That's the problem.
The 2 dealers on the east coast were multi-brand dealers that added Norton to their line.
A Norton only dealer is probably a decade or more away, and that's if Norton can build a solid reputation in 10 years or so.
High cost of warranty work for the 961, and low consumer interest due to bad publicity over the known problems turned the dealers off to the brand here in the US.
And believe me, one of those dealers was crazy about the brand, but ultimately decided the cost of carrying the brand was a financial drain on his business.
Attracting dealers to the brand here in the US and in other markets will depend on Norton supplying reliable machines, and properly compensating dealers for warranty work that they perform.
It's too late for the 961, you can't create a second first impression.
People see the 961 as a flawed product, but I think Norton can change the trend with the the V4 and 650's.