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

Gojuu said:
Nah, actually.

I'm on here to either learn from or share what I've learnt about my bike.

Aside from a few parts here and there from both Lance and Stuart when I need them, this is my dealership. I've bought parts from TVS, no real hassle. Amassed an array of spares from here and there to keep going.

That's all. Just gets boring wading through the negativity when I'm trying to find a few facts here and there.

I've got no right to stop the armchair experts debating. I'd just like to hear more of the expertise than the debate.

I mean, we can't all be AJD.
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This thread isn’t a technical or discussion about maintaining one’s bike. It’s about what’s going on at TVS Norton.

I find it humorous that it’s ok for some to voice their overly optimistic views and we’re all supposed to just ignore them, but once anyone voices their dislikes or complaints, it’s viewed as negativity.

This is a forum. You’re going to have both.
I own 2 961 Nortons. If I wasn’t a 961 owner and just a stalker on this group, I would agree with your dislike of me being critical of Norton.
 
NorTriDuc said:
This thread isn’t a technical or discussion about maintaining one’s bike. It’s about what’s going on at TVS Norton.

I find it humorous that it’s ok for some to voice their overly optimistic views and we’re all supposed to just ignore them, but once anyone voices their dislikes or complaints, it’s viewed as negativity.

This is a forum. You’re going to have both.
I own 2 961 Nortons. If I wasn’t a 961 owner and just a stalker on this group, I would agree with your dislike of me being critical of Norton.
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My biggest concern lies with what will happen with 961 engine spares . TVS should continue to supply spares for a period of 10 years is this correct ? I often wonder if the Asian manufacturers will start to produce spares and supply them to the aftermarket. This only includes what they actually make ie engine and transmission parts. The body parts and ancillaries we will have to see . But I wish TVS would just get out of the way .
 
savingclassicmotorcycles said:
I think it’s be interesting to add some statistics into the mix.

I know I’ve said it before but I find it interesting that we always look through the lens of our own countries as to regards what motorcycle marques will make,

We’ve gotta remember TVS is an Indian company now like RE,

In the USA annually 500,000 or so motorcycles are sold.

In the UK jan to September 2024 163,000.

One of the top selling bikes in the UK for a while has been the Triumph 400 range,

In Europe 2024 inc the UK 1.155.640.

In India an this is where it’s interesting 2025 is on track for = 18.43 million motorcycles, that’s India alone without the rest of the none Europe / US countries,

36.78 billion USD a year for the Indian Market.
6.94 billion USD a year for the American Market.
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Impressive numbers for sure.
Have to be careful with the numbers though.
I think what we refer to as motorcycles is included, but most of this data represents mopeds, scooters of all types, gas and electric, small e-bikes, etc.
These small vehicles are extremely popular all over Asia.
 
TonyA said:
My biggest concern lies with what will happen with 961 engine spares . TVS should continue to supply spares for a period of 10 years is this correct ? I often wonder if the Asian manufacturers will start to produce spares and supply them to the aftermarket. This only includes what they actually make ie engine and transmission parts. The body parts and ancillaries we will have to see . But I wish TVS would just get out of the way .
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Well, Jinlang owns the rights to the 961, so if they thought that there was a meaningful market for spare parts, they would be filling it.
I thought once that it would be great if TVS/Norton just turned over their 961 parts supplier list to Norvil. Then Norvil could negotiate for parts from the suppliers, and sell the parts to 961 owners.
Obviously, with low demand, the parts would be extremely pricey, but hey, with no other source, you pay the going price.
At least then owners could make their own decision whether the price is worth it.
 
Literally noboby is posting what could even remotely be described as ‘overly optimistic’ content.

When balanced commentary such as having an expectation (and some optimism) about future Norton models is viewed as such, that shows us where the balance of the conversation often lies.

I think it’s a reasonable outlook to choose to wait for what Norton bring to EICMA, view what’s released over the coming period, to recognise that they have a plan and to hope that it succeeds.
 
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NorTriDuc said:
You realize when triumph got into the game, nobody else was doing retro British classics. You realize this correct?
Today’s market is clearly different.

Show or tell me why the 961 doesn’t outsell the competitors.
TVS knows why.
That’s another reason why it’s being discontinued.

Not that the USA market matters to Norton, but nobody in the USA wants a 400 cc bike.
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(from above - Not that the USA market matters to Norton, but nobody in the USA wants a 400 cc bike.)

way more goin on out there, than ur backyard

Triumph sold 29,736 units of its 400cc models in India in 2024, marking the highest growth for the company across all global markets that year. This significant sales figure was largely driven by the introduction of the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X models, contributing to a record-breaking year for Triumph globally.

triumph 400 sales in india
 
74ok said:
(from above - Not that the USA market matters to Norton, but nobody in the USA wants a 400 cc bike.)

way more goin on out there, than ur backyard

Triumph sold 29,736 units of its 400cc models in India in 2024, marking the highest growth for the company across all global markets that year. This significant sales figure was largely driven by the introduction of the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X models, contributing to a record-breaking year for Triumph globally.

triumph 400 sales in india
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Again. I said nobody in the USA wants a 400 cc road bike. Are you interested in a 400cc bike? I don’t fault you if you do.
People are buying the 400cc triumphs because of cost. Not performance, and that’s ok.

Small displacement bikes are very popular in India. All for one reason.
Another thing popular in India is putting a family of 10 on one road bike or hauling logs out of the forest on a motorcycle.

To be honest, I don’t really care what TVS Norton does with its new models, I’ll never buy another Norton.
Not to mention, they’ll never have the dealer network here, No way in hell I’m going through the headache of trying to get spares from a company who doesn’t care about its customer base.
 
NorTriDuc said:
This thread isn’t a technical or discussion about maintaining one’s bike. It’s about what’s going on at TVS Norton.

I find it humorous that it’s ok for some to voice their overly optimistic views and we’re all supposed to just ignore them, but once anyone voices their dislikes or complaints, it’s viewed as negativity.

This is a forum. You’re going to have both.
I own 2 961 Nortons. If I wasn’t a 961 owner and just a stalker on this group, I would agree with your dislike of me being critical of Norton.
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My overly optimistic views?

You’re off your head.

My opinion only.
 
TonyA said:
My biggest concern lies with what will happen with 961 engine spares . TVS should continue to supply spares for a period of 10 years is this correct ? I often wonder if the Asian manufacturers will start to produce spares and supply them to the aftermarket. This only includes what they actually make ie engine and transmission parts. The body parts and ancillaries we will have to see . But I wish TVS would just get out of the way .
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I bet they tried to sell the engine back once they figured out there wasn't a market for it!! The only way to know the worth of any of this would be to know the actual number of 961 sold. I know I'm beating that dead horse again, but if the numbers are under 2500 bikes, the chances for spares are probably zero. And if TVS needs 10years of parts, then there will be no sales to pre-TVS owners.
 
74ok said:
(from above - Not that the USA market matters to Norton, but nobody in the USA wants a 400 cc bike.)

way more goin on out there, than ur backyard

Triumph sold 29,736 units of its 400cc models in India in 2024, marking the highest growth for the company across all global markets that year. This significant sales figure was largely driven by the introduction of the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X models, contributing to a record-breaking year for Triumph globally.

triumph 400 sales in india
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OK, first off, please stay off the internet statistics...they are skewed by the industry, MIC, and now AI.

If you look at the countries with the highest motorcycle usage, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, etc, they all have one thing in common, which is why the smaller CC bikes are so prevalent in those markets. The size of the people. They are smaller and weigh less than many of the other countries where bigger CC motorcycles are sold. The other reasons, of course, are road conditions, affordability, tariffs to import other larger cc bikes, etc Also, in those countries, motorcycles are utilitarian and transportation not secondary like in the USA or UK

So the 125 "commuter" bikes and 97 CC Hero Slendor that sold 6 million or the TVS Raider 125 cc that sold 3.5 million, will dominate those markets along with the electric scooters, mopeds and regular scooters.

Its the same reason why many small CC Honda motorcycles are produced in Brazil to export to the South American markets

Lets face it, in a world of changing regulations and licensing, bigger CC bikes are becoming a luxury. Even getting a motorcycle license for a bigger CC bike is getting harder in many countries.

In regard to "triumph" selling a 400 in India. That's actually not the whole truth. Bajaj made the bike for the Indian market in partnership with Triumph. Not the same thing as Triumph selling into the market. Sure, it added to Triumph's sales figures, but because of the Bajaj name, it sold better. Don't kid yourself into thinking that Triumph did all the heavy lifting down there.
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Literally noboby is posting what could even remotely be described as ‘overly optimistic’ content.

When balanced commentary such as having an expectation (and some optimism) about future Norton models is viewed as such, that shows us where the balance of the conversation often lies.

I think it’s a reasonable outlook to choose to wait for what Norton bring to EICMA, view what’s released over the coming period, to recognise that they have a plan and to hope that it succeeds.
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I'm optimistic there will be no spare parts!! :)

EICMA sounds like something you'd catch from Prossie...
 
What's happening at Norton? Sale to TVS, massive investment, new bikes...


Uhuh.
 
NorTriDuc said:
Did I say “you” had overly optimistic views? No.

I find it humorous that it’s ok for some to voice their overly optimistic views. Nowhere did I say Gojuu.

It sounds like you think you’re the only one on this forum.

I was referring to SS.
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IMG_2957.jpeg

I am referring to #1326! 👍

Also think the focus on spares is a bit overblown. Solihull bikes will no doubt be supported well beyond the end of their warranty periods.

We legacy owners will always be the lowest priority, but we’re certainly better off with 2500 or so new 961’s in circulation.

No doubt spares will continue to trickle through, as they have this far. Self help, alternate parts, this forum and ingenuity should pick up the slack as it’s done thus far.

I just don’t see owners on FB or this forum reporting their bikes are off the road due to a lack of spares. The situation could be better of course, but it could certainly be a whole lot worse for legacy owners. Overly optimistic? I don’t think so.
 
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The main reason for the Triumph 400 and similar bikes from RE, BSA, Honda etc, is they are all A2 compliant. An important point in Europe and beyond. No doubt the new Norton 450 twin will also fit in this category.

As for the 961 being owned by a Chinese company, can anyone show proof of this? I've never seen any.
 
Bevelheadmhr said:
The main reason for the Triumph 400 and similar bikes from RE, BSA, Honda etc, is they are all A2 compliant. An important point in Europe and beyond. No doubt the new Norton 450 twin will also fit in this category.

As for the 961 being owned by a Chinese company, can anyone show proof of this? I've never seen any.
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This is hard to believe , this was only 5 years ago ! For all we know , they are making the 961 parts for TVS Norton now ! That's why I say TVS stay out of the way !

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