The 2026 models and logo - What happened?

richard-7 · Aug 17, 2026

I've been away from the forum for a minute (an hour... a few years). Finished the book I've promised for years. Today... just now.... I went onto the Norton website page.... WHAT THE FUK!???? The logo is tasteless. And the bikes have no style. They look like every other bike. I am so sad. I was thinking of seeing what they have to buy.

So these are my views on style. I'm probably wrong and people love them. Are they selling? Where's the tie in from the vintage? What makes these bike stand out? Are they good. Please help.

robs ss · Aug 18, 2026

richard-7 said:
I've been away from the forum for a minute (an hour... a few years). Finished the book I've promised for years. Today... just now.... I went onto the Norton website page.... WHAT THE FUK!???? The logo is tasteless. And the bikes have no style. They look like every other bike. I am so sad. I was thinking of seeing what they have to buy.

So these are my views on style. I'm probably wrong and people love them. Are they selling? Where's the tie in from the vintage? What makes these bike stand out? Are they good. Please help.

No - you're not wrong Richard, actually spot on.
I think the change in logo was the result of a lower primary school competition, so don't be too tough on the kid, other than saying, just quietly, IT SUCKS!
I console myself, after looking at the plastic fantastic ho-hum model line up by looking at the Langen Lightspeed.
Someone appears to still understand what it should be about.

kommando · Aug 18, 2026

An 8" LCD screen with fancy graphics is going to have to do a lot of heavy lifting.

Lippo · Aug 18, 2026

Opinions are definitely mixed about the new models. I’m not interested in sportsbikes at all, but the Manx R seems to be getting decent reviews. The Atlas also gets good reviews and might be OK, I’ll probably go and get a test ride on one at some point, just out of curiosity.
Norton have a kind of logic (in their opinion) about the new logo, but to me it looks like fake Art deco.
Apparently, there are hints of a more retro-style bike under development, no timing announced. Also, I think I read somewhere that they will look to fill the huge capacity gap between 1200 V-four and 585cc parallel twin.
Going by these tech-laden new offerings, any new Norton retro might be a bit like a modern Triumph, looking the part but a bit lacking in character. We’ll have to wait and see. Norton also have a lot of work to do in building a decent dealer network, especially outside of the UK and India/SE Asia.

TonyA · Aug 19, 2026

richard-7 said:
I've been away from the forum for a minute (an hour... a few years). Finished the book I've promised for years. Today... just now.... I went onto the Norton website page.... WHAT THE FUK!???? The logo is tasteless. And the bikes have no style. They look like every other bike. I am so sad. I was thinking of seeing what they have to buy.

So these are my views on style. I'm probably wrong and people love them. Are they selling? Where's the tie in from the vintage? What makes these bike stand out? Are they good. Please help.

If 200hp helps you decide , then you may like the new V4. The logo was changed to suit the new India owner his initials and his desire for a modern take. If you look at the new logo it is a T and V blended together to make the N. I really don’t care about that . I just wish they would support the 961 or sell to a third party to manage it. BUT if I had a spare $25,000 USD I could be talked into a black Manx (high bars).

albional · Friday at 5:07 AM

I think the logo is hugely important. When it gets to be a familiar part of any brand after many years, it becomes a real and valuable asset. If TVS happen to sell the brand on again, their vanity logo intials would not then be appropriate and the logo would surely have to change yet again - to god knows what! My suggestion would have been to just remove the flourish from the logo. That would appear more modern, still look familiar, and imo would be fine when applied to new models.

TonyA · Friday at 6:04 AM

albional said:
I think the logo is hugely important. When it gets to be a familiar part of any brand after many years, it becomes a real and valuable asset. If TVS happen to sell the brand on again, their vanity logo intials would not then be appropriate and the logo would surely have to change yet again - to god knows what! My suggestion would have been to just remove the flourish from the logo. That would appear more modern, still look familiar, and imo would be fine when applied to new models.

They own the logo it can be brought back at any time. And probably will. Unlike Hinckley Triumph which had to leave the original logo behind.

albional · Friday at 8:42 AM

TonyA said:
They own the logo it can be brought back at any time. And probably will. Unlike Hinckley Triumph which had to leave the original logo behind.

Yes but the continuity is lost, and therefore the familiarity is diminished - and unecessarily so. Triumph were canny enough not to leave the logo too far behind, it is still instantly recognisable.

Bevelheadmhr · Friday at 9:11 AM

If or when Norton bring out a retro styled bike.. a new Commando perhaps.. I think the original logo will return. Just as Triumph use their old logo on their retro styled Bonny and Bobber models.

BritTwit · Friday at 5:56 PM

Bevelheadmhr said:
If or when Norton bring out a retro styled bike.. a new Commando perhaps.. I think the original logo will return. Just as Triumph use their old logo on their retro styled Bonny and Bobber models.

I think that would be the smart move by Norton. Restrict the use of the new logo to the just the new stuff.

BritTwit · Friday at 5:57 PM

albional said:
Yes but the continuity is lost, and therefore the familiarity is diminished - and unecessarily so. Triumph were canny enough not to leave the logo too far behind, it is still instantly recognisable.

Just be happy that Norton didn't go full Jaguar insane.

speirmoor · Friday at 6:00 PM

BritTwit said:
I think that would be the smart move by Norton. Restrict the use of the new logo to the just the new stuff.

Thats the plan

albional · Saturday at 5:20 AM

BritTwit said:
I think that would be the smart move by Norton. Restrict the use of the new logo to the just the new stuff.

Yes, but what about brand identity? Literature etc. Two logos? Norton already have the new logo emblazened above their factory entrance.

BritTwit · Saturday at 9:03 AM

albional said:
Yes, but what about brand identity? Literature etc. Two logos? Norton already have the new logo emblazened above their factory entrance.

I think the folks who will buy the modern Norton sportbikes or adventure bikes don't give damn about Norton heritage. They are looking for performance, or value, first, last, and always. The classic Norton logo is appreciated by old timers who remember what Norton used to be, and maybe to some small group of younger riders who remember their dad's, or grandad's Norton. I hope Norton will introduce a classic model, maybe a Commando, and use the classic logo. It may just hit it's target with buyers, who knows. But I think the time for this to succeed has unfortunately passed.

Triumph's timing was perfect with the release of the new Bonneville. Just in time for the return of older riders to motorcycling - riders who remembered what Triumph was prior to the collapse in '83. They appreciated the Bonneville twin and the classic Triumph logo, and could relive their '60's '70's lived experiences on the new Bonnes. That age group is now too old to serve as a viable customer segment for Norton. Norton has to look to younger generations for customers, and these folks, for the most part have no remembrance of what Norton was, or did in the past.

albional · 2026-09-01T05:34:41-0600

BritTwit said:
I think the folks who will buy the modern Norton sportbikes or adventure bikes don't give damn about Norton heritage. They are looking for performance, or value, first, last, and always. The classic Norton logo is appreciated by old timers who remember what Norton used to be, and maybe to some small group of younger riders who remember their dad's, or grandad's Norton. I hope Norton will introduce a classic model, maybe a Commando, and use the classic logo. It may just hit it's target with buyers, who knows. But I think the time for this to succeed has unfortunately passed.

Triumph's timing was perfect with the release of the new Bonneville. Just in time for the return of older riders to motorcycling - riders who remembered what Triumph was prior to the collapse in '83. They appreciated the Bonneville twin and the classic Triumph logo, and could relive their '60's '70's lived experiences on the new Bonnes. That age group is now too old to serve as a viable customer segment for Norton. Norton has to look to younger generations for customers, and these folks, for the most part have no remembrance of what Norton was, or did in the past.

I think younger bikers are more clued up than you may think. They are obviously aware of Honda, Kawasaki, Ducati heritage etc. But if they really have no idea of who or what Norton was and think they are just another Indian brand - then Norton are sunk!

richard-7 · 2026-09-01T20:52:47-0600

I swear I have gotten is that an anti-virus bike twice. ahahahahahha

The 2026 models and logo - What happened?

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