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

That has to be one of the least inspiring websites for an aspirational product ever! The image of the bike in the configurator is shocking, like a 360p video or worse. They obviously think monochrome is cool and it can be if you’re Lieca but this lot is just plain dull; let’s hope it’s just the site🤔
 
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NorTriDuc said:
Why doesn’t Nortons own website publish the pricing of its bikes and available options?
I can’t find anything showing the cost.

The 20k people talk about would be the cheapest Manx model, what does the base model include?
I’m assuming zero carbon, cast aluminum wheels, cast aluminum bits n pieces?

What is the price of the top model with all available options?

Their website is generic looking and lacking features
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Yeah, It's strange.
Like product is coming out of India, and the website is UK based and hasn't been told the pricing.
The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is up to.
The UK and overseas operations have a ways to go yet until they're fully integrated.
 
Even 10 year olds get to test ride the new Norton without training wheels😂

I can’t take the opinions of wannabe social media influencers, with little to no riding experience seriously.
How the heck does this even happen or allowed?

 
So tell me, how does one become exclusive?
From a new brand that just now released a bike that’s not even available as of yet. How are they picking the buyers who only had the opportunity to buy a TVs 961.
 

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  • What's happening at Norton? Sale to TVS, massive investment, new bikes...
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TVS bought Norton to break into western markets, as no one would buy a 20K plus superbike from an Indian brand no one had heard off. It would be suicide the company for these new V1200 models to be manufactured in India, with the 'Made in England' merely being a CKD operation. No way could TVS/Norton hide that fact for long.

As for a new Commando, IMO that's a certainty. THe CEO stated that Norton will have three 'platforms', we know of two.. the cheaper TVS built twins and the UK built V4s. No brainer the third model range will sit somewhere inbetween.. and will be called the Commando.. Norton's most well known model name.

BTW I do agree that allowing YT 'influencers' on the launch is a bad idea. Most cant ride well and have limited experience of a wide range of bikes... naming no names!
 
Bevelheadmhr said:
TVS bought Norton to break into western markets, as no one would buy a 20K plus superbike from an Indian brand no one had heard off. It would be suicide the company for these new V1200 models to be manufactured in India, with the 'Made in England' merely being a CKD operation. No way could TVS/Norton hide that fact for long.

As for a new Commando, IMO that's a certainty. THe CEO stated that Norton will have three 'platforms', we know of two.. the cheaper TVS built twins and the UK built V4s. No brainer the third model range will sit somewhere inbetween.. and will be called the Commando.. Norton's most well known model name.

BTW I do agree that allowing YT 'influencers' on the launch is a bad idea. Most cant ride well and have limited experience of a wide range of bikes... naming no names!
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You’re saying TVS didn’t manufacture the Nortons?
😂
Who do you think cast and manufactured all the parts on the new Norton bikes?
Norton themselves?
You think it’s manufactured and produced in 🇬🇧?
The parts are made in India and mostly some of it’s assembled in UK.
BUT, It’s most likely just engineered or designed in the UK.
 
Bevelheadmhr said:
TVS bought Norton to break into western markets, as no one would buy a 20K plus superbike from an Indian brand no one had heard off. It would be suicide the company for these new V1200 models to be manufactured in India, with the 'Made in England' merely being a CKD operation. No way could TVS/Norton hide that fact for long.

As for a new Commando, IMO that's a certainty. THe CEO stated that Norton will have three 'platforms', we know of two.. the cheaper TVS built twins and the UK built V4s. No brainer the third model range will sit somewhere inbetween.. and will be called the Commando.. Norton's most well known model name.

BTW I do agree that allowing YT 'influencers' on the launch is a bad idea. Most cant ride well and have limited experience of a wide range of bikes... naming no names!
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There's been a sneaky leak of the third model range, and they're going to be smokers!
 
First test reports starting to emerge; these being three of the key players. First impressions seem very positive - minor exception with MCN.





 
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I Rode Norton’s 206BHP Comeback Superbike… and WOW​



21,076 views May 20, 2026

The Norton Manx R is finally here… and this isn’t just another superbike launch.With 206bhp from a brand new V4 engine, semi-active suspension, premium components and huge expectations resting on its shoulders, the Manx R has the job of proving Norton is truly back.

Over the course of this launch, I rode the bike on the road and pushed it to 170mph on track to find out whether this British superbike is all hype… or genuinely something special.

From the intoxicating V4 soundtrack and ballistic torque delivery, to the surprisingly manageable road manners and phenomenal braking performance, the Manx R feels like a very different take on the modern superbike formula.

But is it enough to take on Ducati, BMW and Aprilia?
 
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The feedback seems extremely positive. Most journos have understood what Norton had stated about where they planned for the Manx to fit in the market and avoided direct comparisons with highly tuned track scalpels. Moreover, that higher torque earlier in the rev range also seems to be very well received - despite a few of the journos having to adjust the way they would normally ride.

Of course they have a lot of work still to do - reputation building included. But, they are introducing a new superbike model into a super competitive market, at a particularly difficult time against all sorts of headwinds. Noting also that despite that market placement, the bike in its virgin iteration will still be compared to models that have been refined to track perfection.

Given that scenario, it looks to me like a (cautiously) successful launch - so far! Now let’s see if that translates into sales. As amusing observation only - if the launch had been a complete flop, would this conversation have been in full flight now?😂
 
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Who’s actually going to buy a Norton when they don’t have the dealer or after sales parts distribution?

Would it be a good conversation piece at the local hang out? Sure, but we already have the 961 for that and have been proven by TVs that they don’t really support the out going 961s.

Not to mention, nearly all of these would be journalists riders are just social media people who are no better than you or I, they’re just lucky enough to get the opportunity to ride something new.
 
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NorTriDuc said:
Who’s actually going to buy a Norton when they don’t have the dealer or after sales parts distribution?

Would is be a good conversation piece at the local hang out? Sure, but we already have the 961 for that and have been proven by TVs that they don’t really support the out going 961s.

Not to mention, nearly all of these would be journalists riders are just social media people who are no better than you or I, they’re just lucky enough to get the opportunity to ride something new.
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All the Utoob Influencers very rarely say anything bad about the bikes - after all they are flown out to a race track - wined and dined .... nice life. Even the ones that i like only ride a brand new bike for a day or two - not reall the same as buying it - owning it and using for a year or two - having to maintain it! The BIG test will be reliabilty - support and long term ownership !
 
Beetleything said:
All the Utoob Influencers very rarely say anything bad about the bikes - after all they are flown out to a race track - wined and dined .... nice life. Even the ones that i like only ride a brand new bike for a day or two - not reall the same as buying it - owning it and using for a year or two - having to maintain it! The BIG test will be reliabilty - support and long term ownership !
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Exactly my point.

The only opinions that count are those who take the gamble and make the purchase with their own money.
Buying something and letting it sit as a show piece and only riding it a few miles a year doesn’t qualify it as a sound purchase.
That doesn’t prove it to be quality or reliable.

Like us 961 owners. We all know how that went.
 
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