NORTON CAFE RACER/SF FOR SALE

Does ANYONE really know the differences between a MK1 n MK2..?... I think the main changes were cosmetic , ie stainless downpipes (ugh), change of (cheaper ? ) top yoke, etc. When reading the MCN test of the MK2, most of the upgrades quoted were either from the Sport- better brakes, USD forks, etc - or from the VERY early bikes - modified gear linkage, etc. All the later MK1 CR/SF's had all the good kit . To put it bluntly, i think the MK2 moniker was just a Norton sales gimmick to help sell the bikes....( another con ? )... there are great n reliable MK1's (like mine :)) and totally unreliable MK2's.....depending on what day they were built and WHO built em ! I had a run out on my bike yesterday... 50 miles... ran great !... there might be faster bikes, but not many would be as exhilarating or as fun to ride as a 961 !
 
961al said:
To put it bluntly, i think the MK2 moniker was just a Norton sales gimmick to help sell the bikes....( another con ? )...
Click to expand...

I think you may be overstating it a bit as "another con," but never the less spot on.

I was told by a salesmen at my dealer (before they cancelled their dealership/affiliation with Norton) that new components were included on later 961's such as investment cast components -vs- the original sand cast parts. Things like caliper holders, heads, cylinders, etc. At some point in the production Norton decided to create the MK2 version since the current production included so many new/redesigned parts.
But there are probably many MK1's produced just before 2016 that have at least a few of the newer components sprinkled upon them.
However, I believe the ABS system was introduced on the MK2.
 
Had’nt thought of that before, in the Mk1/Mk2 debate, ref ABS. Including ABS was a major change and I wouldn’t be surprised if this were the iterational change that led to the decision to go to MK2.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Wasn‘t ABS introduced on the Euro 4 bikes ?
Click to expand...
Agreed , 2016/2017 Mk2 bikes didn’t have ABS it’s was the euro 4 anniversary bikes seen at the Donington Hall launch ( late 2017)
NORTON CAFE RACER/SF FOR SALE
NORTON CAFE RACER/SF FOR SALE
NORTON CAFE RACER/SF FOR SALE
NORTON CAFE RACER/SF FOR SALE
NORTON CAFE RACER/SF FOR SALE
NORTON CAFE RACER/SF FOR SALE
that were first to have them for 2018
 
Hard to believe , But the Norton 961 did manage ABS and Euro 4 so some credit is due . With a little more time after Norton get moved in to the new building things will start moving again .
 
If they can iron out the issues (long overdue), squeeze out a little more go, and have it in showrooms at a saleable price, I’d say they’re onto a winner...
 
Last edited:
Yes Agreed , And you guys will get first crack at it. Then eventually here in the states hopefully !
 
961al said:
Does ANYONE really know the differences between a MK1 n MK2..?... I think the main changes were cosmetic , ie stainless downpipes (ugh), change of (cheaper ? ) top yoke, etc. When reading the MCN test of the MK2, most of the upgrades quoted were either from the Sport- better brakes, USD forks, etc - or from the VERY early bikes - modified gear linkage, etc. All the later MK1 CR/SF's had all the good kit . To put it bluntly, i think the MK2 moniker was just a Norton sales gimmick to help sell the bikes....( another con ? )... there are great n reliable MK1's (like mine :)) and totally unreliable MK2's.....depending on what day they were built and WHO built em ! I had a run out on my bike yesterday... 50 miles... ran great !... there might be faster bikes, but not many would be as exhilarating or as fun to ride as a 961 !
Click to expand...
I don't think you have enough miles on yours to make that determination. I think its more the luck of the draw. It COULD be more enthusiasm, better staff before the pressure was on to fulfill overseas orders. With my 2013 MK1, it was more the wait for the parts than the parts themselves but trouble she has had. Poor service from Norton for overseas bikes and frustration from the dealerships caused the eternal waits for parts. That said, found a good mechanic and have been racking up the fun by the thousands. Thanks to you fellas for sourcing better parts.
 
Last edited:
Fast Eddie said:
If they can iron out the issues (long overdue), squeeze out a little more go, and have it in showrooms at a saleable price, I’d say they’re onto a winner...
Click to expand...
I believe here in the States, it will take a few years of damage control to repair the reputation. There will still be a few hardcore that have to have the Norton, but sustainable sales will be an issue. Could be they will crank out mediocre bikes like the Enfield. Pretty and cheap and by the thousands. I certainly hope that is not the case.
 
quote '' I don't think you have enough miles on yours to make that determination. I think its more the luck of the draw. '' ...... yes, that might well be the case - but as it stands right now, my bike is runnin fabulous and has done since a few minor teething problems were sorted back in the bike's infancy. I've done 260 miles in a day on it and it didn't miss a beat, the pipes haven't gone blue, no oil in the airbox or use any, and i'm still on a perfect original battery... maybe, because i had to wait 2 yrs 10 months from ordering to receiving the bike, Norton managed to use decent parts to build the bike LOL ! And maybe i had the luck of the draw having a decent mechanic to build it ;) all i know is that i've seen plenty of posts about brand new MK2's being unreliable...so really, they are no more reliable than MK1's.
 
When I bought my mk2 I bought into the hype that they were all now sorted etc. And as mine was pretty much trouble free, it seemed to reinforce the notion. But then, gradually, more stories came to light of people with troublesome mk2s. So I now conclude it was more BS than hype!

Personally, I’d still choose a later bike if presented with a choice of two known good ones. But of course, that doesn’t happen!

My advice to anyone in the market is to prioritise buying a known good one. Mileage, colour, extras fitted ALL come second to buying a known good bike.

When these bikes are good they are very good indeed. When they are bad they are a PITA.
 
There are a few electrical/ mechanical things you can sort out as preventative maintenance i.e. relays, oil vent, rocker bushes, clutch rivet inspect/replace, sprocket lock washer, pinned ring gear, cush drive, wirelock everything! The real issues seem to be the obscure running/idling problems which plague some owners. I have been lucky and never had any idle issues on my euro4 2017CR but am frustrated by not being to plug my laptop into the Omex ECU to diagnose any problems and it does concern me for long-term ownership. It is just not reasonable to send the bike back to the factory every time the yellow eyed monster surfaces. Maybe the SCS ECU option (or carb conversion????) is the answer.
 

Similar threads

W
Custom Norton Cafe Racer jacket
Replies
2
Views
353
wilkey113
W
G
961 Anniversary Cafe Racer 27/50 for sale
Replies
5
Views
635
Glenn Harman
G
961al
A LITTLE VIDEO OF MY NORTON CR/SF FOR SALE.....
Replies
4
Views
1,196
961al
961al
D
2014 SF for sale
Replies
8
Views
2,325
bpjthornton
bpjthornton
J
  • Locked
Norton Cafe Racer Deluxe
Replies
5
Views
1,574
Dances with Shrapnel
Dances with Shrapnel
Back
Top