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

Clive said:
I would be interested to hear what 20-somethings thought of the Norton name and image. One I spoke to over the weekend went 'well it has racing history and is an iconic British brand'. Maybe a sports bike with the name which stands out from the crowd with bar-room kudos might appeal. So I wonder who will be tempted by the Atlas?
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I would be tempted by a base model Manx (high bars) in black. That is if they finally get a dealer network over here. And the machine meets its marks relative to specifications and reliability. Then I wake up and realize that I can’t even get parts for my Norton 961 .
 
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TVS had years to get dealer networks going.
They could have got the ball rolling long ago and made it accessible to purchase parts and bikes. Here we are today, and still nothing.

Mahindra did it with the BSA bikes. Yet TVS can’t seem to figure it out.
 
My guess is Norton (TVS) has a plan (incl timeline) for the roll out of new models and the expansion of dealer networks overseas. Does the fact that this plan fails to meet with our expectations suprise anyone?🙃

I also reckon that the issues relating to the 961 are pretty unique. Not sure there’s any reason to believe they will be mirrored with new model production. Particularly given the resources invested in, and available to, support these models. Not a massive leap of faith IMO, with a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty in yer sky rocket!
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
My guess is Norton (TVS) has a plan (incl timeline) for the roll out of new models and the expansion of dealer networks overseas. Does the fact that this plan fails to meet with our expectations suprise anyone?🙃

I also reckon that the issues relating to the 961 are pretty unique. Not sure there’s any reason to believe they will be mirrored with new model production. Particularly given the resources invested in, and available to, support these models. Not a massive leap of faith IMO, with a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty in yer sky rocket!
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Nothing TVS does seems to be planned.

Are you willing to spend $30k plus on a bike that’s brand new to market?
From a brand and model with no proven history?
From a brand new brand?
From a dealer that doesn’t have experience in said brand?
From a brand that claims it’s British but mainly made in India.
At least we all knew the BSA’s were made in India.

Not me, they failed to prove they cared when they took over and supposedly improved the 961. Sure, they addressed the recall issue, but they also failed with the spare parts supply to many owners of the gen 2 961 bikes.
 
NorTriDuc said:
Nothing TVS does seems to be planned.

Are you willing to spend $30k plus on a bike that’s brand new to market?
From a brand and model with no proven history?
From a brand new brand?
From a dealer that doesn’t have experience in said brand?
From a brand that claims it’s British but mainly made in India.
At least we all knew the BSA’s were made in India.

Not me, they failed to prove they cared when they took over and supposedly improved the 961. Sure, they addressed the recall issue, but they also failed with the spare parts supply to many owners of the gen 2 961 bikes.
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Yes.
 
An old theme in this forum: a motorcycle is a very personal choice and so an argument of whether a bike is 'good' or 'bad' is pointless unless discussing very specific measurements - seat height/weight etc. I bought my 961 despite warnings because I just loved the name and the look and the sound. Even the salesman was keen to make sure that I understood that it was "not a Honda". It would not be a surprise to hear that a brand new engine has had some quality issues but it stirs up memories of 961 owners being unpaid (just the opposite) development/ test riders. I do hold a certain feeling of guilt that I have benefitted from previous owners' issues with the bike.....

But if the new Norton does it for you then I am pleased for you and really hope it works out well.
 
NorTriDuc said:
Nothing TVS does seems to be planned.

Are you willing to spend $30k plus on a bike that’s brand new to market?
From a brand and model with no proven history?
From a brand new brand?
From a dealer that doesn’t have experience in said brand?
From a brand that claims it’s British but mainly made in India.
At least we all knew the BSA’s were made in India.

Not me, they failed to prove they cared when they took over and supposedly improved the 961. Sure, they addressed the recall issue, but they also failed with the spare parts supply to many owners of the gen 2 961 bikes.
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I don’t what to think . Most of it is not pleasant.
 
Best to wait and see if you have concerns. We wont get a shot at it Stateside for a while so reports from the first owners good or bad will have been heard by then.
 
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