New Norton shop in soho london

Fast Eddie said:
Madnorton is referring to the fact that the 961 is not currently Euro 4 compliant, and unless it is so by Jan 1st 2017, it cannot be sold in Europe as a new vehicle.

At least that's what it seems like. Does anyone actually know if this is correct? Or if the 961 is able to pass euro 4 or not?
Click to expand...

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2016 ... ry-200bhp/
Norton are also working to ensure the current Commando range meets new Euro4 regs that come into force next year.
Click to expand...

It wouldn't necessarily stop them continuing to sell outside 'Europe' as far as I can tell, and new bike sales are often sluggish during the winter months, so realistically, I think they've got until about the end of March to do it by which time buyer interest will be shifting to the new V4.
 
L.A.B. said:
Fast Eddie said:
Madnorton is referring to the fact that the 961 is not currently Euro 4 compliant, and unless it is so by Jan 1st 2017, it cannot be sold in Europe as a new vehicle.

At least that's what it seems like. Does anyone actually know if this is correct? Or if the 961 is able to pass euro 4 or not?
Click to expand...

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2016 ... ry-200bhp/
Norton are also working to ensure the current Commando range meets new Euro4 regs that come into force next year.
Click to expand...

It wouldn't necessarily stop them continuing to sell outside 'Europe' as far as I can tell, and new bike sales are often sluggish during the winter months, so realistically, I think they've got until about the end of March to do it by which time buyer interest will be shifting to the new V4.
Click to expand...

I think you're correct in that euro 4 is only required to sell in Europe LAB. But that is a large market, so is not to be discounted.

The only quote of specific relevance in that article is Garner saying "Norton are also working to ensure the current Commando range meets new Euro4 regs that come into force next year" which whilst being encouraging, still leaves the question open as to the current status...
 
Fast Eddie said:
I think you're correct in that euro 4 is only required to sell in Europe LAB. But that is a large market, so is not to be discounted.

The only quote of specific relevance in that article is Garner saying "Norton are also working to ensure the current Commando range meets new Euro4 regs that come into force next year" which whilst being encouraging, still leaves the question open as to the current status...
Click to expand...

No doubt we shall find out in time, but I'm not going to lose any sleep worrying about it until then, as I still don't want a 961. :)
 
Typical NMUK 'that come into force next year' - wrong - they came into force this year in January!! with full compliance by Jan 17. There will be a lot of pre-reg models up for grabs soon I bet.
 
Madnorton said:
There will be a lot of pre-reg models up for grabs soon I bet.
Click to expand...

Sounds good. Except for anti-lock brakes, who would choose a Euro 4 model (that will probably run like an even worse bag of nails) in preference to Euro 3 but, no, I still won't be buying one, and I doubt you will be either, so I don't know why you are making such a big deal out of it, lets just wait and see.
 
L.A.B. said:
Madnorton said:
There will be a lot of pre-reg models up for grabs soon I bet.
Click to expand...

Sounds good. Except for anti-lock brakes, who would choose a Euro 4 model (that will probably run like an even worse bag of nails) in preference to Euro 3 but, no, I still won't be buying one, and I doubt you will be either, so I don't know why you are making such a big deal out of it, lets just wait and see.
Click to expand...

Funnily enough, that's why I bought my R nine T this year instead of waiting for next year. When I learned that there were only a few Euro 3 machines available and that all subsequent ones will be Euro 4, I bought one of the last new Euro 3 models in the UK (or so I was told)!
 
Well, there I was being dragged around the London shops by wife and two daughters when I suddenly thought: "I wonder where the Norton shop is?"

A quick type into the iPhone and bingo, its about 100 yards away!

So I dragged them all along...

It was great for me, a little motorcycle relief in the London madness! Got to sit on a SE and a Cafe racer. Could have taken one out, but it wouldn't have been fun in the hectic London traffic.

As I said, for a Norton nut like me, it was a great respite. But... We didn't spend anything, despite looking and wanting to. And neither did I see anyone else spending whilst we were there. And there were only two other people in the shop whilst we were there (at a time when London shops were heaving with the masses).

I know we were only there a short while and it is a very small 'sample size' but, sadly, my overall impression was that with such low 'footfall' and low customer spend, I cannot imagine the shop being there for very long. I hope I am utterly wrong about this though. Time will tell I guess.
 
I'll be visiting the UK in July so hoping it's still around then. Btw Eddie if my bike is a barometer for where the 961 is at the moment things are looking good, very good.
 
That's good to hear!

I would imagine the shop will still be around in July.

To what do we owe the honour of your visit to England?

Will you be visiting the factory whist here?
 
Well, as the post seems to have come back to the shop, I visited it a few days before Christmas. Very nicely laid out, there were some customers spending their money, which is good to know.
Im sure NMUK have this all sorted. For everyone complaining about the shop they could complain, I guess about Norton's racing efforts.
BUT its something Norton is famous for, it seems the new bike has come as a direct result of development of the race bike. More importantly I would guess that a huge number of people involved in racing are aware that Norton is back.
Norton have had many false starts, I recall seeing the F1 Rotary at Birmingham in the 80's and thinking it the best this since sliced bread. Nothing really came of that except for a fantastic period of racing with the likes of Trevor Nation and Steve Spray.

I think Norton are well and truly back. Personally I doubt we will ever see mass production. The 961 will not be allowed to die next year, I think the factory has already announced they will be ready for the New Year.
I doubt we will see a range of commuter bikes but you never know.
I assume the factory is making money and believe the Mk11's being sold now have all the mods.

The shop is, I guess the face of Norton in the Capital, slightly tucked away but certainly where the money is.

Their products are good, I have 2 T shirts, several years old now, as good as new.

Hopefully Norton will go from strength to strength.
 
Fast Eddie said:
That's good to hear!

I would imagine the shop will still be around in July.

To what do we owe the honour of your visit to England?

Will you be visiting the factory whist here?
Click to expand...

Royal tour in reverse :wink:

Senior management is English, plus catch up with friends from my time working in Europe. Unfortunately the TT organiser's have messed up big time since the Southern Hemisphere school holidays don't coincide. :cry:

Will definitely be visiting the factory if they'll have me... :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top