50th anniversary Cafe Racer

TonyA said:
Hello Fast Eddie , Have you taken a test drive yet ? I would do that , just to be sure you like it. I did not have that opportunity when I purchased mine. I had to take the buy it and see approach. Naturally , if you are a died in the wool Norton guy like me it wont matter. BUT if you are expecting high levels of refinement like BMW and Triumph don't buy it. The Norton 961 experience is very visceral , much like driving a MOTUS 1650 . You will feel everything , and this is not knock . This bike is not for general consumption , it is an acquired taste.
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Yep totally agree. Its not as refined as a modern bike. But sure is fun and engaging to ride.
 
I would also suggest you take a test ride first.
It’s a lot of cash to have regrets over later on if you are disappointed.
As a general rule I never buy anything sight unseen, or untested.

Oh damn, wait that’s not right. I bought my 961 as soon as it was uncrated.
But that’s me, and I’m nuts.
 
TonyA said:
Hello Fast Eddie , Have you taken a test drive yet ? I would do that , just to be sure you like it. I did not have that opportunity when I purchased mine. I had to take the buy it and see approach. Naturally , if you are a died in the wool Norton guy like me it wont matter. BUT if you are expecting high levels of refinement like BMW and Triumph don't buy it. The Norton 961 experience is very visceral , much like driving a MOTUS 1650 . You will feel everything , and this is not knock . This bike is not for general consumption , it is an acquired taste.
Click to expand...

Well, daft as it may seem, I have never ridden one, and the deposit is paid now!

I'm not worried about the refinement in the slightest, lack of refinement and hard core visceral experience is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. My main reason for not buying a Thruxton is precisely that it was way too refined for me.

I thought the R nine T was bland, but I changed my mind when I rode other moderns. I had a 700GS loan bike when the R9 was in for its service. Stroll on, talk about bland!

With its torque reaction and vibration, the R9 is a lot more raw than most moderns, and I am very much hoping the 961 is even so!

I think my only real concern is whether or not the past gremlins have finally been engineered out. If I have to go through the level of pain that some of you guys have in the past, the love will fade rapidly.

I am proceeding with this purchase on the basis that it is a hand built bike, built by a small company, so it will have some niggles that need ironing out. But I am also proceeding on the basis that the known faults are now fixed, and the bike is fundamentally sound.

So, watch this space, have patience, and all will be revealed ... !
 
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Fast Eddie said:
I am proceeding with this purchase on the basis that it is a hand built bike, built by a small company, so it will have some niggles that need ironing out. But I am also proceeding on the basis that the known faults are now fixed, and the bike is fundamentally sound.
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That's exactly the mental mindset required to live in harmony with your 961.
 
You have a big advantage living close to the factory ! Scotland is close to the factory ! Wales is close to the factory ! Kent is close to the factory ! Cornwall is close to the factory ! Ireland is close to the Factory ! Northern Ireland is close to the Factory ! IOM is close to the factory ! Anytime you have a problem that you can't deal with just bring it back home ! BTW , Just got back from a 105 mile ride and thought about the California high bars and wind protection the whole way.
 
BritTwit said:
I would also suggest you take a test ride first.
It’s a lot of cash to have regrets over later on if you are disappointed.
As a general rule I never buy anything sight unseen, or untested.

Oh damn, wait that’s not right. I bought my 961 as soon as it was uncrated.
But that’s me, and I’m nuts.
Click to expand...
 
TonyA said:
You have a big advantage living close to the factory ! Scotland is close to the factory ! Wales is close to the factory ! Kent is close to the factory ! Cornwall is close to the factory ! Ireland is close to the Factory ! Northern Ireland is close to the Factory ! IOM is close to the factory ! Anytime you have a problem that you can't deal with just bring it back home ! BTW , Just got back from a 105 mile ride and thought about the California high bars and wind protection the whole way.
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Tony, that’s exactly the realisation I had!

I live 2 hours from the factory, but my BMW dealer is 5 minutes away. So I had the mindset that the factory was a long way away.

Then I read posts from you guys ‘over there’ who are hundreds of miles from your nearest semi interested / almost competent dealerships and I realised I was being, shall we say, somewhat small minded!

I’m buying mine direct from the factory (that has to help them a bit with margins) and intend to use the factory for all work. Richard and Ben and other ‘locals’ who use the factory and post on here generally praise the level of service they get.

So, once again, fingers crossed !
 
Dommie Nator said:
Nice one Nigel, will you have it in time for the "Festival of a 1000 Bikes" that is happening again at Mallory?
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I bloody well hope so Cab! And I fully intend to enter it. Might take the Panzer along as well.

What about you, venturing out onto the track next year?
 
Fast Eddie said:
I’m buying mine direct from the factory (that has to help them a bit with margins) and intend to use the factory for all work. Richard and Ben and other ‘locals’ who use the factory and post on here generally praise the level of service they get.

So, once again, fingers crossed !
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That has to be a big advantage. The interface via dealer needs a lot of time, money and nerves. Well, I guess this depends mainly on the quality of relationship between factory and dealer. Unfortunately, one can’t order parts directly from the factory anymore...

BTW: The test ride was the final reason to order my CR961 and not the other way round! You won’t feel any issues, if there still are. You notice them with increasing miles on the clock... But me too, I hope they sorted most of them by now!
 
Raphi said:
That has to be a big advantage. The interface via dealer needs a lot of time, money and nerves. Well, depends on the quality of relationship between factory and dealer. Unfortunately, one can’t order parts directly from the factory anymore...
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And that seems like a huge backwards step to me. I can’t really fathom their logic behind this move to be honest.

From what I’ve heard, the best option for anyone outside the U.K. is to use Krazy Horse for spares, they seem to know what they are doing, they are big time petrol heads themselves, and seem to have a reputation for fast efficient service.
 
TonyA said:
Hello Fast Eddie , Have you taken a test drive yet ? I would do that , just to be sure you like it. I did not have that opportunity when I purchased mine. I had to take the buy it and see approach. Naturally , if you are a died in the wool Norton guy like me it wont matter. BUT if you are expecting high levels of refinement like BMW and Triumph don't buy it. The Norton 961 experience is very visceral , much like driving a MOTUS 1650 . You will feel everything , and this is not knock . This bike is not for general consumption , it is an acquired taste.
Click to expand...

Problem or not, you test ride this thing and your sold. It is so firmly planted on the ground yet nimble. If you long for the vibes of yesteryear its a done deal. When you see how fabulous the build is with its built like a tank, charge like a bull attitude, there's nothing currently on the market that will fill the niche like the 961.
 
Britfan60 said:
Problem or not, you test ride this thing and your sold. It is so firmly planted on the ground yet nimble. If you long for the vibes of yesteryear its a done deal. When you see how fabulous the build is with its built like a tank, charge like a bull attitude, there's nothing currently on the market that will fill the niche like the 961.
Click to expand...

You should be on commission.

You’d have sold me one for sure... if I hadn’t bought one already!
 
I think the low speed handling isn't great! But that is not what we buy them for is it. Anything over 20 mph and the handling is great foe a retro. Brakes and suspension are great for any bike period!
 
Fast Eddie said:
I bloody well hope so Cab! And I fully intend to enter it. Might take the Panzer along as well.

What about you, venturing out onto the track next year?
Click to expand...

Very doubtful, question of cost primarily, but I might venture over if the attendance is rumoured to be up on this years alternative effort of the event.
 
Nigel I know you are the kind of guy who plans and makes lists. One thing we all have to do is adjust or have professionally adjusted the Ohlins suspension. At the minimum you must set static sag and dynamic sag. With the stock settings you will have very good suspension, Iwilson and others will agree with me that with some professional tuning you will have amazing suspension! It is the adjustability that gives Ohlins its deserved reputation!
 

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