Pierre Terblanche to head design team at Norton

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A friend in the press suspected today these sketches- which he rightly says look as if Terrible Blanche spent all of ten minutes on the lot- were paid for by MCN, who are desperate to print the word "Norton" on their front cover as it boosts their circulation every time it appears, and just before Blanche climbed aboard a plane to another job.
Interesting thought.
Joe
 
I suppose someone will want to name that thing with the high pipes in the second photo a "P11" or an "S" model.
 
Well, I certainly don't like the first one, but we'll have to admit that it's probably the way of future motorcycle design. But I like the scrambler and the cafe racers a lot! If we want to see the Norton brand survive with motorcycles (and not just on our t-shirts), they're gonna have to diversify, just like Triumph did. I can't think of any other motorcycle company that has been succesfully brought back from the dead other than Bloor's success. He did it by creating bikes that real riders would want to ride, at a price they could afford, not like Indian or the previous attempt(s) at Norton.
I would be proud to own and ride one of those Nortons, but would still favour the real thing of course. In the end, I don't think it's important what we think, as in those of us who are old Norton fans, because we are only a small percentage of their market, it matters what the general riding public will think and will pay for. Having said that, it's still important that Norton, like Triumph, maintain a strong link to their past. Otherwise what's the point in calling them Nortons?
 
Yes, here here Cowboy, I don't like them to be too retro looking either but it's the "modern way".
They can't change our bikes. Gee I know older guys that reckon the only good Nortons are Singles.
It's an age thing.
AC.
 
Ya, I've got a good mate back in Toronto who rides a WD 16H. He's always giving us Commando owners shit, saying "Everyone knows twins aren't real Nortons".
 
Cowboy Don said:
Ya, I've got a good mate back in Toronto who rides a WD 16H. He's always giving us Commando owners shit, saying "Everyone knows twins aren't real Nortons".
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Cowboy Don,

Once you have experienced the mighty power of a 16H you will be cured of those gutless Norton twins!

Did I mention a 16H was the bike my three kids (two girls, one boy) learned to ride a "proper" motorcycle (with gearchange and clutch) on, when they were about 9-10 years old? First gear at WOT results in average walking pace. Not a speed a kid can seriously hurt itself at.

Joe Seifert
 
They seem to have a trend of a "name" arriving with big fanfare and then quietly departing a few months later.
The comment about correct management and finance would suggest he considers both are to some extent lacking. :(
 
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