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

Stephen_Spencer said:
Not gonna be ‘the young man’ that buys their premium bikes NDT, for obvious reasons. The marque will likely be important to many that do.

‘The young man’ will respond to other bikes in the lineup (hopefully), if they’re great products at the right price. Less about brand recognition for them.
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SS how long do you think the aged man from the 1950s and 70s is going to live and still ride?

Obvious reasons? You assume that a young person doesn’t have the means to make a purchase of a new vehicle or bike?
Perhaps you need to look around more and see how many young people are driving luxury vehicles. More than you think.

I see young people riding CVO Harley’s which cost over $45k USD.
Same goes for $30-50k Ducatis.

IF you think a young person wants a 400 cc bike from Norton, that’s going to most likely cost more than a TVS brand or other more affordable option, that’s hilarious.

The Norton name doesn’t matter to a young person, nor does its history.
As CG said, the market is already flooded. Too many options.
And not to forget, Norton still doesn’t have a dealer network outside of the UK.

It’s too little, too late. They missed that boat a long time ago.
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Biggest spokesman? No. Enthusiast, realist, optimist? Certainly.

Just never had much time for meaningless negativity - especially in the absence of situational information - particularly in relation to a marque that still has a great deal of meaning to a great number of people.

You know, given this is an ‘enthusiasts’ forum!🤣
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negativity going on here is mostly irrelevant
 
TonyA said:
I think that Norton 961 owners have a different perspective. Until you’ve actually taken the plunge and struggled , it’s difficult to understand .
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doubt that will have much relevance for a fresh line of models with new folks & owners,

old news long in the tooth now, totally diff owners with diff goals/agendas, but now starting fresh, with/from a solid background/foundation including $$

those folks have also shown their abilities with royal enfield
 
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74ok said:
doubt that will have much relevance for a fresh line of models with new folks & owners,

old news long in the tooth now, totally diff owners with diff goals/agendas, but now starting fresh, with/from a solid background/foundation including $$

those folks have also shown their abilities with royal enfield
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That may be true .. But what about all of us modern Norton owners they hope to bring along ? Do we need or want another Indian BSA or Royal Enfield ? I don’t. By the time they get around to having dealers again in North America , maybe they will have a bike I really want and can afford.
Haven’t you ever asked yourself why they haven’t sold many V4’s ? They cost an arm and a leg , nobody is really putting them through their paces so we don’t know if they will even hold up to sport bike abuse . They cost so much nobody wants or are too afraid to ride them !
 
74ok said:
doubt that will have much relevance for a fresh line of models with new folks & owners,

old news long in the tooth now, totally diff owners with diff goals/agendas, but now starting fresh, with/from a solid background/foundation including $$

those folks have also shown their abilities with royal enfield
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Perhaps the tvs 961 owners on facebook would shed some light on different views.

What are your thoughts on buying a brand new bike and models from TVS Norton? They had issues with the 961 that was over a decade old.

Would you buy a new luxury brand that has no history?
No track record?
No proof of reliability or dependability?

Look how many people delayed or refused to by a Donington 961.
And the ones who bought a TVS 961 complained about the recall.
Just saying.
 
NorTriDuc said:
Perhaps the tvs 961 owners on facebook would shed some light on different views.

What are your thoughts on buying a brand new bike and models from TVS Norton? They had issues with the 961 that was over a decade old.

Would you buy a new luxury brand that has no history?
No track record?
No proof of reliability or dependability?

Look how many people delayed or refused to by a Donington 961.
And the ones who bought a TVS 961 complained about the recall.
Just saying.
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Yes you are correct about the new TVS owners complaining also. Just think if they would have had real problems he he. ! I only bought the Norton 961 because I had three vintage commandos some years ago and desired a new one again . If I didn’t have Norton’s before I would not have bought the 961. Now that Triumph have done such a good job with their 1200 twin that it would be silly to buy the Norton now. Hindsight is always 20-20 . In fact , I may not have the Norton now if Triumph had been just a bit sooner with their fine 1200 twin. It came out in 2016 , I bought Dec 2014. So I have bought a new bike last month. A HD Pan Am ST. I traded 2 good bikes to buy this thing so fingers crossed that I have no real trouble. I traded off my Kaw 900 and XR1200 both gave me good service for 10,000 and 16,000 mile respectively . I thought long and hard about the Buell Super Cruise but finally gave way to the HD.
 
I don't think anyone is saying Norton's job will be an easy one.
It will definitely be a tough slog for them to get any significant market share initially.
But it certainly appears that TVS is willing to accept the financial cost of doing so for several years.
Norton have got to deliver a product that is competitive, with comparable reliability, and support to other brands.
A tall order for a new company, but that will exorcise the 961/Garner curse for good.
 
BritTwit said:
I don't think anyone is saying Norton's job will be an easy one.
It will definitely be a tough slog for them to get any significant market share initially.
But it certainly appears that TVS is willing to accept the financial cost of doing so for several years.
Norton have got to deliver a product that is competitive, with comparable reliability, and support to other brands.
A tall order for a new company, but that will exorcise the 961/Garner curse for good.
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Hi BritTwit , I actually had a better connection and experience with the former Donington Norton , then I ever did with TVS. They disowned me ! The way I feel right now is you’re out of your mind if you buy from them thinking everything will be okay.
 
I just
TonyA said:
Hi BritTwit , I actually had a better connection and experience with the former Donington Norton , then I ever did with TVS. They disowned me ! The way I feel right now is you’re out of your mind if you buy from them thinking everything will be okay.
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100% true
 
TonyA said:
Hi BritTwit , I actually had a better connection and experience with the former Donington Norton , then I ever did with TVS. They disowned me ! The way I feel right now is you’re out of your mind if you buy from them thinking everything will be okay.
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Tony,
I understand.
It sucks to own an orphaned bike, and all of us 961 owners are in the same boat.
What you have to understand is that Norton/TVS want to have no association to the Donington/Garner era.
This incarnation of Norton is a wholly new creature, new products, philosophy, and business strategy.
They bought the name, and intend to build a new future.

I always believed that they continued with the "re-engineered" 961, and V4 as a kind of loss leader to keep brand loyal customers interested. These products were intended to be disposed of as soon as new models were introduced, and they really want nothing to do with them. Ridding the line of these models will enable them to break any connection to the Donington days. Having said this I hope Norton will continue to support "their" 961s and V4s.

We have to realize this is a new beginning for Norton, same name, but a totally new company.
They sink or swim with their new products, they don't want to be burdened with the old ones from a prior company.
 
BritTwit said:
Tony,
I understand.
It sucks to own an orphaned bike, and all of us 961 owners are in the same boat.
What you have to understand is that Norton/TVS want to have no association to the Donington/Garner era.
This incarnation of Norton is a wholly new creature, new products, philosophy, and business strategy.
They bought the name, and intend to build a new future.

I always believed that they continued with the "re-engineered" 961, and V4 as a kind of loss leader to keep brand loyal customers interested. These products were intended to be disposed of as soon as new models were introduced, and they really want nothing to do with them. Ridding the line of these models will enable them to break any connection to the Donington days. Having said this I hope Norton will continue to support "their" 961s and V4s.

We have to realize this is a new beginning for Norton, same name, but a totally new company.
They sink or swim with their new products, they don't want to be burdened with the old ones from a prior company.
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And they could have done that right from the start.
They chose to hold onto the 961 and v4 for as long as they did. Honestly, it’s been a big waste of time doing so.

We all know they bought the brand for the name, but it’s not the same in any meaning of the Norton name.
Much like Royal Endfield or Brough Superior.
 
NorTriDuc said:
And they could have done that right from the start.
They chose to hold onto the 961 and v4 for as long as they did. Honestly, it’s been a big waste of time doing so.

We all know they bought the brand for the name, but it’s not the same in any meaning of the Norton name.
Much like Royal Endfield or Brough Superior.
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I love how much fans of the brand hate the brand. It's just a broken record that fills these forums up with incessant mindless drivel.

I mean, I know you guys all own successful motorcycle companies and can do it better than these people.

Meanwhile, I'll ride my bike.
 
Gojuu said:
I love how much fans of the brand hate the brand. It's just a broken record that fills these forums up with incessant mindless drivel.

I mean, I know you guys all own successful motorcycle companies and can do it better than these people.

Meanwhile, I'll ride my bike.
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I have to admit that it’s difficult to let go. I do not hate the brand. For the sake of the other forum members , I will stay silent.
 
Gojuu said:
I love how much fans of the brand hate the brand. It's just a broken record that fills these forums up with incessant mindless drivel.

I mean, I know you guys all own successful motorcycle companies and can do it better than these people.

Meanwhile, I'll ride my bike.
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Hate? Such a strong word.
It’s ok to voice your love for a company when it always goes your way?

Why is it, that you and especially SS are madly in love with a brand that fails to help keep customers enjoying the same brand we all own?

I mean it’s such a wonderful feeling owning a legacy brand and the company who says they’ll ship out your service parts, only to go silent and never hear a word back.

Is your purchase of the brand entitle you to only make comments of the brand or product?

Why does it so upset you when some of us voice our unhappiness?
How about the few of us who get sick of hearing how happy you are with the brand. Don’t like it? Don’t read it.

How much money have you invested with the brand?
I think we’re all entitled to voice our opinions.

Where were you in the early stages of the 961 under Garner? Didn’t hear you being so chipper back then.

Sincerely Voodoo
 
TonyA said:
I have to admit that it’s difficult to let go. I do not hate the brand. For the sake of the other forum members , I will stay silent.
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You don’t have to stay silent. This is a forum. You’re allowed to voice your opinions Tony. You’re a respectable member, and a modern brand owner. If these other members don’t like your opinions, to bad.
 
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folks can talk about whatever they like here, i've no doubt new norton launching a fresh product line, will easily trump, anything going on here. What went down prior, mostly belongs there, end of story
 
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