ANOTHER SLATING ON YOU TUBE....

How can reviews be SO different..? Here's someone who understands what the bike is all about-and loves it ! Interesting in that the comments are the total opposite to the ones in the previous video ....
 
TonyA said:
Hello Stephen , I am afraid that I was just "piling on" and I agree with you. All I could think of when I listened to it was "Let me drive that Norton and we will see then if it's just half throttle to keep up" .
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I had similar thoughts Tony - let’s get to some decent twisties and ‘game on’!🤣

I prodded the Vlogger with a comment. His response was fair enough from a presentational perspective (less so content). He‘s just a dude having some fun reviewing bikes with his mates. It’s not monetised, he’s not seeking to grow a business or garner likes or follows. He enjoys the process and giving his opinion.

So I guess that it is ‘watcher beware’ and down to the consumer to spot bullshit and bias from better informed commentary. Let’s face it, we have to do that with just about everything we consume from the internet - including the news! Unfortunately, as Al states above, this stuff sticks.
 
961al said:
How can reviews be SO different..? Here's someone who understands what the bike is all about-and loves it ! Interesting in that the comments are the total opposite to the ones in the previous video ....
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100% Al. The difference between the two reviews is an understanding of what he‘s riding, its limitations and intent; even before he gets onboard. His expectations are grounded in that view. He’s not expecting a bike of that configuration to be comparable to the Thruxton, by way of performance.

Is he biased towards the bike and obligated to the dealer (that he obviously has a close relationship with); yes of course! But I think he shows enough to confirm that he obviously ‘gets it‘. That’s where the Norton struggles - riders/reviewers often just don’t.

The bike is far from faultless and as a value proposition, open for debate - ride it with an understanding of what it is though and you have half a chance of making an informed purchase decision.

Failing that, just buy it based solely on looks, marque and cross your fingers like I did:oops:!!
 
Stu Bodycote said:
I'm going to throw a cat amongst the pigeons though....as I'm fitting a TVS motor into a Dominator SS 🤪 Just pulling his old unit out now. I'll still be stripping the TVS unit down before fitting, as it means I can still have a poke about, and it also means I can replace all the gaskets with Thiel.
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Stu, please try to make a video of it. I know that you have had this plan for some time and it didn´t work out with the last one you had opened. This video would be one of the definitive contributions to the ongoing debate.
 
961al said:
These blokes are really taking the piss... trouble is everyone seems to agree with them... even other you tubers are adding to the negative comments. I tried stickin up for the 961 in the comments but fightin a losing battle i feel.
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Those two.... two wheeled Beavis & Butthead

 
961al said:
Some of us are still livin the dream Stu...lol
ANOTHER SLATING ON YOU TUBE....
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Hello 961al , Is this the Triumph you've had modded the engine ?
 
CR961 said:
Stu, please try to make a video of it. I know that you have had this plan for some time and it didn´t work out with the last one you had opened. This video would be one of the definitive contributions to the ongoing debate.
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Started updating my Motorvated Facebook page today
 
This thread has caused me to rethink my opinion on the 961 Norton. I started riding in 1969 and admired the beautiful British twins from Norton and Triumph. I still have magazines from the day with the Norton girl but sadly I never got closer to a Norton than the magazine.

By the time I had the money they were long out of business and then I heard so many bad things about Stuart Garner that I stayed away.

I watched TVS is a hopeful eye but he seem to over promise and under deliver. When the 961s came back out they seemed never destined to come to the U.S. again.

I've read a few reviews of the 961 including the one from The Missendenflyer and was disappointed with what I was hearing.

Now I think I'll give the bike a try if I get a chance. I know I love the looks and I currently have a bike that has vibes (Royal Enfield).

I just got to get my head around the price and availability.
 
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Flat Cap Cafe Racer said:
This thread has caused me to rethink my opinion on the 961 Norton. I started riding in 1969 and admired the beautiful British twins from Norton and Triumph. I still have magazines from the day with the Norton girl but sadly I never got closer to a Norton than the magazine.

By the time I had the money they were long out of business and then I heard so many bad things about Stuart Garner that I stayed away.

I watched TVS is a hopeful eye but he seem to over promise and under deliver. When the 961s came back out they seemed never destined to come to the U.S. again.

I've read a few reviews of the 961 including the one from The Missendenflyer and was disappointed with what I was hearing.

Now I think I'll give the bike a try if I get a chance. I know I love the looks and I currently have a bike that has vibes (Royal Enfield).

I just got to get my head around the price and availability.
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Welcome aboard FCCR!
Are you considering a used Donington 961, or intending to wait for Norton to bring the new 961s to the US?
 
Flat Cap Cafe Racer said:
This thread has caused me to rethink my opinion on the 961 Norton. I started riding in 1969 and admired the beautiful British twins from Norton and Triumph. I still have magazines from the day with the Norton girl but sadly I never got closer to a Norton than the magazine.

By the time I had the money they were long out of business and then I heard so many bad things about Stuart Garner that I stayed away.

I watched TVS is a hopeful eye but he seem to over promise and under deliver. When the 961s came back out they seemed never destined to come to the U.S. again.

I've read a few reviews of the 961 including the one from The Missendenflyer and was disappointed with what I was hearing.

Now I think I'll give the bike a try if I get a chance. I know I love the looks and I currently have a bike that has vibes (Royal Enfield).

I just got to get my head around the price and availability.
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TMF reviews are usually glowing and gushing exercises in keeping good relations with his sponsors and dealerships. The guy has nearly no mechanical knowledge and is all about style (has several dozen riding jackets hanging in his garage and spent around 14k GBP on having a modern Enfield modded with weird styling bits and paint.

The op's linked video is by a guy without sponsors to keep happy and bike reviews are not his regular gig at all. He is a commercial airline pilot so does have some level of technical proficiency hopefully. I've watched his work from 7 or 8 yrs ago when on his air-cooled triumph thruxton. Always found him entertaining and helpful when replying to comments. He is one of the influences that got me into riding.
So instead of bashing his video style, best to address the very real issues he brings up. These will be much closer to what other potential buyers of his peers will also experience when comparing the bike with other competitors.
 
BritTwit said:
Welcome aboard FCCR!
Are you considering a used Donington 961, or intending to wait for Norton to bring the new 961s to the US?
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I just bought a bike in November, I'll have to sell a bike or two before seriously looking. There is so little I know about what is going on with Nortons new or used. After reading some threads here I need to do some serious homework.
 
TonyA said:
That will be a long wait I am afraid. He should look to the used market instead. " Like sands through the hourglass so are the days of our lives " . Don't wait too long !
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The only Norton I have seen on the road in the last nine years where I live in Idaho belonged to a team member that went to Bonneville with me in 2016. When I get to looking seriously I'll need to get some expert advice.
 
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