961 is back !

Stephen_Spencer said:
Out of interest, has anybody heard of a manufacturer running a mobile test ride service before? Can’t say I have!

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Why do you think they are offering this unrealistic service?
They didn’t even let people test ride the bikes at the last factory invite correct?

If I remember correctly members here said they could only sit on the bike and shift it in and out of gear.

I’ll give one hint as to why they’re posting this…..

They have no dealers for would be customers to visit or test ride.
They are only working on a narrow market range. Another fail.
 
Ah V2D3 my friend, you always leave any discussion with such a warm fuzzy feeling - you’re a certifiable ray of sunshine!

I noticed that you don’t have a profile picture. What about this one🤣?!

E3D4BCFB-EB57-466A-BEED-D159F29A14A1.jpeg
 
Agreed, I’m pretty sure that a dealer network (at home and abroad) is pretty high on their priority list and rightly so.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Well they have actually said words to the contrary, stating that ‘initially’ their focus is on the factory being THE retail outlet and ‘customer experience centre’.

That’s fine as well as, but not instead of, a dealership network IMO.

Guess it all comes down to one’s interpretation of ‘initially’. I imagine they have a model showing that the customer experience centre will suffice up to a sales volume of ‘x’ beyond which a staged dealership plan kicks in.

I’m sure they’re monitoring this... and if footfall (and sales) at the customer experience centre aren’t as high as expected, it will surely hasten the dealership network plans.
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Yep, picked up on the initially reference however there is plenty of commentary about the eventual dealer network also. Every second question on FB asks about a dealer network in ‘X’ country, lots from the US. Norton feedback details that this is planned to occur. No time frames given though which would be frustrating for many - guess they really have learnt that lesson. Reckon your sssesment above is pretty accurate FE.

Not forgetting Gladwells (over) utopian vision of a dealer experience detailed in an earlier thread.
 
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Voodooo said:
Stu
Test ride a new commando.
Take it to your shop and swap the new 961 motor with a Donington motor then return the bike back to TVS.

Then tear down the new 961 and report back. 🍿
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Norton has seen such antics in the past....don't think I want to be going down the same route 🫣 😆

I'll try and sort a ride out then....its just free time that I'm struggling with at present.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
Norton has seen such antics in the past....don't think I want to be going down the same route 🫣 😆

I'll try and sort a ride out then....its just free time that I'm struggling with at present.
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The old Norton Rotary offered service from home.
They sent out a van to your house to carry out servicing and small warranty repairs.
No test rides though.
 
MAK said:
The old Norton Rotary offered service from home.
They sent out a van to your house to carry out servicing and small warranty repairs.
No test rides though.
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The mobile test ride option is a bit of ‘out of the box thinking’ born of necessity I guess. As V2D3 rightly points out, no dealer network = no test rides, for those not willing to travel. A test ride is a none negotiable for many bikers. I bought without one, but my guess is that the majority would not. It would limit sales for sure. As to whether the mobile option is sustainable, who knows!
 
MAK said:
The old Norton Rotary offered service from home.
They sent out a van to your house to carry out servicing and small warranty repairs.
No test rides though.
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I was referring to the swapping of parts chap.
I don't know on the servicing at home thing. It's convenient for light commercial, but not something for a premium brand in a modern age.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
I was referring to the swapping of parts chap.
I don't know on the servicing at home thing. It's convenient for light commercial, but not something for a premium brand in a modern age.
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Everyone comes to your home now, Kwik fit, specsafers, car servicing.
 
As far as I'm aware, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Ducati etc don't come to your home. Kwikfit and Specsavers I really wouldn't put in the premium brand category.
 
Yeah same from my end chap, in general premium brands don't do things on your driveway. And then the brand is trying to split itself by all accounts, by proposing they'll do 961's on your driveway, but not V4's. Can you imagine Aston Martin, arguably the car worlds equivalent...or at least that's how SG was pushing it....saying we'll service one model on your drive, but not the other. Lacks consistency, imo.
 
But then again, I'm just a grease monkey....marketing etc is nothing to do with me. I'm sure they've calculated everything, and deem it a viable idea, so good luck to them.
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Ah V2D3 my friend, you always leave any discussion with such a warm fuzzy feeling - you’re a certifiable ray of sunshine!

I noticed that you don’t have a profile picture. What about this one🤣?!

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Stephen.
This is how I picture your happiness with TVS.

I make factual statements and I asked legit questions.

Why did they not allow anyone at the last factory open house a chance for rides?

And I’ll also inform you that I did email and message Norton on Instagram asking what their Terms and Conditions are. I know I’m not eligible in the states, but I’m curious to know as to what the T&C are since they didn’t include the fine print.

I doubt TVS is going to deliver a bike for test rides hours away from their headquarters, or for just one person per delivery. How long are these test rides going to be for?
Do you have to be a serious buyer and not a tire kicker?
Do you have to place any money down?
 

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Stu Bodycote said:
As far as I'm aware, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Ducati etc don't come to your home. Kwikfit and Specsavers I really wouldn't put in the premium brand category.
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Lambo and McLaren both come to my pal’s house when they need servicing. Collected on a low loader though ;)
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Agreed, I’m pretty sure that a dealer network (at home and abroad) is pretty high on their priority list and rightly so.
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I still see TVS Norton doing what Tesla does and not using a dealership. And in my neck of the woods, Tesla only has one local service shop.

I see teslas at this service shop with license plates 2-3 states away.
 
Flatspot said:
Lambo and McLaren both come to my pal’s house when they need servicing. Collected on a low loader though ;)
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Haha well, most places offer a C&D service....bit different to a technician scratting on your gravel driveway looking for an m5 bolt he dropped 😆
 

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