Why so many for sale?

I have just looked and found x14 Norton Commando 961s for sale on ebay. For such a limited production motorcycle is does seem out of balance........are there any views on this ? They are all low mileage too :!:

Are you talking about eBay throughout the world, or a specific country only. I only count three for sale on the US site.

Ken

I just searched the US ebay and saw one used Commando 961. Over the past week, there had been 2 new from a dealer and one Domi Racer new from dealer in California. Must be the world wide market, which really isn't a lot. Even if it were the UK market where they've been sold for 7 years.

Searched ebay UK. Only 12 for sale, 11 of them from dealerships. Go figure. http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw= ... _sacat=422

I wonder how the used prices compare to new? Have the "bleeding edge" buyers taken a hit, or are they making some money?

The private seller stated he flips bikes to support his other bike project. Same with another bike being sold on consignment. To me, 12 bikes are not a lot in the UK. Some folks trade up quickly. I hold on to my stuff forever.

Prices for the bikes at Norton Factory have gone up . I think that most of these sellers are just trying turn a profit while they still can. Most likely these buyers are either very fickle or they never intended to keep them in the first place. Assuming these sellers are not dealers . It would be easy enough to compare their asking price to a new bike ... My (our Sport) model is now $19.9k am I right ? I paid $17.9K for mine does that ring true for you guys ? That's a $2 k increase in 2 years . Am I right on these prices ? The other models of course cost more . Did the same increase happen to those models ?

Crispyduck. Do you inquire because you still desire? Last we heard from you, you were considering a preowned 2011. What happened since then?

Britfan60 said:

The private seller stated he flips bikes to support his other bike project. Same with another bike being sold on consignment. To me, 12 bikes are not a lot in the UK. Some folks trade up quickly. I hold on to my stuff forever.

Click to expand...

On ebay in the UK right now there are 14 new generation Commando's for sale.

As to whether that is a lot or a little... There are only 15 old generation Commando's for sale on eBay.

Given how many old ones must have been produced, I'd say the OP was correct and there are (proportionally to how many have been made) a lot of new generation Commando's on the second hand market in the UK.

The answer is - Triumph Thruxton, they should have seen that one coming. It will also be nice to see if BSA will make a bike to take sales from the 961 - yes, the Indians have just bought the rights to build bikes, make spares and clothing and to retail worldwide.

Maybe your name should be BadNorton BadNorton ...

My guess is the horrible warranty record. Many original owners have only gotten to ride for a couple of months of each year that they've owned their bikes ...

(see other post on this topic, it is apparently improving as of late)

I think it may be far simpler and its just market forces. Have a look at how many new (ish) Honda, Kawasaki's, Yamaha's etc are for sale and then look at how many classic ones and Im sure the percentage will look a lot better. As since there have been over a thousand bike produced is the twelve/thirteen or fourteen or whatever it is really a concern. Surely it would only be a concern if all or none were for sale. And as for other brands there will always be people who favour one over another so if you want a Triumph and not a Norton do it. Buy one. And stop complaining if you don't have one. Mine has issues and is with the factory. Im sure it will be sorted. Sorry that those in the States etc have had bad experiences with spares and warranty work but seriously phone there factory or email them. You will get a response.

glb said:

I think it may be far simpler and its just market forces. Have a look at how many new (ish) Honda, Kawasaki's, Yamaha's etc are for sale and then look at how many classic ones and Im sure the percentage will look a lot better. As since there have been over a thousand bike produced is the twelve/thirteen or fourteen or whatever it is really a concern. Surely it would only be a concern if all or none were for sale. And as for other brands there will always be people who favour one over another so if you want a Triumph and not a Norton do it. Buy one. And stop complaining if you don't have one. Mine has issues and is with the factory. Im sure it will be sorted. Sorry that those in the States etc have had bad experiences with spares and warranty work but seriously phone there factory or email them. You will get a response.

Click to expand...

This post makes a lot of sense. I did a search for a newish BMW 1200RT and there are tens to choose from. Same with Ducati Monster. It really is the doubters and the nay sayers that are so sure Triumph is going to kill Norton. I did have a lot of problems with mine, and really, when I got mine, it was the first shipment Norton had made to the states. Being a relatively small company first starting out in the US market can be daunting. And I did my share of putting it out there. At the time, I felt a bit helpless. But here I am, happy as a clam. Bike is finally sorted, customer service has become stellar (at least for me). So it took a while to get off the ground. Really, a dozen bikes for sale doesn't exactly send tremors through the Norton world. Its premium bike. Buck up or shut up.

In the UK it is not the same equation, PCP packages are offered here by many manufacturers and I bet a lot are those that at the end of their contract and being sold. As far as I am aware Norton Motorcycles does not do PCP. A dozen bikes here in the UK is considered a lot when you take into account the monthly sales volume of the makes sold - not sure, but I don't remember seeing it in the trader news that I get as to how many Nortons are registered each month. Yes, it has been going for six or seven years now so there should be a considerable number on the road, but this was recently queried in the NOC, as to how many members had a 961 in relation to how many sold in the UK. Surprisingly, when you look at the DVLA quarterly registrations which cover the period they have been in existence, it was a fair proportion of what has actually be registered.

As for putting up or shutting up, I very much like the look of them and I could afford several tomorrow, but a member at the local branch who has one from new - a recent purchase, has seriously put me off. Sadly, he was offered a Domi whilst his was being serviced and said it was just beautiful to ride when compared to his - how can they get one bike so right and another so wrong.

Will they be around in the future, I reckon so as they have broke the 5 year barrier so the business model must be in place and reliable suppliers sought to support them, so they have something they can build on. For Triumph to produce the Thruxton is flattery to the Norton, looks wise similar style aimed at the same market, but Norton will catch up, and if Triumph cock up or give like they have with their tourer, then why would Norton worry.

The buck up or shut up was a general statement, not directed directly at you, MadNorton. There are so many derogatory statements posted by folks that never even seen one. Especially here in the US where there are probably less than 200 units. Keep in mind, it is not a mass produced nor was ever intended to be a mass produced product. Some folks are lucky enough to get one, take it for a spin and flip it for either a profit or no loss. Several months is a long time to wait when the weather is nice and you're Jonesing for a bad ass bike. If people don't want to wait nor pay the premium, there's your nice mass produced Triumph. Not knocking it. Its a very nice ride, but side by side, I'd choose the Norton every time.

Britfan60 said:

If people don't want to wait nor pay the premium, there's your nice mass produced Triumph. Not knocking it. Its a very nice ride, but side by side, I'd choose the Norton every time.

Click to expand...

After just 3 rides I can't believe there's anything out there handles nicer.

I realise you probably didn't mean it in this way Britfan, but actually, the opinion of those who do not 'buck up' count a lot... in many ways they are the most important people that manufacturers should listen to!

Those who have already bought are already caught... those who aren't interested probably never will be... but those who nearly bought but got away, they're the real loss.

Fast Eddie said:

... but those who nearly bought but got away, they're the real loss.

Click to expand...

You make very good point. We have heard from plenty from that group right here on the forum. The 961 is not for the faint of heart considering the issues. It's definitely a high maintenance machine and most of us who have done the research had to decide whether or not it's worth the suffering. I am one of those to say I will just deal with it. Because my lust for this bike has been baking since 2010. On the other hand, the 2015 and 2016 models have seen a lot of corrections. Knowing that the support has improved will encourage at least a few more like me.

I know it's way too early to tell, but my Sport appears to be a successful build. Even with the start up issue it is no worse than my 1975 Mk3.


As an aside (and maybe this should be another thread), in terms of the sound coming from the engine and the de-catted Motad pipes makes has an uncanny resemblance to that of my old Honda 450. Does anybody else get that connection? It's very weird. :|

I could care less if everybody sells theirs, mine is not for sale. When I put my name down wanting one when they became available, it wan't with the intention of turning a buck when it showed up. This is one of several bikes I own and I didn't buy any of them for an investment. I'm a lifetime rider and I love motorcycles. Mine's a 2014 with only 3000 miles,but in that time I've been putting a lot of miles on several other bikes too. In 50 years of riding I can say I enjoy my 961 as much as any, and more than some, of the motorcycles I've owned. They're just like women. A pretty one is nice to have but you'll have to put up with a leak now and then and no matter how nice they look, they still fart. If you find a perfect one don't ride it or you'll ruin it. Use them up, they'll make more. Seven bikes at home, one at work, two at a buddy's house, three at my girlfriends house. girlfriend lives 200 miles away. Bikes never bitch and show their appreciation for a little attention. Works well. If you think the 961 is a piece of crap, keep it to yourself and by all means, don't buy one.

Fast Eddie said:

I realise you probably didn't mean it in this way Britfan, but actually, the opinion of those who do not 'buck up' count a lot... in many ways they are the most important people that manufacturers should listen to!

Those who have already bought are already caught... those who aren't interested probably never will be... but those who nearly bought but got away, they're the real loss.

Click to expand...

I'm sure Norton likes to sell their bikes, but not being massed produced, they can hardly make them fast enough which kind of keeps an exclusive crowd of owners. I know that sounds snobby, and its not meant to, but unless they go automated factory/assembly line, that's just the way its going to be. As they originally intended. Waiting eons for the bike is not a fault. Its already understood ans part of the game to have an exclusive bike. For every one that got away, there will be another to take his place. "Already caught" but not stuck. Glad I stuck out the aggravation until things settled down. The bike is spectacular.