Returned Again

GaryC

GaryC

Joined
Jul 8, 2018
Messages
61
So the 961 was returned this afternoon, came home from work to meet the driver, rode it back to work. Yes got that big smile back, nothing like the Norton to cheer you up.
Obviously more to this, I’ll post something when I have more time. It’s been nearly three weeks, however I’d rather have the wait than the run of minor problems.
However, on the funny side, I really couldn’t get angry and to be clear not a slight on Norton or the Factory but it was supposed to be delivered yesterday. Driver arrived, I hadn’t had my 30 minutes out call, knocked the door and asked SWMBO where was the bike? My Wife’s laughs and said “yes good one” you’re delivering it......
Driver adamant he was collecting, yes he’d left the factory and my 961 was still there..............
You do have to laugh and you can’t make it up. The factory were apologetic, like I said I couldn’t get angry. I don’t think the guy will live it down for a while.
 
It never happens that they call to drop off a bike you weren't expecting does it?
 
No Clive it doesn’t, on the bright side, second driver called 30 minutes out so I had time to get home. In hindsight it was probably best the first driver didn’t, as I find it funny now, had I been home maybe not.
 
For what it is worth. I had briefly considered buying a new Norton but with the lack of support for the brand here in the US I just couldn't do it. There is one dealer half way across Texas from me and the next is on the left coast. In my opinion, Norton needs to work on that to increase their sales.
John in Texas
 
And everywhere in the USA. Nothing on the East Coast! All 4 dealers are midwest - west coast. Closest dealer is about 2000 miles!!!
 
Please don't anyone take offence, but not buying a 961 because of lack of Back-up seems to be making excuses. Most on this Forum who don't own a 961 appear to have pre Donnington Nortons. What do "You" do for parts and servicing on a 50+ year old bike when it stops working?. If you could actually afford a 961, I guess, for most of you it wouldn't be your only bike,so being off the road won't ruin your life, and nowadays,as a Classic is not such a cheap option to own and therefore you are not Impecunious, is it meanness or the Wife that stops you enjoying a 961? It cant be the dealer network as you haven't got one for your "Classic". If you're unlucky enough for a 961 to break down you can have readily available parts, (unlike a "Classic"), on your door step in a week, anywhere in the world and I know"Uncle Stuart" is far more likely to listen to your problems than "Pa" Norton, or is it the realisation that the "Classic" investment in your garage turned out to be a dire piece of crap that you did 40 miles on before it dawned on you that the one you had when you were 19 was brilliant and it never rained, ever, but that was 35+ years ago, and that wasting your money on Beer and Women would have been a far better use of the cash than never riding it and letting the kids sell your unused "Classic" for peanuts when your dead. In my defence, I have a 59 T110 that whilst virtually unused, has probably made 2 or 3 grand in the 7 years I have owned it, and on the odd occasion I trundle out for a short ride on my "Classic" I return wishing I had gone on my Modern, Unreliable, Badly Braked, Rubbish Suspension Rapidly Depreciating Modern Norton. Or my Harley or My KTM or the Fekin Bus. It's lovely to look at tho'. I await the abuse :) !!!
 
I would like to see more people buying the Norton 961 . I know the bike is not for everyone. If you had or have a vintage Norton it is a much easier sell . But the 961 in the wrong hands will do more damage to the reputation I fear. The 961 is like having a classic Norton Commando with modern performance. If you can drive a Triumph Street Triple ,BMW R9T or similar bike on a 1000 mile trip you can do it on the Commando 961. " There is nothing to fear but fear itself " .
 
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I agree with almost all of your argument.
Like you, I didn’t put all my eggs in one basket. I have several bikes, so that when one is off the road, for whatever reason, I have another to ride.

I believe though that many people thinking about a new 961 are reluctant because it is a brand new motorcycle, and they see so many threads on this forum related to its problems. Those looking to buy a new 961 compare it to a new Honda, Suzuki, BMW or Ducati and think the Norton should have the same reliability and support because it is also new. But it doesn’t. Norton is now a boutique brand, and anyone who wants to own one will simply have to deal with that downside. A rather sparse dealer network is one downside.

The 961 is not, and never will be everybody’s cup of tea.
 
TonyA said:
I would like to see more people buying the Norton 961 . I know the bike is not for everyone. If you had or have a vintage Norton it is a much easier sell . But the 961 in the wrong hands will do more damage to the reputation I fear. The 961 is like having a classic Norton Commando with modern performance. If you can drive a Triumph Street Triple ,BMW R9T or similar bike on a 1000 mile trip you can do it on the Commando 961. " There is nothing to fear but fear itself " .
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I agree with you on the resale factor. The 961 doesn't fly off Ebay etc, but ultimately anything has a price that it will sell for and that may well be too much loss for some. But Biking is a Choice not a Need, and I can guarantee everyone that, every drop of Alcohol I have ever bought (and it's a lot) has lost me money. But I never buy a bike with depreciation as a consideration(I lost more on my car leaving the forecourt than my Norton cost in total), I have a "Smile per Mile" equation and I buy for the same reason that all of us 961 owners did. And to coin the old adage, "For those that know, no explanation is needed, for those that don't, no explanation is possible" !!.
 
All my life I spent most of my money on cars, beer and women.
I did however, waste the rest ( I think that was a George Best quote, but can't be sure )
Anyway, a pretty good round up of most of us I'd say , substituting cars for bikes that is :)
sam
 
I suppose your experiences with a 961 kind of depend on whether you are the sort of person to remember sitting on the roadside in the rain waiting for the AA (for our overseas cousins this isn't Alcoholics Anonymous but the breakdown recovery service) or when you manged to overtake your mate on a jap sports bike down a snaking road on a warm summer's day.

Maybe prospective owners should get a personality test. Us Morgan drivers would get an automatic exemption;)
 
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