Norton developed Zongshen cyclone re-650

I hope Dr Bob has something quite a bit more attractive planned for his future twins.
The engine is visually uninspiring, worthy of being covered in plastic bodywork to protect the eye.
 
Even if the launch of their new twins is a year off, Norton should be able to provide "concept" drawings of what they are planning.
You know, raise the flag, see who salutes.
Hell, Japanese companies publish their concepts sometimes years before they introduce the actual bike, to test consumer reactions, and maybe tweak the design a bit to suit feedback.
 
Fast Eddie said:
the more bemused I am by their dropping of the Uber cool and widely anticipated Atlas range…
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Try upmarket brand (their idea of themselves) does not want cut price Chinese engines in their range and also with Chinese companies own version available elsewhere.

What would it have cost them to renegotiate the contract and pay for getting sole selling rights back has probably not been asked.
 
BritTwit said:
Even if the launch of their new twins is a year off, Norton should be able to provide "concept" drawings of what they are planning.
You know, raise the flag, see who salutes.
Hell, Japanese companies publish their concepts sometimes years before they introduce the actual bike, to test consumer reactions, and maybe tweak the design a bit to suit feedback.
Click to expand...
Where you been the last 3+ years? You know better than to think that TVS would do such a thing. Come on man.
 
kommando said:
Try upmarket brand (their idea of themselves) does not want cut price Chinese engines in their range and also with Chinese companies own version available elsewhere.

What would it have cost them to renegotiate the contract and pay for getting sole selling rights back has probably not been asked.
Click to expand...
Just think, Norton is a boutique Chinese brand. Gotta love that.
 
Shelby-Right said:
And you would have thought , they could have slapped a couple of cams on the old 961 to bring the power up to 100 -120 hp .
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100HP is possible, Matt Capri was shooting for 100+ for his big bore 1005cc Norton build. However, the 961 would need some radical cams, valves and porting to get to 120hp. Which would drastically reduce rideability, and reliability. Norton will not spend money to do this, it would be financial suicide. It would be like a modern version of the ill fated 70's Combat project. Right now the 961 gives Norton street 'cred with the classic Norton fans so that they can be seen as the true owners of the Norton motor heritage. They will sunset the 961 as soon as their "new" twins are introduced.
 
Voodooo said:
Where you been the last 3+ years? You know better than to think that TVS would do such a thing. Come on man.
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It's time for Dr. Bob and others at TVS/Norton to put their big boy pants on, and start to behave more like the rest of the M/C manufacturing community. The Donington folks put out concepts some time before showing off the actual prototype 650s. Now it's time for Dr. Bob's boys to do the same. Yeah, they can include the EV they are working on too, but we really want to see the new twin concepts!
 
BritTwit said:
It's time for Dr. Bob and others at TVS/Norton to put their big boy pants on, and start to behave more like the rest of the M/C manufacturing community. The Donington folks put out concepts some time before showing off the actual prototype 650s. Now it's time for Dr. Bob's boys to do the same. Yeah, they can include the EV they are working on too, but we really want to see the new twin concepts!
Click to expand...
I agree 100%.
But as I always say, they suck at any news or advertising.
At this point, I’ll never see myself ever buying another new Norton brand, even if they were available here in the USA.

Even if they had the dealer network of Harley or Honda.
The lack of information, the lack of keeping their base intrigued, no excitement, no news, no social media post.
All they were excited to tell everyone about was the money they spent on the state of the art facility. That’s the last time they said anything that was promising.

For me, the fizzle has faded.
 
TonyA said:
I have read that KTM is making the parallel twins 790 , 890 , soon to be 990 in China . CF Moto bikes look like KTM's .
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This is true. The Norton engine looks like a copy sort of BMW Rotax. EIther way I bet it runs well and smooth
 

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