What's happening at Norton? Sale to TVS, massive investment, new bikes...

The majority conversation on the forum for many months now has been about the premium bikes (specifically the V4), produced out of Solihull, being shown first - at EICMA - Norton also hinted at this themselves some months ago.

Followed by the liklihood of smaller bikes manufactured in India. These likely being more affordable options for the mass market, as opposed to the premium market.

Although Norton may well show more than the V4 at EICMA: other V4 variants; a new middleweight and/or a 450 (prototype or other)? That’s anybody’s guess.

The principle reason why they’ve been keeping us guessing - to build expectation for some, but resulting in frustration for others.
 
The reason TVS bought Norton is for the brand name, lets face it there wasn't much else to buy. Few in the west are going to buy a bike from a brand they've never heard of. Sure TVS may sell a few 125s if they're cheap enough, but nothing bigger. They need an A2 compliant bike.. it's where the sales are, and gets new customers into the brand.. to up sell later.

TVS haven't spent £200 million plus on a new factory and new models, just to make a few V4s and a lot of rebadged TVS singles. Norton have stated the factory can currently manufacture 7000 bikes a year. They'll need more than high end V4s to keep the factory busy. Globally £20K plus superbikes are a small market.
 
Bevelheadmhr said:
The reason TVS bought Norton is for the brand name, lets face it there wasn't much else to buy. Few in the west are going to buy a bike from a brand they've never heard of. Sure TVS may sell a few 125s if they're cheap enough, but nothing bigger. They need an A2 compliant bike.. it's where the sales are, and gets new customers into the brand.. to up sell later.

TVS haven't spent £200 million plus on a new factory and new models, just to make a few V4s and a lot of rebadged TVS singles. Norton have stated the factory can currently manufacture 7000 bikes a year. They'll need more than high end V4s to keep the factory busy. Globally £20K plus superbikes are a small market.
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Agreed, they have already stated that there will be other platforms/models that will come out of Solihull - many hopefully, into the future. They’ll likely fall into the prestige category also, although more affordable than current offerings of course.

The smaller capacity bikes however will likely come out of Honsur - think they’ve told us that already right?

Initially a 450 range based on an engine already in service with BMW, but in a Norton frame et al’ - badged Norton not TVS. Unless I’m missing something?

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Bevelheadmhr said:
The reason TVS bought Norton is for the brand name, lets face it there wasn't much else to buy. Few in the west are going to buy a bike from a brand they've never heard of. Sure TVS may sell a few 125s if they're cheap enough, but nothing bigger. They need an A2 compliant bike.. it's where the sales are, and gets new customers into the brand.. to up sell later.

TVS haven't spent £200 million plus on a new factory and new models, just to make a few V4s and a lot of rebadged TVS singles. Norton have stated the factory can currently manufacture 7000 bikes a year. They'll need more than high end V4s to keep the factory busy. Globally £20K plus superbikes are a small market.
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I don’t believe that Norton is going to make a small CC bike.
It makes zero sense to offer a small CC bike, that cost more than what TVS already has just because of the Norton branding when TVS already has that market covered.

I’m also not saying the only bike they’ll offer is a V4, I’ll bet they offer something along the lines as Donington did and lop off 2 cylinders from the V4 and have a 2 cylinder 600ish bike.

Either way, I’ll bet much of the engine components will be made in India.
 
So, will they be developing a dealer network? It's great that they are developing new and it looks affordable bikes but without a dealer network and importers to the US and Canada what good is that?
 
From the ‘horses mouth’ a few months ago in Cycle World. Not exactly definitive but certainly indicative.

Might they show the smaller capacity bike (450 prototype) at EICMA along with the V4? Guess we’ll see shortly. The stand would be a little limited otherwise I guess?

Don’t believe they’ll show existing models as they’ve already stated that production will cease and they’ll want to focus on moving forward. Also don’t think they’d want the V4SV outshining the new V4, likely on looks anyway.

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www.cycleworld.com

Norton Planning Six New Models

The Norton brand was rescued by Indian giant TVS back in 2020. Now the brand plans to expand its range and carry on with a few of the previous models.
www.cycleworld.com www.cycleworld.com
 
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Well, I’m certainly looking forward to seeing it. Would love to be at EICMA this year!

No name floated yet - V4??
 
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"Living with Gravity"
Is that the kind of gravity that sucks you to the ground of the type that means deadly serious & earnest? (no, not Borgnine!)
 

TVS Motor Establishes Global Centre of Excellence with Acquisition of Engines Engineering S.p.A. ​

TVS Motors' Singapore subsidiary will acquire 100% ownership of Engines Engineering S.p.A., an Italian automotive design firm, for €5.05 million. This acquisition establishes TVS Motor's Global Centre of Excellence for Design and Engineering in Bologna, Italy. The deal, expected to close by October 1, 2025, aims to enhance TVS's design and engineering capabilities, accelerate next-generation mobility platform development, and strengthen Norton Motorcycles' high-performance product pipeline. Engines Engineering has shown strong financial performance, with revenues of €11.28 million in 2024.

TVS Motor Establishes Global Centre of Excellence with Acquisition of Engines Engineering S.p.A.

www.constructionworld.in

TVS Sets Up Global Design Hub in Italy, Buys Engines Engg

Firm acquires Bologna-based design company for €5 million.
www.constructionworld.in www.constructionworld.in
This marks the company’s first major acquisition since Sudarshan Venu took charge on 25 August. Venu, credited with transforming TVS into India’s largest two-wheeler EV player within five years of launching the TVS iQube, also spearheaded the 2020 acquisition of Norton Motorcycles. Norton is set to unveil several new models at EICMA 2025 in Milan..
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Strategic Importance​

This acquisition marks the establishment of TVS Motor's Global Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Design and Engineering in Bologna, Italy. The move aligns with the company's vision to become a leading global mobility player and aims to accelerate the creation of next-generation mobility platforms.

Sudarshan Venu, Chairman of TVS Motor Company, commented on the development: "The establishment of the new Italian Global Centre of Excellence marks another milestone in strengthening our capabilities and accelerating our journey to reimagine mobility. By combining the creativity and racing expertise of Engines Engineering with our engineering and design strengths, we are expanding our ability to deliver premium, connected, and electric vehicles that set new global benchmarks."
 
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BritTwit said:
Personally like the Hooligan V4 concept. Simple to do.
Just tear off the fairing, replace clip-ons with low bars, lower the pegs a bit, Viola - a Hooligan.

TVS/Norton are not going racing until they get rid of the red ink on the ledger.
If their machines do sell, it's still going to take years for them to get to profitability.
Norton has a parent company that doesn't want to get buried under a mountain of debt.
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I tried to contact TVS about using the Motus 1650 pushrod 185hp V4, never heard or saw a response. Its ripe for some company to snatch up. Does the market really need another 1200cc V4 bike ?


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jimbo said:
my MSTR eats Harley's and I traded my 1200S Multistrada for mine, Italian horses seem alot smaller then USA's. And remember its all about torque on the street.

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I visited the Motus factory in Birmingham AL when they were open. I liked the bike a lot. How do you get your spare parts and are there any issues to be aware of ?
 
TonyA said:
I visited the Motus factory in Birmingham AL when they were open. I liked the bike a lot. How do you get your spare parts and are there any issues to be aware of ?
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some issues easily taken care of, some not so much, I have a good one. Most cycle parts were sourced from around the world. BST carbon wheels, Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes. I get my oil filter from Napa. example, GM injectors, Toyota alternator, and there is an active service/dealer on the east coast.
 
Too many fish in the pan. These guys are going to end up with management problems eating up their capital, and fail yet again in the USA.

I said that so they can prove me wrong and give the 9 or 10 people in the USA that might actually buy a new Norton something to buy instead of pontificate about. Too harsh? Oops 🤣
 
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