TVS 961... FIRST RIDE IMPRESSIONS.

TonyA said:
I hope that Jinlang starts up spares production then otherwise my bike becomes a garage ornament .
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That's the way I was thinking originally.
I'm a little pessimistic now about the possibilities of future 961 spares from Jinlang.
Jinlang has had the rights to produce 961s for 4 years already, and nothing has materialized yet, nothing.
True, the pandemic came in 2020, but still hard to believe Jinlang would sit on their investment for so long without whisper.
 
peebee said:
One final thing I noticed was that the silencers had started to get a brown tinge in certain places ,whether that will polish out or get worse with mileage only time will tell....
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peebee said:
interestingly, i noticed that weeks ago on ALL the test bikes the journalists were then riding.... i asked Norton as to why they thought this was occuring ( on their facebook page)... but i didn't get an answer... BUT on the later test bikes (for the public) and also the owned bikes, i've not noticed it.
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kommando said:
Most of the £16M paid for Norton by TVS was on the value of the brand, however they seem to be following a strategy that does not value the brand at all. They have completely ignored 'Residuals' and by offering low trade in values they are devaluing their own brand for trivial cost compared to the £16M.

www.linkedin.com

Unlocking Profit Potential: Elevating Resale Value for Lasting Brand Impact

Introduction: The product ownership cycle consists of three critical stages: purchasing new, using the product, and eventually selling it. While much attention is typically given to the first two stages, the importance of the third stageâthe resale phaseâis often underestimated.
www.linkedin.com www.linkedin.com
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We are undoubtedly the red-headed step children that nobody wants; the illegitimate bastards of a failed marriage. What makes it worse is that we look like the other children, but are destined to be forever left on that creaky swing when the janitor locks up the orphanage - adoption unlikely!

Cos we’re a problem right. Although (relatively) small in number we are spread across the globe with our deeply flawed machines; a disparate band of malcontents looking for a home with no (legal) recourse.

We’re not unlike countless other old farts really, trying to keep their ageing steeds on the road with the smell of an oily rag. We shouldn’t be, but we are and maybe that realisation would lead to a reduction in pain for some, from the constant banging of heads off the wall.

Maybe we’re best advised to keep (judiciously) working the spares angle with Norton, support the likes of Ollie and Stu with our patronage, continue to populate the alternate parts list and use this forum to assist one another.

It doesn’t quite reach the smallest increment, on the lower end, of the bottom scale of my ‘Givafuckometer’ that some think this blind optimism🤣, although I will accept blind realism! I believe ingenuity will out - we bikers are famous for it!

I’ve gotta get off that red wine🤪!
 
So now Ill ask the same question as others have asked. Knowing what we all know who is going to buy it. Unless Im mistaken they have sold 20ish? plus the supposed 40 in waiting?

The less than 10k resale and bikes that have spent months on the resale market with no sale show less market value.

I am all for "positive" reviews but even those are through some rose-colored glasses if you read between the lines
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
We don’t know the 250 production limit is final but if it is, just simple maths Voodoo. More bikes (albeit potentially only 250) therefore more spares in circulation.

Norton is obligated to provide spares for the new bikes within the 2 year warranty period and beyond - certainly if they want to maintain any reputation they amass. My guess is they will not hold large quantities of on shelf spares - not good business - so will have contracts/suppliers in place for access.

No reason to believe they won’t honour the stated intent to sell spares to Donington owners, especially if there is a buck to be made. We may have to wait a bit longer (for them to meet production requirements) and they may inflate some prices - then it’s a ‘ya wants it ya pays for it‘ situation - not unlike the seat cowl and rocker examples.

We may find that the re-engineered bikes have less need for some spares they hold than our bikes (likely) which may benefit us. Bottom line there is a supplier/contract currently in place for the vast majority of parts for our bikes, for the foreseeable future. By definition that puts us in a better position than prior to relaunch.

People have been receiving spares, albeit slowly in some cases - if not I guess it’s a matter of picking up the phone and enquiring directly. I’m just about to order a couple of things - I’ll let you know how I get on.
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Hello Stephen , If you phone them can you ask if they are no longer monitoring the contact us parts on the website . ? No I am not down for a spare part . I am just disappointed on how there has been no response from Norton on my parts order. I think it was Keith Parry that emailed me and said they had stock and then not another word. Thanks Tony.
 
TonyA said:
Hello Stephen , If you phone them can you ask if they are no longer monitoring the contact us parts on the website . ? No I am not down for a spare part . I am just disappointed on how there has been no response from Norton on my parts order. I think it was Keith Parry that emailed me and said they had stock and then not another word. Thanks Tony.
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No problem Tony,

I’ll try the direct email approach and leave it a few days - if no reply then I’ll call direct.

Lets see where the land lies then.
 
City Garage said:
So now Ill ask the same question as others have asked. Knowing what we all know who is going to buy it. Unless Im mistaken they have sold 20ish? plus the supposed 40 in waiting?

The less than 10k resale and bikes that have spent months on the resale market with no sale show less market value.

I am all for "positive" reviews but even those are through some rose-colored glasses if you read between the lines
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If one of these "less than 10k resale bikes" is anywhere near me; I'll buy it. Doubly so for a dominator.
 
It´s interesting how in the last few days the tone and outlook in the few threads on this topic has changed on this forum. There seems to be a collective realisation of bad things going on which is supported by evidence on part of the company which is difficult to overlook.
The thing that makes it tangible is the personal experience every one of us has by now made in our personal or business life along the same lines.
- when you are handing over money and still they are not taking it
- when they don´t return your calls
- when they don´t have an answer to a simple question
- when there is large fluctuation
- obviously unmotivated personnel

Apply Occam´s razor.
The outcome is disappointing, and actually fairly shocking, considering.
That´s how I read it. And as an owner, I would love to trick myself into not having to know all this, either.
 
CR961 said:
It´s interesting how in the last few days the tone and outlook in the few threads on this topic has changed on this forum. There seems to be a collective realisation of bad things going on which is supported by evidence on part of the company which is difficult to overlook.
The thing that makes it tangible is the personal experience every one of us has by now made in our personal or business life along the same lines.
- when you are handing over money and still they are not taking it
- when they don´t return your calls
- when they don´t have an answer to a simple question
- when there is large fluctuation
- obviously unmotivated personnel

Apply Occam´s razor.
The outcome is disappointing, and actually fairly shocking, considering.
That´s how I read it. And as an owner, I would love to trick myself into not having to know all this, either.
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Which country are you in CR961?
 
TonyA said:
Hello Stephen , If you phone them can you ask if they are no longer monitoring the contact us parts on the website . ? No I am not down for a spare part . I am just disappointed on how there has been no response from Norton on my parts order. I think it was Keith Parry that emailed me and said they had stock and then not another word. Thanks Tony.
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That’s the norm with TVS Norton.
Been there, done that. It’s frustrating and disappointing. Good luck Tony
 
The simple answer is usually the right one is so true.

It's worse when you have customers that paid over 25k to get the #1 of 50 plus other SE's only to find out the value is under 10k even after spending over 5k in improvements and repairs.

I think that hearing only 250 are being made caused everyone to feel deflated. That should eliminate the overseas market

The parts dept not returning emails is, even more, deflating for us.

No one arguing the numbers sold or trying to prove more are sold.


Ive said it before, this bike will go the same way the Bimota Mantra, except they produced more Mantras than 961
 
Don’t have time today, but we need to be mindful not to leap to the conclusions that CR961 appears to be making @#48. Especially as he’s making his observations from outside of the UK. Does Occam's apply here - in that context, with that level of information?

Any shortfall in service/communication (potentially temporary) would almost certainly be exacerbated if enquiries are being made from outside of their (current) target market.

Your numbers CG?

Let’s maintain the ‘discussion’ status of this thread😁!
 
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I don’t care how many more or less 961 are being made. The fact that they won’t return calls or emails from the parts department says it all for me.
Yes I know Stephen, I’m negative. But you put yourself in my shoes for a moment and feel the frustration of trying for 3 years almost.

Its even worse when they say they have the requested parts and give you prices and when you accept those prices, all you get in return are crickets.

Honestly, I’m ok with TVS not selling Nortons in the USA. If they did, I’m afraid I’d make the same mistake for the 3rd time. And that’s not a charm.
 
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961al said:
My new TVS 961 arrived at the week end, and today the weather was good enough to take it for its first spin. After having a test ride on one a couple of months back -which left me very impressed- i was nervously excited wondering if all would be as good. Please remember that i had owned a donington 961 for 8 years... and i DO realise this IS the first ride on my new bike ... Started first time, just as easy as any other bike. Warming up, the engine was VERY quiet-no evidence of the famous clatter, or of the 'whine' the test bike had. Into first gear with only a slight clunk and off we go with a beautifully smooth clutch and throttle. Through the gears and every one ultra smooth... perfect fuelling ... and the bike is still relatively cold... Through the 30 limit and the bike runs beautiful ... no snatchy throttle.. no problems at all. We are now out on open roads... i can rev it to 3 n half which is 60 in top gear...engine feels great !.. very little vibration, no mirror blurr... just a fabulous rumble and the exhaust sounds brilliant ! Very much like an air cooled ducati monster with termi's. We approach a set of lights... down the gears, no crunching, and pull to a stop... no surging and the bike idles steadily at 1200 RPM. Setting off and there's no clutch screech and again it pulls smoothly through all the gears. Round a few corners and the bike handles perfectly for me, suspension smoothing out potholes...obviously only going up to 60...but still giving great feedback. For the 45 mile ride, the bike ran/felt 100% start to finish... nothing stopped working or dropped off... YES I KNOW its only the first 45 miles, but this has given me total confidence in the bike- which i never had with my previous 961... and with a growing dealer network and 2 year warranty. Just to say, this is MY personal impressions of the 2 TVS 961's i have ridden-both fabulous- so i am not taking sides with anyone (LOL) Hope this helps anyone who has interest in a new 961... Regards, AL.
TVS 961... FIRST RIDE IMPRESSIONS.
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Interested in your first experience and comparison with the 'old' 961, has any one else good/bad experience of the TVS 961's ?
 
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