!

I want to obtain (and keep) both single and double seat configurations. Cannot find a single seat unit though - rare as gold hens teeth!

As you know I’m frustrated with the parts department at TVS Norton.
I sent a message on Instagram directly to Norton.
Here’s my post and their response.

Well, so now you can jaw-jaw with John Hogan.
Let us know how you do.

Yep be interesting to see what John has to say look forward to you reporting back, as he was very outspoken about Donny Norton Could understand Norton getting him hopefully he can bring some honesty to the table for those of us that are waiting for it. I guess eventually someone's gonna get one of the 961s and pull a few bits off and then itl be seen what's been improved.

The lack of support and info for the current owners which I could have been a part of when I nearly got a mark ii. Pushed me onto a bmw gs for the modern bike mid this year if anyone from Norton reads this the lack of info and lack or range is actually loosing potential buyers in my opinion currently. Otherwise I'd have a 961 or different Norton sat in the garage n not a beemer next to the current Nortons.