As a value proposition, for me, it still stacks up. I paid ticket price back in 2017 and would do so again in 2023, especially as technical issues seem resolved. The cost of new motorcycles has increased across the board if this vid is accurate. Have Norton put prices up because of lower than expected sales, or because the cost of production (et al) has increased?
Maybe cost could also be measured against the natural opposition - and for me that doesn’t really exist. If one of the principle reasons to buy/ride this air-cooled, push rod parallel twin is for the visceral, authentic experience it provides then the purchaser may not get that from a water cooled modern machine dressed as authentic. Also compare component quality and the choice to pay a premium rests with the buyer.
Not disparaging the natural competition, Triumph, at all (I am
delighted with their meteoric success) but they are now ubiquitous and the exclusivity factor the buyer of the Norton will feel may not be there with some other marques - is this worth a premium?
Triumph/ Ducati etc are also masters of the accessory. The Norton‘s aesthetic is pretty spot on, for most, out of the box. The Triumph/ Ducati owner will likely access from the mountain of accesories available to get the aesthetics/ performance they want - how might this affect the price comparison?
I guess it’s also worth looking at whether the Norton will more likely be a keeper, as opposed to just the owners latest bike. Updating bikes on a regular basis makes the premium price of a potential keeper pale into insignificance.
As a performance proposition for many, it will not meet the asking price. But for an enthusiast, who wants a British bike and to buy into this famous marque, outright performance may matter less than exclusivity and authenticity when looking at the RRP.
My thoughts only.
Steve.
PS. I’d have a Thruxton TFC in my garage in a heartbeat, but for the fact that my wife would likely chop my balls off with a rusty spoon!
