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

BritTwit said:
That's all well and good, but Norton should have been releasing conceptual drawings of their intended offerings a year or more before the actual introduction. Again, the Big 4 know the danger of introducing models that are ill conceived, and that generate little public interest. Concepts help the marketing Dept avoid this potential disaster. All it takes is releasing drawings to M/C publications, and waiting for the public response.
In short, it costs nothing, but could prevent a very costly mistake.
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I’ve been saying this for years. Norton sucks at advertising and getting public attention.
 
The latest U-tube update from Papa Smurf, fm his ‘Norton Unofficial’ site.

Nothing new here, certainly not the continued losses - the cost associated with ongoing development of a new bike range I suspect. They’ve identified that they’ll be ‘in the red’ for a significant period, so no surprises there.

He’s certainly right that they need to get the new bikes out to the (wider) market, so they can start correcting the ledger - sorta goes without saying. Smaller capacity bike(s) out of India for the mass market will be key to this I reckon.

Percentage chance of eventual success in these markets? I’m hopeful, but glad I’m not a betting man:oops:!

 
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What's happening at Norton? Sale to TVS, massive investment, new bikes...
 
TonyA said:
I hope it looks better than I think it looks.
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Well, if these first examples are designed to compete with other manufacturers models, they will probably be standard modern styled. In other words, body work to appeal to younger riders. Bright flashy colors/stripes, lots of angular plastic bits, and such.
If they are supposed to be modern classic models, then they will probably follow more classic lines, and styles.
We all can only hope for the best.:cool:
 
Read several spurious references to a re-developed V4SV - looks like they were accurate. The newly designed models must be next year, or the smaller capacity new model(s) out of India at EICMA also - maybe.

Think Motobob is probably right about a more competitively priced (than the SV) machine. I remember the line that ‘luxury doesn’t necessarily mean expensive’. So guessing Ducati V4 prices.

He’s musing about the ‘twist in the tail’ - which looks like being just a reference to the tail configuration. Certainly gonna be interesting to see when it’s fully dressed.

Really hoping the Norton logo info they put out there was just market research! Didn’t read a single comment that agreed with the change - hopefully we’ll see the original in place. Should be an interesting first day! Would love to be there.
 
The new engine may share the same looking clutch cover as the old V4, doesn't mean its the same engine. They couldn't get the old V4 thru Euro 6 regs, while 175bhp doesn't cut it anymore in the super sports category. A dealer told me last year 'think Ducati' with prices starting around £20,000.. which is similar to other bikes in this sector.
 
Bevelheadmhr said:
The new engine may share the same looking clutch cover as the old V4, doesn't mean its the same engine. They couldn't get the old V4 thru Euro 6 regs, while 175bhp doesn't cut it anymore in the super sports category. A dealer told me last year 'think Ducati' with prices starting around £20,000.. which is similar to other bikes in this sector.
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Of course it’ll be Ducati like in the looks department.
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
By ‘think Ducati’ I believe the guy was trying to infer that it will be a V4 sports bike in the Ducati V4 price range, as opposed to looking like a Ducati.
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Indeed, the comment by the AD.. who'd seen prototypes at the factory, was in response to me saying that I thought the new bike will be a water cooled twin, 6 speed.. the new Commando.. and he replied, no, think Ducati..
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
By ‘think Ducati’ I believe the guy was trying to infer that it will be a V4 sports bike in the Ducati V4 price range, as opposed to looking like a Ducati.
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That’s ok what he’s saying. And I’m saying I’m sure they’ll be modern and similar to other modern bikes such as Ducati. Those tail lights already show that.
It’s definitely not an image of a classic or retro. Especially if they use that ugly new logo.
 
NorTriDuc said:
That’s ok what he’s saying. And I’m saying I’m sure they’ll be modern and similar to other modern bikes such as Ducati. Those tail lights already show that.
It’s definitely not an image of a classic or retro. Especially if they use that ugly new logo.
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I heard think MV Augusta.
 
Gonna be in Blighty in a couple of weeks - anybody know whether they’re still doing any form of factory tours?

There’s nowt on their website, beyond a drop down option on the enquiries form.
 
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