Why Norton should definitely continue to build the 961

Stephen_Spencer said:
On the surface - a great PR image; a line of very sexy, shiney new Norton motorcycles displayed on an immaculate, modern (read efficient, capable and ready) production facility. Norton in action.

For those of us who have looked a little closer:

- We know that we have nothing to sell you yet but look, we are now building bikes and if you are a little patient we will shortly be producing the V4SV/V4CR and the 961 (if this Norton article is to be believed). Keep the faith, we are moving on to bigger and better things.

- And oh, by the way, we’ve done the right thing by Norton owners past by honouring orders placed with the previous company. We did’nt have to do this but we get brand loyalty and the heritage angle.

Any and all of the above.

Interesting statement about the ‘imminent launch of the re-engineered V4SV and 961 Commando’. Is this our answer on continued production of the 961 beyond the legacy bikes?
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But
TVS used left over Garner parts to make those model “look at me but don’t sell me bikes”.

How many people actually got the bikes they ordered under Garner and made by TVS?

Why did TVS supposedly find it ok to provide those owners with bikes, with parts made by Garners left over stock pile, yet us 961 owners can’t get a single item to keep ours going?

How is TVS producing a 961 when they don’t own the rights to the 961 motor?
TVS / Norton website doesn’t even show the 961 “Classic as a bike model.

They only show the V4CR and V4SV.

Why can’t TVS provide more current information and progress instead of the same old “old news”.
You may be ok with hearing the “millions of dollars we spent and our new state of the art facility “
But I’m getting bored with it all.

I find it hard to believe that while all the world was in a Covid lock down, TVS spent millions of dollars and did nothing.

Something must of been done. They had that start of the art factory built, they assembled some bikes, their team of designers and engineers must of done something.
They have no news to provide?

What is their plan?
Why so quiet?
Why not keep the general motorcycle community in the know? Instead of in the dark.
Give us something to look forward to and provide us with information.
Why not start with a clothing and merchandise line? To produce income and advertising?

Sorry, but I’m getting bored waiting.
 
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Stephen, that picture of a line of of 961 classics must be what, a year old now?!

And those bikes have STILL not been sold!!

And Norton have still not said convulsively if / when they will sell them, or produce more, or produce spares.

I like a positive attitude, and I admire yours, but putting a positive spin on a picture that’s a year old, and shows bikes that still haven’t / can’t be sold takes some doing in my book mate !

As said previously, it’s not news, and it’s certainly not new news…
 
Voodooo said:
But
TVS used left over Garner parts to make those model “look at me but don’t sell me bikes”.

How many people actually got the bikes they ordered under Garner and made by TVS?

Why did TVS supposedly find it ok to provide those owners with bikes, with parts made by Garners left over stock pile, yet us 961 owners can’t get a single item to keep ours going?

How is TVS producing a 961 when they don’t own the rights to the 961 motor?
TVS / Norton website doesn’t even show the 961 “Classic as a bike model.

They only show the V4CR and V4SV.

Why can’t TVS provide more current information and progress instead of the same old “old news”.
You may be ok with hearing the “millions of dollars we spent and our new state of the art facility “
But I’m getting bored with it all.

I find it hard to believe that while all the world was in a Covid lock down, TVS spent millions of dollars and did nothing.

Something must of been done. They had that start of the art factory built, they assembled some bikes, their team of designers and engineers must of done something.
They have no news to provide?

What is their plan?
Why so quiet?
Why not keep the general motorcycle community in the know? Instead of in the dark.
Give us something to look forward to and provide us with information.
Why not start with a clothing and merchandise line? To produce income and advertising?

Sorry, but I’m getting bored waiting.
Click to expand...
Actually, to the best of our knowledge, none of those 961 Classics have been sold…

Even the one that was a raffle prize was allegedly whisked away back to the factory after being ‘won’…
 
Fast Eddie said:
Actually, to the best of our knowledge, none of those 961 Classics have been sold…

Even the one that was a raffle prize was allegedly whisked away back to the factory after being ‘won’…
Click to expand...
Going back to the thread title, while out riding mine over the Moors yesterday a tricky situation arose ahead and, remembering my defensive driving training, I saw a safe route out, clear road ahead, dropped a gear, hit the throttle and she flew! Pleasantly surprised at her turn of speed and the day saved. Incidentally, whilst stopped at a village later a passer buy commented, nice to see a real bike, made my day.
 
This has rather turned into a ‘frustrated at the lack of deliverables from TVS’ thread. I have had some dealings with New New Norton recently and there seems to a lot going on - V4 chassis and swing arms on racks, engines being assembled, bikes on the dyno and rooms full of colleagues on computers but like the proverbial swan there seems to be a lot going on below the surface but not much apparent progress. Ok so the ‘real’ Norton owners get on with keeping their ‘real’ Norton’s going with a good supply of spares while us ‘Johny-come-latelys’ have a grump about the lack of spares but in the TVS Norton roadmap we are still customers of the old regime. New New Norton gets on with making sure they have a reliable product/ products while the rest of the world trundles by aware of the brand but unconcerned about progress then suddenly there will be real bikes to buy and press articles etc.. Fortunately we have this forum, Stu and Ollie to help and our stunning bikes to enjoy as Al’s#5 above.

My bike was wintering at the factory for some 7 months and I am loving every minute of having it back. I had a gorgeous ride over the Malverns the other day then yesterday our wet room joined forces with the kitchen below so a day of mopping and drying. At the end of a horrible day I jumped on the bike and threw it around some country lanes a bit faster than I normally would and it great. Yes a Panigale v4 would have been easier and faster but way less fun. And to return to Nigel’s thread that’s why a bike like this should be in TVS’s showroom lineup.
 
Yes TVS are taking their time (to say the very least). No, they haven’t communicated anywhere near enough given the marques avid following. Certainly further information about future intend and in particular the future of the 961 (and spares) would be highly desirable - understatement of the year!

How we choose to fill our time waiting for activity at Norton is a personal choice. I choose to ride my bike, more sparingly I admit, and not to engage in too much speculation however educated and informed that speculation may be - I see little value in it; can’t do anything directly about the outcome.

I suspect TVS will follow their own plan and open the gates when they are ready.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Actually, to the best of our knowledge, none of those 961 Classics have been sold…

Even the one that was a raffle prize was allegedly whisked away back to the factory after being ‘won’…
Click to expand...
Exactly my point
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
I suspect TVS will follow their own plan and open the gates when they are ready.
Click to expand...
I guess waiting for TVS-Norton to get their act together, and provide real product, is like waiting for Godot.
How long will we have to wait? Will it ever really happen?

If it's gonna take much longer, then the factory should think about right now merchandising the brand for its typical customer demographic, and introduce some products to help keep them interested in the brand:
1. Norton Commando Orthopedic shoes
2. Norton hearing aids
2. Norton blood pressure medicine
3. Norton cholesterol medicine
4. Norton high performance Depends diapers
5. Norton Lightweight titanium knee replacements
etc.....
;)
 
BritTwit said:
1. Norton Commando Orthopedic shoes
2. Norton hearing aids
2. Norton blood pressure medicine
3. Norton cholesterol medicine
4. Norton high performance Depends diapers
5. Norton Lightweight titanium knee replacements
Click to expand...
You missed the Prams !!!

Why Norton should definitely continue to build the 961


Admittedly except for FE then the target customers are a bit old for producing the intended passenger.
 
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BritTwit said:
I guess waiting for TVS-Norton to get their act together, and provide real product, is like waiting for Godot.
How long will we have to wait? Will it ever really happen?

If it's gonna take much longer, then the factory should think about right now merchandising the brand for its typical customer demographic, and introduce some products to help keep them interested in the brand:
1. Norton Commando Orthopedic shoes
2. Norton hearing aids
2. Norton blood pressure medicine
3. Norton cholesterol medicine
4. Norton high performance Depends diapers
5. Norton Lightweight titanium knee replacements
etc.....
;)
Click to expand...
Ahead of your time as usual BT. A visionary idea with real merit!. I'm thinking a whole new Norton subsidiary.

What about 'Norton Mobility'?

Why Norton should definitely continue to build the 961
 
64 . I think when I first started seeing your posts you were 45 ! Does that sound right ?
 
TonyA said:
64 . I think when I first started seeing your posts you were 45 ! Does that sound right ?
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Quite the memory you have Tony. That’s correct. 45 when I got my 2016 Commando SF. 46 when I got the Dominator
 
Voodooo said:
Speaking of ages.
How old are my fellow members?
I’m 50
Click to expand...
We’re not calling you old and cantankerous Voodoo. You’re clearly young and cantankerous!! ;)

Just pullin yer leg!. We tried the age thing before remember and got a limited response - can’t find the thread but from memory I think the average age was 63 (limited population though).

I’m 58 unless I’m on the Cafe Racer, then I feel 78!
 
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