961 for my 50th? Hola from Spain

worntorn said:
Yeah, like you, I'm pissed off that I don't own one. I've also tried to convince myself that they are ugly and gutless, but somehow I am just not believable. :D

Nicely put! :eek:
 
This is an update on the situation on Spain. I called the only Norton 'dealer' in Spain, in Barcelona, and they said that they still can't get the bikes homologated to meet Spanish road law requirements. Must be frustrating for them and probably Norton UK.

Can't believe it's taking 6 months and still not possible... :roll:

I'll probably only see a real one in action if we get up to the Factory in the summer... :|

Meanwhile I've bought and upgraded a Thruxton to keep me occupied.
 
50th? Nada de nada en España

12th Feb.

Called Cover Ducati Barcelona this afternoon (the 'to be' Norton solus dealer and distributor in Spain). They were a bit crypitc.

Me: Have you got them homologated ?
dealer: Just the Sport.
Me. When are they going to be for sale?
dealer: Difficult to say.
me: What's the problem? The Technical centres for the MOT, Norton UK... ?
Dealer. A bit of both.
me: so? Can I buy one or not?
Dealer: Look, it's all a bit in the air at the moment. Don't know what's going to happen.
...

After a couple more rebuffs I got the feeling that Norton aren't being helpful in getting the bikes through the Spanish MOT homologation and the dealer is having second thoughts about collaboration. This has been going on for nearly two years they said. So...
doesn't look too good does it? and it's no good importing a bike here as there's no homologation for them and definitely not any official service by the looks of things. The 3 bikes are still sitting there in the dealer's garage waiting...

Right now, the Triumph whatever RR 2016 is looking like the definite favourite in what is really a one-horse race. :roll:

Big pity. Spain is the iconic biking country in the world right now with 3 current motorcycle world champions from Catalunya and a large number of launches and tests done here. Biking is a big thing here, but it won't involve seeing Norton 961s for a while. :x
 
Al-otment said:
No, Bob, I'm not talking about peoples personalities here - I'm talking about ergonomics. I'm 6' (on a good day) with a 32" inside leg. For me to be able to grip the tank with my knees, it would require my shins to be approx. 6" longer. Now I'm no catwalk model but it seems Frankenstein supplied the measurements for the 961.

I'm also 6' with boots on and my knees only hug the tank grooves just right when I'm on my toes with heals up on the pegs. My neighbor is 6'2" though and when he sat on the Norton it fit him like a glove. My Thruxton was too small and crowded for him. He said if he got a Thruxton he'd need to adjust a few things, but the Norton fit him great. I love the Norton, but my legs would fit it slightly better if I was a couple inches taller (or pegs were an inch or two higher)
 
Re: 50th? Nada de nada en España

mrsimon said:
12th Feb.

Called Cover Ducati Barcelona this afternoon (the 'to be' Norton solus dealer and distributor in Spain). They were a bit crypitc.

Me: Have you got them homologated ?
dealer: Just the Sport.
Me. When are they going to be for sale?
dealer: Difficult to say.
me: What's the problem? The Technical centres for the MOT, Norton UK... ?
Dealer. A bit of both.
me: so? Can I buy one or not?
Dealer: Look, it's all a bit in the air at the moment. Don't know what's going to happen.
...

After a couple more rebuffs I got the feeling that Norton aren't being helpful in getting the bikes through the Spanish MOT homologation and the dealer is having second thoughts about collaboration. This has been going on for nearly two years they said. So...
doesn't look too good does it? and it's no good importing a bike here as there's no homologation for them and definitely not any official service by the looks of things. The 3 bikes are still sitting there in the dealer's garage waiting...

Right now, the Triumph whatever RR 2016 is looking like the definite favourite in what is really a one-horse race. :roll:

Big pity. Spain is the iconic biking country in the world right now with 3 current motorcycle world champions from Catalunya and a large number of launches and tests done here. Biking is a big thing here, but it won't involve seeing Norton 961s for a while. :x

Seems like a damn shame that this situation has gone on for so long.
I can't imagine what the problem could be with the Spanish Government giving its approval of the 961.

You referenced the Triumph RR 2016 as your favorite now that the 961 is not available, were you referring to the new spied 1100 twin that is expected out next year?
The spy shots are interesting OK. However, the styling of that bike I think falls short of the 961. For sure it will be considerable less expensive that the 961.

Let's hope the Spanish MOT wakes up sometime soon.
 
Re: 50th? Nada de nada en España

mrsimon said:
12th Feb.

Called Cover Ducati Barcelona this afternoon (the 'to be' Norton solus dealer and distributor in Spain). They were a bit crypitc.

Me: Have you got them homologated ?
dealer: Just the Sport.
Me. When are they going to be for sale?
dealer: Difficult to say.
me: What's the problem? The Technical centres for the MOT, Norton UK... ?
Dealer. A bit of both.
me: so? Can I buy one or not?
Dealer: Look, it's all a bit in the air at the moment. Don't know what's going to happen.
...

After a couple more rebuffs I got the feeling that Norton aren't being helpful in getting the bikes through the Spanish MOT homologation and the dealer is having second thoughts about collaboration. This has been going on for nearly two years they said. So...
doesn't look too good does it? and it's no good importing a bike here as there's no homologation for them and definitely not any official service by the looks of things. The 3 bikes are still sitting there in the dealer's garage waiting...

Right now, the Triumph whatever RR 2016 is looking like the definite favourite in what is really a one-horse race. :roll:

Big pity. Spain is the iconic biking country in the world right now with 3 current motorcycle world champions from Catalunya and a large number of launches and tests done here. Biking is a big thing here, but it won't involve seeing Norton 961s for a while. :x

Have you considered the BMW NINE T ? Its a retro cafe with 110 HP. Its seems rather small and there are a few plastic bits. I like the exterior build quality better on the Norton, but I was seriously considering the Beemer if the Norton fell through. It looks like a blast. No Ohlins and I haven't tested it, but its in that genre that we all seem to love around here.
 
Re: 50th? Nada de nada en España

Britfan60 said:
mrsimon said:
12th Feb.

Called Cover Ducati Barcelona this afternoon (the 'to be' Norton solus dealer and distributor in Spain). They were a bit crypitc.

Me: Have you got them homologated ?
dealer: Just the Sport.
Me. When are they going to be for sale?
dealer: Difficult to say.
me: What's the problem? The Technical centres for the MOT, Norton UK... ?
Dealer. A bit of both.
me: so? Can I buy one or not?
Dealer: Look, it's all a bit in the air at the moment. Don't know what's going to happen.
...

After a couple more rebuffs I got the feeling that Norton aren't being helpful in getting the bikes through the Spanish MOT homologation and the dealer is having second thoughts about collaboration. This has been going on for nearly two years they said. So...
doesn't look too good does it? and it's no good importing a bike here as there's no homologation for them and definitely not any official service by the looks of things. The 3 bikes are still sitting there in the dealer's garage waiting...

Right now, the Triumph whatever RR 2016 is looking like the definite favourite in what is really a one-horse race. :roll:

Big pity. Spain is the iconic biking country in the world right now with 3 current motorcycle world champions from Catalunya and a large number of launches and tests done here. Biking is a big thing here, but it won't involve seeing Norton 961s for a while. :x

Have you considered the BMW NINE T ? Its a retro cafe with 110 HP. Its seems rather small and there are a few plastic bits. I like the exterior build quality better on the Norton, but I was seriously considering the Beemer if the Norton fell through. It looks like a blast. No Ohlins and I haven't tested it, but its in that genre that we all seem to love around here.

Yes, OK, the BMW is in the Premium café race category that only the Norton 961 is in at the moment, since Ducati discontinued their Paul Smart bike. It's a potential buy, but I want a British Café Racer really so that rules out the Beemer! I think they've done a good with it, although at 15000 euros, it's a big Price tag for what it is. I've been thinking of making the Barcelona dealer an offer on the Sport that they've homologated. If they could register it then they could sell it. Maybe they need special parts or cooperation from Norton and Norton don't or won't help. Hard to say. There would be a market for them here. There's a certain niche market for Premium classic bikes in Barcelona and Madrid. People with money looking for something to show off on ... :lol: I'd love to be the only owner in Spain!! Then you have insurance problems. "That model doesn't show up on our computer señor. And I'm not sure if the dealer could offer Norton guarantees at the moment, or would want to. The whole thing is strange given the potential market.

Well, if the Norton falls through then the Thruxton goes and the Triumph Tracker RR will enter my stable. I prefer the looks of the Norton but... All this could be at least a year away.
 
Back
Top