961 is back !

Stephen_Spencer · Thursday at 9:26 PM

Voodooo said:
How successful do you think new Norton can be without North America sales?

Clearly the US market is vital if an automotive manufacturer wants to go global and maximise volume - the US being the No1 biggest importer of motorcycles in the world. Initially though, I suspect Norton will concentrate closer to home.

Voodooo · Thursday at 9:33 PM

Stephen_Spencer said:
Clearly the US market is vital if an automotive manufacturer wants to go global and maximise volume - the US being the No1 biggest importer of motorcycles in the world. Initially though, I suspect Norton will concentrate closer to home.

Which sucks lol. I’d buy a atlas if they ever offered it

Gojuu · Thursday at 9:35 PM

Harley Davidson is a fashion brand as much as it is a bike brand. I still find it amazing that TVS/Norton aren't leveraging what is one of the most nostalgic brands there is - merchandising sales alone should be significant.

Want to gauge interest in which bikes to sell? Find out what merchandise sells. it's not hard.

Fast Eddie · Friday at 2:04 AM

BritTwit said:
Yeah, it seems from Dr. Bob's prior comments on the nature of future Norton factory support, it will be similar to the CCM model.

No. They have invested way too much money already for a CCM type model to ever recoup. They will use this model to get started with the exotic / flagship / headline grabbing stuff, but they absolutely will be getting into the higher volume / dealer network / international market space. They simply have to with the sums invested.

ntst8 · Friday at 3:37 AM

Straying onto 961's for a moment, good that they have announced the re-release without feeling the need to issue a don't ride notice on the older ones - hoping like mad that i am not tempting fate here.

Stephen_Spencer · Friday at 3:58 AM

ntst8 said:
Straying onto 961's for a moment, good that they have announced the re-release without feeling the need to issue a don't ride notice on the older ones - hoping like mad that i am not tempting fate here.

Never gonna happen nt - my guess is that Birmingham Norton are well aware of the effort (technical and financial) that has gone into making the 961 reliable (ish) by the current ownership. This is’nt a few poorly designed/manufactured V4’s sold over a relatively short period of time, it’s 2000+ 961’s that have been in circulation for 10 years+ and are spread across the globe. Good luck trying to get those guys to cease and desist!!

Al's#5 · Friday at 5:11 AM

Fast Eddie said:
No. They have invested way too much money already for a CCM type model to ever recoup. They will use this model to get started with the exotic / flagship / headline grabbing stuff, but they absolutely will be getting into the higher volume / dealer network / international market space. They simply have to with the sums invested.

Please, not the way of the Bolton boys. They are onto variation no 18!

Madnorton · Friday at 5:59 AM

Clearly many points here, no automotive manufacturer wants to supply spare parts other than service items - it's very costly to have stock of parts being kept warm and not knowing if they will be needed or not. Suzuki are now introducing a spares inventory for their 'classic' models as they have seen that end of the market supporting the bikes is now very rpofitable, but this is bikes over 20 years old that sold in masses.

The 961 and other classic styled bikes have no problem is selling, it makes sense to produce the 961, but the price charged in the past was too high. This day and age similar bikes are a lot less and made outside the UK and US. A new 961 would need to be considerably cheaper than it was under Garners reign, the competition against the 961 has improved and cheaper.

Reliability - should not be an issue with TVS at the helm, they produced bikes for Suzuiki for over 20 years and now produce the BMW G310 which seems to get the ideal reviews despite being BMW's bargain basement product.

A sensibly priced 961 would sell, no doubt about it.

Stu Bodycote · Friday at 6:00 AM

Stephen_Spencer said:
Never gonna happen nt - my guess is that Birmingham Norton are well aware of the effort (technical and financial) that has gone into making the 961 reliable (ish) by the current ownership. This is’nt a few poorly designed/manufactured V4’s sold over a relatively short period of time, it’s 2000+ 961’s that have been in circulation for 10 years+ and are spread across the globe. Good luck trying to get those guys to cease and desist!!

Also, an homologated model....the V4's were only ever msva'd

mean gene · Friday at 6:24 AM

What has happened to the Nomad? I would have bought one , in fact I contacted the factory about them considered going to pick one up. I guess it's a dead issue!

BritTwit · Friday at 6:50 AM

mean gene said:
What has happened to the Nomad? I would have bought one , in fact I contacted the factory about them considered going to pick one up. I guess it's a dead issue!

Frankly, I'm surprised that Dr. Bob didn't choose to produce the 650 Twins.
They would have been easy to position in the market place, given acceptable reliability, and price.
Actually I thought a new Commando (Next Gen) 750 would have been easy to produce from an enlarged 650 twin.
Oh well, back to the drawing board.

BritTwit · Friday at 7:08 AM

Stephen_Spencer said:
I also don’t think any prospective buyer needs to know who TVS are. Why would they, TVS just hold the wallet - they barely get a mention on the Norton website (beyond the history section).

Ditto.
Best bet is for TVS is to stay in the background, and let the Norton moniker, hopefully attract the interest.
The style cues of the machines, or at least the 961, is classic Norton-esque, not modern Asian scooter styling.

Stephen_Spencer · Friday at 8:45 AM

BritTwit said:
Frankly, I'm surprised that Dr. Bob didn't choose to produce the 650 Twins.
They would have been easy to position in the market place, given acceptable reliability, and price.
Actually I thought a new Commando (Next Gen) 750 would have been easy to produce from an enlarged 650 twin.
Oh well, back to the drawing board.

I think it’s a case of ‘watch this space’ BT. I don’t have a hat, but I will buy one so that I can eat it if Norton don’t market the Atlas Nomad/Ranger! A racing certainty IMO. Already developed, loads of interest, affordable to the masses and attractive to the younger rider - with Norton emblazoned on the tank! A No Brainer methinks! F@#k, I want one!

BritTwit · Friday at 9:08 AM

Stephen_Spencer said:
I think it’s a case of ‘watch this space’ BT. I don’t have a hat, but I will buy one so that I can eat it if Norton don’t market the Atlas Nomad/Ranger! A racing certainty IMO. Already developed, loads of interest, affordable to the masses and attractive to the younger rider - with Norton emblazoned on the tank! A No Brainer methinks! F@#k, I want one!

Yeah, I like the idea of a small, lightweight, nimble bullet. The Superlight was a nice concept, but I'd like to see something like a more compact, lighter twin version of a Triumph Street Triple. A street, road machine, but a weapon on wheels, easy on the ergos, and lots of fun in the twistiest.

Fast Eddie · Friday at 9:19 AM

Stephen_Spencer said:
I think it’s a case of ‘watch this space’ BT. I don’t have a hat, but I will buy one so that I can eat it if Norton don’t market the Atlas Nomad/Ranger! A racing certainty IMO. Already developed, loads of interest, affordable to the masses and attractive to the younger rider - with Norton emblazoned on the tank! A No Brainer methinks! F@#k, I want one!

You're almost right there…

The real benefit we’ll get if they proceed with the 650s is that we might still get the Superlight !!

Fast Eddie · Friday at 9:22 AM

BritTwit said:
Yeah, I like the idea of a small, lightweight, nimble bullet. The Superlight was a nice concept, but I'd like to see something like a more compact, lighter twin version of a Triumph Street Triple. A street, road machine, but a weapon on wheels, easy on the ergos, and lots of fun in the twistiest.

I think that applies to the V4 and the (possible) twins. And it’s why I think they missed the mark with the V4 CR. I think they have more market coverage with a fully faired sports version and ergo friendly naked version of both the V4 SV and the Superlight.

City Garage · Friday at 11:23 AM

Fast Eddie said:
I think that applies to the V4 and the (possible) twins. And it’s why I think they missed the mark with the V4 CR. I think they have more market coverage with a fully faired sports version and ergo friendly naked version of both the V4 SV and the Superlight.

You already have a market saturated with these types. I think the economy and gas prices will play increasingly into TVS directions.

EstuaryBoy · Friday at 11:39 AM

City Garage said:
You already have a market saturated with these types. I think the economy and gas prices will play increasingly into TVS directions.

Yes, anyone chasing volume sales will have to pay heed there....

Seems a shame that with a V4 in the ranks as 'flagship' it appears (relatively) as neither so far ahead of the pack to justify the price, nor cheap enough to divert attention from it's not class leading performance..

Though I know not of what I speak!

Voodooo · Friday at 12:37 PM

City Garage said:
You already have a market saturated with these types. I think the economy and gas prices will play increasingly into TVS directions.

That’s where the EV bike fits in lol

Voodooo · Friday at 12:40 PM

Just think. Nortons Halo bike, the V4, isn’t even competitive against the competition and it cost more too.

I don’t see how many Middle Aged or older guys are lining up to buy this bike. I think they should of done the Atlas bikes and the Commando first then the v4 or superlite.