Inside looks at new Norton

Stuart Garner: "Big volume is not what Norton is about. Slightly under supplying the demand generates exclusivity and helps residual values: both are long term benefits for Norton customers."

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No doubt this will cause a few people here to spin their heads and shoot vomit from their mouths.

I don't know about on here, but folks who have paid in full and received nothing - possibly for years now - sure must now be pondering ????

Rohan said:

I don't know about on here, but folks who have paid in full and received nothing - possibly for years now - sure must now be pondering ????

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Except there's no evidence of anyone still waiting? Do you know anyone personally?

Not personally personally, but have you read the threads on this on the NOC Forum ?

Old 'news', published in 2010.

swooshdave said:

Rohan said:

I don't know about on here, but folks who have paid in full and received nothing - possibly for years now - sure must now be pondering ????

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Except there's no evidence of anyone still waiting? Do you know anyone personally?

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Yes I do!

A friend of mine is still waiting, has put a large deposit and is now considering asking for his money back. Really pissed off...

One friend and his son got thier deposits bike (not quite sure if there was a penalty for cancellation) after OVER two years of waiting.

Also, Rikki Rockett, drummer of Poison, fellow B.I.R. member, I believe has requested his deposit back after well over a year waiting.

Yes

It is very well known that Norton very stupidly made delivery promises they could not possibly keep.

Is this a "lie" as in an intentional distortion of the truth? or I think more likely over enthusiastic marketing.

Regardless, it IS getting sorted out, bikes are being delivered, and deposits refunded if unwilling to wait any more.

Bad mouth em, cut em down, righteous indignation and justified anger!

First World problems!

There is only one 'first world problem' which Norton must address - quality - "fit for purpose with obvious attention to detail'. If they achieve that, most people will forgive their sins.

1up3down said:

... bikes are being delivered...

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Not in the U.S.

Only more promised dates that come and go. (I believe another one is about to pass with the first day of fall)

On the Norton site there are multiple accounts of the Norton Service Department for new bikes (been awhile since there was one of those!) picking up delivered machines, taking them back for service or upgrades then promptly returning them free of charge. This kihd of positive stuff never gets as much interest as the negative does, but if they are able to keep that level of service up it, Good Will is created.
Ive only ever purchased on new motorcycle, that was an Ossa MAR in 1974. In fact we bought two, my Father, who passed away Aug 8 this year, also bought one. We had the dealer install a comp release/engine brake in the second plug holes. My comp release fell apart first week, jammed between piston and head.
I recall it was my responsibility to haul the bike in and out and the owner of the shop refused to fit a new piston, preferring to clean up the old one a bit instead. It had a pretty big ding in it. I always worried the top might have been fractured and might depart at some time just after the brief warranty period ran out.

I dont know if the warranty is any better now with new bikes, but I doubt many are ferrying bikes back and forth free of charge, plus doing routine service such as oil changes for free.
Sounds like they are trying pretty hard.

Glen

Not in the U.S.

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of course not

because perhaps you did not know that Norton just got all states including California approval to sell here in the US?

how could they have delivered bikes here, Grandpa, when they did not have government approval to do so?

1up3down said:

because perhaps you did not know that Norton just got all states including California approval to sell here in the US?

how could they have delivered bikes here, Grandpa, when they did not have government approval to do so?

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The idea that approval has been recieved does not mean that bikes are about to be delivered here. There will certainly be a time lag.

The FACT that they hadn't yet received approval when they made thier most recent announcement (correct me if I'm wrong, but the last publicly announced "anticipated date" was 'summer 2012') was simply another in a long string of promised dates that came and went. They can still make it if they deliver a bike in the U.S. before 9/22...

grandpaul said:

The FACT that they hadn't yet received approval when they made thier most recent announcement (correct me if I'm wrong, but the last publicly announced "anticipated date" was 'summer 2012') was simply another in a long string of promised dates that came and went.

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Anticipated date.

As we already know, the hold-up has been caused by US red tape, so hardly Norton's fault.

grandpaul said:

1up3down said:

... bikes are being delivered...

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Not in the U.S.

Only more promised dates that come and go. (I believe another one is about to pass with the first day of fall)

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actually the new nortons just finally passed california CARB and EPA regulations last month. So my local Norton Dealer here in San Fran will hopefully have some bikes in the showroom soon.

LAB said:

As we already know, the hold-up has been caused by US red tape, so hardly Norton's fault.

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never mind that we cannot blame Norton for this

the important thing is that we try anyway

wanna take another shot at Norton, Grandpa? Feel better when you do?

Unfortunately they hit the market during the worst economic slump in history.

Sure, the guys with the disposable income will snatch up the first offerings keeping their sales numbers initially strong,
But........
After all of the people that can afford buying a new high end toy have one, Then What?
The same fate as Indian maybe?

I'm sure they have a business/marketing plan already in place, let's just hope for their sakes it's a solid one.

It kinda seems that the "retro" vehicle trend has been played out. I've already mentioned the failure of Indian, Harley's sales are in the toilet,
GM and Mopars re-introduction of the "old styled" muscle cars which have become fleet vehicles (rental and cop cars).

Incidentally, Ford is moving away from the trend for the New Mustang. Maybe they know something that everyone else
hasn't yet figured out.

Good luck to the New Norton,
I have no real nostalgic feelings about it though, for me it's just a sticker on a new bikes gas tank.