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


Few pics on MCN, the Atlas looks a really bulky bike, I kind of hand something more T7 svette like in my mind when I thought of a Norton, if we are comparing it to other twin advs the logical ones seem the, Tracer 700 from a road Biased bike, vstrom 650xt, Honda Nx500 the new Kawasaki KLX 500 and to top it off the new Lithe BMW F450GS which was rumored to be on the light side of the A2 weight limit right at 175kg at wet weight stage

As well as having had the 1927 Norton, 750 Commando, an 650ss all sold now I’ve had a slew of adventure bikes,

BMW 1150 GSA, 1200GSA Water cooled, F800GS, 1200GS, Yamaha Tenere 700, Suzukis Vstrom 650 and 1000xt, Hondas NX500 and CRF 300 Rally, Ktm’s 390s an Enfields 411 Himalayan and currently the 450 Himalayan.

So I’ve had and used those all in both in trail/ green laning an very long distance riding for the uk at least in a 585 mile day on the nx500 600+ mile day on the vstrom 650xt and 1200gsa an the 385 mile day a few weeks back on the 450

I’ll be at motorcycle live in a few weeks so will be interesting to see what it’s like :)

For me weight and also weight distribution is super important in this class of bike preferring bikes that hold the weight low for green lane situations, as well as fuel economy.


Hopefully we get wet weights and prices.
 
Last edited:
What's happening at Norton? Sale to TVS, massive investment, new bikes...
 
They have US dealers signed up already???
Is that what he said? Did I hear him right?
I haven't heard of any in my area. WTF?????
 
They’re trying to differentiate themselves through styling (purity) I guess. A bike for the road doesn’t need aero and GP styling - so how to style if not like a race bike? They’ve opted for forward looking - slightly futuristic - very sleek - classy(?) - no fixings and fastenings visible etc. I’d need to see the V4 in the flesh; it’ll be interesting to hear the view of those that have.

Given its performance characteristics it promisses to be a great road bike I think - let’s see what the road testers make of it. 80% of the power @ 3500 revs? Hooning around between 3-7k revs playing with that heavy torque curve sounds like a blast. Class leading torque - maybe not going to impress the track gods. Guess that’s why they’re quick to differentiate it from the likes of the Ducati V4.

Moving away from the usual styling cues will not please some I guess - will most forgive that if the bike is a real performer?

Need to have a better look at the Atlas - not sure about the styling! Certainly not what was expected. Norton/TVS may have more than one eye on the Indian market.
 
Now that they have shown 4 models, maybe they will release info on the other 2 models.
The Manx may be a reasonably good road bike with higher bars, but the R model has pure crotch rocket severe ergonomics.

The Manx has conservative styling for a hooligan bike, but at least it doesn't have an orange seat, and the intake "horns" are blended into the bodywork.
Overall, not a bad first stab at a new model.
Of course, as always the price will determine if it sells.
 
Pathetic logo.
Maybe squid kids will like it.
But to anyone who knows what Norton was, it's a damn shame.
 
Perspective , saw a ' real ' india enfield , the D R Bike , civilian , lane wotsiting , to the front , at the lights , in snotsville .

First impression was ' He's for it ' The Full thrttle take off to head the ' touring ' cars , had him off , in front . On actually .

SO , IF the thottles a switch , and ON is on the stop , . . . .

Think I spied a F 80 at the car show , impression was ' It'd fall to bits , rallying ' . Theres two or four foot ' falls ' at 80 plus
where they ran it in N Z . Of course , seeing the tricks the locals all drove them , after that . Tho a HQ might not ( Holden ) .

So , we're still waiting , for ' PROVEN ' in P.R. or the I.O.M. . or are we . ?

incidently , someone was timed 276 on the salt , on a riginal Triumph . So someones telling porkies . One Way . Like Bert 'n Guy .

So a original Triumph & Norton still tie , for fastet timed , on the salt . Actually the Nortons got 3 mph on the Bonneville .

What's happening at Norton? Sale to TVS, massive investment, new bikes...
and The fonz rode a Norton as well as a T 100 .

Suppose if they get one in the movies , everone will have to have one . They look a bit nervous .

THIS would a been more ' in ' , a while back .

What's happening at Norton? Sale to TVS, massive investment, new bikes...
 
Last edited:
74ok said:
not much on this out there
www.autocarindia.com

Norton working on new 450cc single-cylinder models for 2026 debut - Introduction | Autocar India

Norton Manx and Atlas to be joined by new 450cc single cylinder bike next year. Tap for more.
www.autocarindia.com www.autocarindia.com

bmw tvs



BMW F450GS

Click to expand...

My guess is that the 450 will be next up - single platform, multiple models. I’d also be suprised if we don’t see a retro of some sort, at some stage.

The Manx is a styling statement without a doubt, but not exactly a generational leap - as can be seen in comparison to the Duc below. Take the tail section away and the remainder has regular-ish proportions.

Really difficult to form a full opinion on it without seeing it in the flesh I think - even the photographic images look AI generated (partly because of the styling). Have any of us actually seen it? Who was going to the show?

With oodles of torque right where it is most used on the road, it should be a bangin’ road bike (fingers crossed). Assuming it is and that the pricepoint is right I believe they’ll sell. Really wish they’d have kept the old logo though!


IMG_3333.jpeg


IMG_3335.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Stephen_Spencer said:
My guess is that the 450 will be next up - single platform, multiple models. I’d also be suprised if we don’t see a retro of some sort, at some stage.

The Manx is a styling statement without a doubt, but not exactly a generational leap - as can be seen in comparison to the Duc below. Take the tail section away and the remainder has regular-ish proportions.

Really difficult to form a full opinion on it without seeing it in the flesh I think - even the photographic images look AI generated (partly because of the styling). Have any of us actually seen it? Who was going to the show?

With oodles of torque right where it is most used on the road, it should be a bangin’ road bike (fingers crossed). Assuming it is and that the pricepoint is right I believe they’ll sell. Really wish they’d have kept the old logo though!


View attachment 122428

View attachment 122429
Click to expand...
It’s pretty obvious where Norton got their design ideas from.

To me, the v4 Nortons look like an Ev Bike.

Have you ever ridden a v4? They don’t have oodles of torque in the low or mid range. I mean they do if you compare them to a 961.
 
NorTriDuc said:
It’s pretty obvious where Norton got their design ideas from.

To me, the v4 Nortons look like an Ev Bike.

Have you ever ridden a v4? They don’t have oodles of torque in the low or mid range. I mean they do if you compare them to a 961.
Click to expand...
If Brian Gillen is to be taken at his word Voodooo, the Manx produces 130+ Nm of torque - 75% of (peak torque) which is available at 3800 revs. The bike is designed/configured to be ridden between 3-7K revs (low to mid range). The Penagale V4R reaches 111 Nm or torque at 12k revs.

On face value, it appears that they are trying to market a real world superbike for the road, as opposed to a high revving track bike that can’t possible be used on the road.

If they suceed, might that be an attractive proposition? I guess only time and some decent road tests will tell.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top