New Norton dealerships…

Fast Eddie · Mar 8, 2023

Krazy Horse in the U.K. are Norton dealers again !

Maybe the ‘customer experience centre‘ isn‘t working out as hoped ?

I imagine there’ll be more…

cliffa · Mar 8, 2023

I just spotted this on their careers page...

"We are looking to further expand our sales team, this exciting opportunity for a Retail Manager who will be based out of our new Norton boutique within Shoreditch, London. For this key role you will be working with one of the market’s most exciting growing British luxury motorcycle brands."

City Garage · Mar 8, 2023

cliffa said:
I just spotted this on their careers page...

"We are looking to further expand our sales team, this exciting opportunity for a Retail Manager who will be based out of our new Norton boutique within Shoreditch, London. For this key role you will be working with one of the market’s most exciting growing British luxury motorcycle brands."

" most exciting growing British luxury motorcycle brands" huh???

Fast Eddie · Mar 9, 2023

City Garage said:
" most exciting growing British luxury motorcycle brands" huh???

Well it’s not like they’re in 10th place behind all the others is it ?!?

Stephen_Spencer · Mar 9, 2023

City Garage said:
" most exciting growing British luxury motorcycle brands" huh???

“…one of the market’s most exciting growing British motorcycle brands.”

- Exciting: where will they go as a brand; model lineup; future intent; can they successfully re-invent one of the most historically significant motorcycle marques. Pretty exciting to a Norton enthusiast.

- Growing: inevitable if they want to succeed; production; staffing; model range; export; dealer network. Intent has been widely publicised.

- British: Check.

- Luxury: Certainly luxury prices and (limited) product currently.

So, not too outlandish a statement on the surface of it.

baz · Mar 9, 2023

maybe someone should show this to triumph where zero % is made in the UK
Just a thought

Fast Eddie · Mar 9, 2023

baz said:
View attachment 104561maybe someone should show this to triumph where zero % is made in the UK
Just a thought

Triumph are clearly well advised by a team of slick lawyers.

They don’t overtly claim to be British AFAIK.

Instead they simply plaster the Union flag everywhere and giant sized black and white photos from the 50s and 60s and similar emotive media to INSINUATE Britishness (Note to international members: maybe it’s not the same where you are (especially in Canada Glen), I’m only referring to dealerships and exhibitions stands here in the U.K.).

Guess there are no laws against anyone using anyone’s national flag. Or against insinuation.

EstuaryBoy · Mar 9, 2023

Isn't that called 'cultural appropriation' elsewhere??

JOKE!!!!!!

baz · Mar 9, 2023

Fast Eddie said:
Triumph are clearly well advised by a team of slick lawyers.

They don’t overtly claim to be British AFAIK.

Instead they simply plaster the Union flag everywhere and giant sized black and white photos from the 50s and 60s and similar emotive media to INSINUATE Britishness (Note to international members: maybe it’s not the same where you are, I’m only referring to dealerships and exhibitions stands here in the U.K.).

Guess there are no laws against anyone using anyone’s national flag. Or against insinuation.

I only said it with tongue firmly in cheek
I know there are plenty of people that do not agree with me
And this has been well covered and many object to my objection of triumph using the union flag to sell their products

cliffa · Mar 9, 2023

Over here there is a Chinese brand called "Brixton" who, on some of their bikes have Union flag embossed knee pads.

baz · Mar 9, 2023

EstuaryBoy said:
Isn't that called 'cultural appropriation' elsewhere??

JOKE!!!!!!

Funny you should say that
Recently I was told that to go to a fancy dress party dressed as a Mexican was cultural appropriation

CoconutJo75 · Mar 9, 2023

For info Krazy Horse will be one dealer - Thor in Bodmin are currently going through the process of signing up too..... had a few bikes already

CoconutJo75 · Mar 9, 2023

Steve Moore said:
For info Krazy Horse will be one dealer - Thor in Bodmin are currently going through the process of signing up too..... had a few bikes already

Anyone planning on making a purchase? I expect to shortly

Fast Eddie · Mar 9, 2023

Steve Moore said:
Anyone planning on making a purchase? I expect to shortly

I think about it from time to time Steve and may take one for a test ride sometime.

But I don’t know, I’m not usually big on ‘going back’ but I’m certainly interested in hearing the feedback from new owners.

I have quite a full shed, I think a 961 would only make sense if I had a ‘cull’.

Hope your experience is good, do keep us posted.

Clive · Mar 9, 2023

Burning question; will these dealers be prevented by the factory from servicing Donny 961s?

CoconutJo75 · Mar 9, 2023

Clive said:
Burning question; will these dealers be prevented by the factory from servicing Donny 961s?

No from speaking with Colin at Thor I don't believe so

BritTwit · Mar 9, 2023

Clive said:
Burning question; will these dealers be prevented by the factory from servicing Donny 961s?

Not wanting to beat this issue to death but,
What if that service requires replacement with a new component for a Donny 961 that the factory does not certify will work on a Donny unit?

- will the factory force the shop to refuse to do that service?
- will the shop ask the owner to sign a legal waiver of responsibility for a future failure of the component?

CoconutJo75 · Mar 9, 2023

Steve Moore said:
No from speaking with Colin at Thor

BritTwit said:
Not wanting to beat this issue to death but,
What if that service requires replacement with a new component for a Donny 961 that the factory does not certify will work on a Donny unit?

- will the factory force the shop to refuse to do that service?
- will the shop ask the owner to sign a legal waiver of responsibility for a future failure of the component?

Interesting question and definitely, definitely worth asking - I don't think dealers have been provided with any guidance re new parts for the 'older' bike. Suggest you give Colin at Thor or Phil at KH a ring, really good point and I will ask them out of interest as I speak with them quite regularly. It will likely come down to the specific part needed. This was a factor in me moving to the new TVS bikes.... for better or worse!

EDIT - BritTwit just seen you're in USA - I'm afraid I don't have a Scooby for dealers over there. I wonder if any US MC traders are brave enough to step up!

BritTwit · Mar 9, 2023

CoconutJo75 said:
EDIT - BritTwit just seen you're in USA - I'm afraid I don't have a Scooby for dealers over there. I wonder if any US MC traders are brave enough to step up!

I don't know if or when the factory will ever try to establish a dealer here in the US.
The original 961 has such a terrible rep here with dealers especially.
It would take a brave, and daring person for sure to sign up with the new Norton brand.
The original dealership that I purchased my 961 from has changed ownership a couple times since.
I have to ask the new owners how they would feel about such a commitment.

Fast Eddie · Mar 9, 2023

BritTwit said:
Not wanting to beat this issue to death but,
What if that service requires replacement with a new component for a Donny 961 that the factory does not certify will work on a Donny unit?

- will the factory force the shop to refuse to do that service?
- will the shop ask the owner to sign a legal waiver of responsibility for a future failure of the component?

Personally I would avoid such questions. Perhaps the factory are happy to turn something of a blind eye and let things happen under the radar.

Pushing the issue too far may well force an undesirable response.