Norton UK Website drop 961 , Variants and Superlight from Bike listing

italia said:
Assuming TVS has rights to the 'Commando' name, it seems likely (to me at least) that Norton would bring out a new Commando with a Euro5-compliant water-cooled engine.
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Yeah, like Triumph did with their 1200cc twin range.
Liquid cooled engine - with attractively styled cooling fins to preserve the air cooled look.
But overhead cam/4 valves per cylinder, 4 main bearing crank for modern power and regulatory conformance.
Then rotate the cylinders forward 15-20 degrees like the 750/850/961 engines to reduce overall height.
 
Voodooo said:
If the atlas or nomad become available, would any of you purchase one?
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Nope. Brit bikes (and the 4 wheel variety) and I will part ways. I will break my addiction to these utterly cool yet awful machines. Meine namen ist Krautfan
 
Voodooo said:
If the atlas or nomad become available, would any of you purchase one?
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Nope. They are f'ugly for a start and look like they were put together from a parts supplier catalogue rather than designed from scratch.

I'm surprised too that they are considering continuing with the V4, it has no 'heritage', no reliability track record either on the track or in accumulating road miles by existing owners and it has to compete with so many other V4's on the market.... it is a Norton in name only.

I'd be surprised if TVS just didn't produce something completely new, probably small engine capacity, priced for the volume market in Asia.
 
Fast Eddie said:
FWIW I’ve nothing against the Atlas range per se, if they price them right I think they’ll sell. It’s definitely a healthy market segment. They’re just not my cup of tea.

It does seem a shame the SL appears to have been dropped, I loved the idea of it. But if it’s true that it’s due to lack of interest, you can’t really blame them. It was most likely just too expensive for what it is.

Of course, the V4 remains interesting. I think they’re fabulous. But I also think that, even if I could afford one (which I can‘t)... the question would be, could I handle 200bhp+ (which I can‘t) !

The V4 has to have huge potential within that segment. I’m surprised you’re not at least a tad interested Scott?!
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To much power for me. I like them for the looks and specs, but no where in my area could I ever use 200 hp. I already got razed for the numb hands and wrist riding my dominator like a old woman lmao.

I know the Ducati Streetfighter has slightly more hp, but it also has a more up right seating. I’d probably go with the Streetfighter or even the KTM super duke 1290R before the norton.
plus I can go buy one of those today. Can’t do that with the Norton. Plus the norton isn’t proven as of yet. But she sure is beautiful looking.
 
Today was a brilliant example of what TVS have purchased but don't appear to have a clue what to do with it.... nostalgia! I hadn't planned to take the 961 out today, it just happened. I needed to run out on a few errands, the weather was on the chilly side but it didn't look like rain in the air and I thought I could get a 50+ mile ride in at the same time. I rolled the bike out, donned wax jacket, hit the starter for half-dozen cranks but not a hint of firing up, hit it again but still nothing. Battery felt like it still had life so hit the starter for the third time and luck was on my side, she crackled into life. 1st gear was a clunk but I was off and motoring, my mind immediately processing the 'character' of starting/riding the 961, reminding me a little of my days of 850 Mk3 ownership. 5 miles down the road to the post office to drop off a parcel. On my return to where I had parked at the kerb side I found a taxi had pulled alongside the bike, window down, driver gave me the thumbs up and a comment along the lines of 'sweet looking bike you have there, I haven't seen a Norton for years'. We chatted for 5 minutes and parted with a nod and a smile. 10 miles further up the road I pulled in to my doctors surgery to pick up a prescription. There was a small queue to get in (CV19 restrictions), the old gent in front of me then started a conversation about how my bike reminded him of when he started to ride in the 50's, he had an Ariel Hunter with a red tank. We spoke (he spoke, I listened) for a good 10 minutes mostly about his fond memories of how he, and his recently departed wife, toured the UK during the 60's. I barely got a word in but the pleasure was all mine in giving this chap the opportunity to step back a few decades. I collected my prescription and returned to my bike and again, an SUV driver had parked next to me and was keen to know all about the bike, the state of affairs with the current ownership of Norton etc.. He was also a biker and had an H-D V-rod but his brother was passionate about Triumph Meridan twins so we found a lot in common. 45 minutes we spent talking mostly about the 961, but also covered Norton, bikes in general, the state of the roads... and the weather. I eventually started my 50 mile bimble and headed up towards the Wolds, my favourite biking roads.... but I had to cut the trip short as the roads were filthy with mud (farming country) and it had started to rain. All in all I rode 35 miles at an average speed of 15mph.... it wasn't what I had in mind but I had a great time, it was a pleasant trip down memory lane for me and those that I met along the way.
 
This news about the 961 and Superlight doesn't necessarily mean they'll never make em again....it might be that they are so far in the future ( makin em right ! ) that they,ve temporarily taken them off the website....
 
MxMartin said:
Today was a brilliant example of what TVS have purchased but don't appear to have a clue what to do with it.... nostalgia! I hadn't planned to take the 961 out today, it just happened. I needed to run out on a few errands, the weather was on the chilly side but it didn't look like rain in the air and I thought I could get a 50+ mile ride in at the same time. I rolled the bike out, donned wax jacket, hit the starter for half-dozen cranks but not a hint of firing up, hit it again but still nothing. Battery felt like it still had life so hit the starter for the third time and luck was on my side, she crackled into life. 1st gear was a clunk but I was off and motoring, my mind immediately processing the 'character' of starting/riding the 961, reminding me a little of my days of 850 Mk3 ownership. 5 miles down the road to the post office to drop off a parcel. On my return to where I had parked at the kerb side I found a taxi had pulled alongside the bike, window down, driver gave me the thumbs up and a comment along the lines of 'sweet looking bike you have there, I haven't seen a Norton for years'. We chatted for 5 minutes and parted with a nod and a smile. 10 miles further up the road I pulled in to my doctors surgery to pick up a prescription. There was a small queue to get in (CV19 restrictions), the old gent in front of me then started a conversation about how my bike reminded him of when he started to ride in the 50's, he had an Ariel Hunter with a red tank. We spoke (he spoke, I listened) for a good 10 minutes mostly about his fond memories of how he, and his recently departed wife, toured the UK during the 60's. I barely got a word in but the pleasure was all mine in giving this chap the opportunity to step back a few decades. I collected my prescription and returned to my bike and again, an SUV driver had parked next to me and was keen to know all about the bike, the state of affairs with the current ownership of Norton etc.. He was also a biker and had an H-D V-rod but his brother was passionate about Triumph Meridan twins so we found a lot in common. 45 minutes we spent talking mostly about the 961, but also covered Norton, bikes in general, the state of the roads... and the weather. I eventually started my 50 mile bimble and headed up towards the Wolds, my favourite biking roads.... but I had to cut the trip short as the roads were filthy with mud (farming country) and it had started to rain. All in all I rode 35 miles at an average speed of 15mph.... it wasn't what I had in mind but I had a great time, it was a pleasant trip down memory lane for me and those that I met along the way.
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That's what I would call a good day out.
 
MxMartin said:
Today was a brilliant example of what TVS have purchased but don't appear to have a clue what to do with it.... nostalgia! I hadn't planned to take the 961 out today, it just happened. I needed to run out on a few errands, the weather was on the chilly side but it didn't look like rain in the air and I thought I could get a 50+ mile ride in at the same time. I rolled the bike out, donned wax jacket, hit the starter for half-dozen cranks but not a hint of firing up, hit it again but still nothing. Battery felt like it still had life so hit the starter for the third time and luck was on my side, she crackled into life. 1st gear was a clunk but I was off and motoring, my mind immediately processing the 'character' of starting/riding the 961, reminding me a little of my days of 850 Mk3 ownership. 5 miles down the road to the post office to drop off a parcel. On my return to where I had parked at the kerb side I found a taxi had pulled alongside the bike, window down, driver gave me the thumbs up and a comment along the lines of 'sweet looking bike you have there, I haven't seen a Norton for years'. We chatted for 5 minutes and parted with a nod and a smile. 10 miles further up the road I pulled in to my doctors surgery to pick up a prescription. There was a small queue to get in (CV19 restrictions), the old gent in front of me then started a conversation about how my bike reminded him of when he started to ride in the 50's, he had an Ariel Hunter with a red tank. We spoke (he spoke, I listened) for a good 10 minutes mostly about his fond memories of how he, and his recently departed wife, toured the UK during the 60's. I barely got a word in but the pleasure was all mine in giving this chap the opportunity to step back a few decades. I collected my prescription and returned to my bike and again, an SUV driver had parked next to me and was keen to know all about the bike, the state of affairs with the current ownership of Norton etc.. He was also a biker and had an H-D V-rod but his brother was passionate about Triumph Meridan twins so we found a lot in common. 45 minutes we spent talking mostly about the 961, but also covered Norton, bikes in general, the state of the roads... and the weather. I eventually started my 50 mile bimble and headed up towards the Wolds, my favourite biking roads.... but I had to cut the trip short as the roads were filthy with mud (farming country) and it had started to rain. All in all I rode 35 miles at an average speed of 15mph.... it wasn't what I had in mind but I had a great time, it was a pleasant trip down memory lane for me and those that I met along the way.
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‘Now that’s what I’m talkin bout’!! I’ve owned many motorcycles in the past 40 years and literally none have garnered the same sort of response I get when I’m out on the Norton. Don’t ride my CR for anything other than pleasure and a big part of that pleasure is the type of conversations Mx is talking about - happens all of the time. Past difficulties aside, this marque Is still revered by many and at the very least sparks interest in others. What an absolute bargain at 16 Mil for TVS. Part aesthetics, part performance, part nostalgia and part patriotism for me.
 
961al said:
This news about the 961 and Superlight doesn't necessarily mean they'll never make em again....it might be that they are so far in the future ( makin em right ! ) that they,ve temporarily taken them off the website....
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Sorry but it’s over.
 
I hope they bring out a 750 Commando something different to the 1200 twins that are on the market by Triumph ('Ive got a 2010 t100 with the 865) Maybe they could re do the Nomad as an ultra lightweight restro styled adv bike something like the t100c's or p11 but with decent tank range, a classic styled capable lightweight go anywhere bike but most of all as others have said they need to keep a bit of character an nostalgia in them. An most of all a decent sounding exhaust with the cats, rather than pushing aftermarket pipes, bit like the Triumph T100 the stock exhausts look superb but by god are they whisper quiet. If they can get the right balance of handling value for money character and sound on something that'd be interesting gutted to see the 961 go though really loved the look of the sport models with the single piece tail unit.
 
norton_rider said:
I hope they bring out a 750 Commando something different to the 1200 twins that are on the market by Triumph ('Ive got a 2010 t100 with the 865) Maybe they could re do the Nomad as an ultra lightweight restro styled adv bike something like the t100c's or p11 but with decent tank range, a classic styled capable lightweight go anywhere bike but most of all as others have said they need to keep a bit of character an nostalgia in them. An most of all a decent sounding exhaust with the cats, rather than pushing aftermarket pipes, bit like the Triumph T100 the stock exhausts look superb but by god are they whisper quiet. If they can get the right balance of handling value for money character and sound on something that'd be interesting gutted to see the 961 go though really loved the look of the sport models with the single piece tail unit.
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Maybe a 750 Command II

That’s all Folks 2

Hey, leave Tiger Cubs out of this. My Dad bought me one when I was 12 to keep me off street corners. Still got the bloody thing !
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com
 
oh yep I like the idea of that :) good concept idea brit twin just had a read down draft heads rock. If anyone from tvs ever reads this if you need a test rider for all year round :cool: just been out in the fog on the 650ss.
 
SO....... if the 961 variants are no more, what's everyone's thoughts about the value of existing bikes...? Go up in value or plummet in value..?
 
961al said:
SO....... if the 961 variants are no more, what's everyone's thoughts about the value of existing bikes...? Go up in value or plummet in value..?
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As much as I would like the value to go up, I don’t believe the demand or want is that strong. At least not here in the states. Every single time I have mine out, I get questions and looks. Often time stories of when they had a Norton but then they say they never realize Norton was back again.
crotch rockets and Harley’s dominate my area. But it would be nice to hold or increase in value in the future. Only time will tell.
 
961al said:
SO....... if the 961 variants are no more, what's everyone's thoughts about the value of existing bikes...? Go up in value or plummet in value..?
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I‘d say it depends on spare parts availability and the markets confidence in spare parts availability.

Few ‘riders’ gonna be keen to buy something they can maintain or repair easily. So that’ll likely hit short erm values.

But if TVS sort the parts issue, that problem will be solved.

Longer term, I’d expect the collectors to start getting more interested, and push up prices.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I‘d say it depends on spare parts availability and the markets confidence in spare parts availability.

Few ‘riders’ gonna be keen to buy something they can maintain or repair easily. So that’ll likely hit short erm values.

But if TVS sort the parts issue, that problem will be solved.

Longer term, I’d expect the collectors to start getting more interested, and push up prices.
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Or if Jinlang 961 parts are available and cheep.
TVS could source parts from Jinlang.
We could have our Commandos running for sometime.
Just have to be quite about where the parts come from.;)
 
Yessir, that’d be cool. They only have the engine rights though I believe... still got the rest of the bike to worry about.
 
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