961 is back !

Stu Bodycote said:
I'm not too fussed tbh. Yes it's cost me around £200 in time and fuel, but it was pissing it down, so it was a bonus that I didn't have to get wet. I was really only road testing it for you lot. I'm kinda gutted that I didn't get to try out my camera though. Never had a camera on my helmet before....so was looking forward to that.
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It’s the principle matter and lack of courtesy. They could have notified you in advance.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
Well guys, I tried. Second booking was made, I even bought a camera for my helmet for the occasion. Road test was booked for this morning at 11am. I turned up with plenty of time to spare...but was turned away at the security barrier. Apparently security were told not to let me on site. Security had this info on the 14th March, but no one from sales thought to email me.
To be honest, I'm kinda glad...its raining and I hate riding in the rain. Down side being by the time I get home, I would have wasted two and a half hours of my time.
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Hi Stu , Looks like somebody from Norton are watching this site ? And afraid that you may report bad news ? They can't stand on their own merits , you probably would have reported good news . This is really low level disgusting .
 
Stu Bodycote said:
I'm not too fussed tbh. Yes it's cost me around £200 in time and fuel, but it was pissing it down, so it was a bonus that I didn't have to get wet. I was really only road testing it for you lot. I'm kinda gutted that I didn't get to try out my camera though. Never had a camera on my helmet before....so was looking forward to that.
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Hi Stu , Could it all be down to the rain ? Could Norton have cancelled all test rides because of the rain ? Maybe they didn't pick you out of the line up ?
 
Stu Bodycote said:
Well guys, I tried. Second booking was made, I even bought a camera for my helmet for the occasion. Road test was booked for this morning at 11am. I turned up with plenty of time to spare...but was turned away at the security barrier. Apparently security were told not to let me on site. Security had this info on the 14th March, but no one from sales thought to email me.
To be honest, I'm kinda glad...its raining and I hate riding in the rain. Down side being by the time I get home, I would have wasted two and a half hours of my time.
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Well.... obviously Norton didn't want someone riding their 961 who knows what they're talkin about, and would tell the TRUTH about the bike.... you must not be on their payroll Stu...... to be honest this has done me a big favour.. i was really looking forward to what you had to say, as i have been SO close to ordering one.... thanks Norton, you've made my mind up and saved me a few quid... but i kind of hate you for this...:mad:
 
There's plenty of the Norton team on here....always was, even in the Donington days. Same with FB, they're on there too....I can see who they are via the admin portal.
I was geared up to give an honest but positive review....it wouldn't have been in my interests to give a negative and unjust review. But its ok....I'll get a ride on one eventually, doesn't really matter. I've not needed Norton for anything for the past few years....well actually that's a lie, a mate did place an order with them for me, for some Domi parts for my build, back when Marie was still there in Dec 2020, little bits and bobs that none of dealers had. But apart from that, I dont need to build a nice relationship with them....but it would have been great to have done so. So instead of me flying the flag with the new font, I'll just have to fly the flag for the old font...which kinda cements what bikes I'm interested in anyhow 🙂
Still wish them the best though, still hope to see them at the TT again.
On another note....thats my next planned build project....a replica of the SG5 TT bike 😎
 
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Fast Eddie said:
That’s shit behaviour.

It’s bad enough blacklisting you, given your profile here, FB, NOC, in fact, it’s plain stupid.

But to blacklist you AND NOT TELL YOU! WTF? Some kind of sick game ??

What on earth are they hoping to achieve by this ?

Come on Stephen… let’s hear your ‘optimistic’ defence / explanation…
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Calling BS on that rather juvenile comment FE. I didn’t turn Stu away from the gate, so you might want to aim your frustration elsewhere!

I call it how I see it. Which is balanced, constructive and hopeful when we’re in an information vacuum, rather than the dross, repetitive negativity that often pervades on this site - seek to explain things when we don’t have information and criticise when we do, where necessary!

If they have asked Stu for his name and then turned him away from a (booked) test ride then that is inexcusable. At the very least Stu, you should attempt to find out what happened.
 
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Stephen_Spencer said:
Calling BS on that rather juvenile comment FE. I didn’t turn Stu away from the gate, so you might want to aim your frustration elsewhere!

I call it how I see it. Which is balanced, constructive and hopeful when we’re in an information vacuum, rather than the shite, repetitive negativity that often pervades on this site - seek to explain things when we don’t have information and criticise when we do, where necessary!

If they have asked Stu for his name and then turned him away from a (booked) test ride then that is inexcusable. At the very least Stu, you should attempt to find out what happened.
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Your optimism gets tiring when you can’t handle facts Stephen. That’s the point we’re making. You always and I mean always defend every step TVS makes.

You are most definitely entitled to your opinions, but when myself or others say anything negative or give our honest views of TVS, you’re quick to defend them and will almost literally die trying.

This is the second time TVS black listed Stu.
It’s clear it’s because of his former employment and knowledge of Donington and the 961.
 
I'm honestly not fussed. The only bit that is annoying is my name was put down as not allowed on site three weeks ago...so they had plenty of time to let me know. Time is precious when you work two jobs and have a young family...so I prefer not to waste it.
But moving on, I'm sure we'll get some real life owners feedback starting to trickle through soon.
It seems to me, without riding one, that they've probably made it ride as good as a well sorted euro 4 bike ie one where everything fell just right out of Doningtons doors....but with some extensive long term reliability testing thrown into the mix. If that's the case, then great...many more 961 happy owners.
Half the problem with old Norton was quality consistency.....this is proven on social media where someone will say it was the worst bike he had ever owned, always broken....but then another guy saying his was perfect, never failed. The other problem was if say a shitty relay failed...it would go back to Norton, and they'd replace that shitty relay with another shitty relay. If they've made it now reliable, then we'll start to get good feedback from customers....and sales will most probably start to snow ball, they may even get some people back who had a previous bad experience with a 961, but still loved the look. At present I think people are just being cautious with parting with their money, which is understandable.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
If they've made it now reliable, then we'll start to get good feedback from customers....and sales will most probably start to snow ball, they may even get some people back who had a previous bad experience with a 961, but still loved the look. At present I think people are just being cautious with parting with their money, which is understandable.
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Exactly!
But still, they should have at least offered you tea and crumpets, or a Guinness for your effort getting there.
Very thoughtless indeed.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
The only bit that is annoying is my name was put down as not allowed on site three weeks ago...so they had plenty of time to let me know. Time is precious when you work two jobs and have a young family...so I prefer not to waste it
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That is really crap for Norton to do this . What they should have done is embraced him and shown him everything that they improved . Norton could have come out a shinning star but instead a black eye for them .
 
Voodooo said:
Your optimism gets tiring when you can’t handle facts Stephen. That’s the point we’re making. You always and I mean always defend every step TVS makes.

You are most definitely entitled to your opinions, but when myself or others say anything negative or give our honest views of TVS, you’re quick to defend them and will almost literally die trying.

This is the second time TVS black listed Stu.
It’s clear it’s because of his former employment and knowledge of Donington and the 961.
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With respect, a lazy mischaracterisation if you don’t mind me saying Voodoo. Please feel free to look at the language, rationale and intent to the vast majority of my posts. I’ll take a constructive, balanced outlook every time, in the absence of ‘facts’ (of which we mostly had none) as you call them above.

Tiring optimism? As tiring as relentless negativity my friend? Take a quick look at your contributions to thread ‘Nrew Norton Dealerships’ - did‘nt have to look far for an example. My favourite is post #80, where you switch seamlessly from one negative focus (TVS has missed the boat) to another (the plummeting resale value of 961’s) - how many such examples would you like me to provide to you - 5, 10, 20?

Mate that is tiring, and why you often see me purposefully challenging your narrative - that is literally why we’ve butted heads so often, because at best I believe this negativity slows/or derails conversations, at worst it drives people away from the forum (my opinion only)

Your involvement in all conversations that become combative (name calling sometimes included) I’ll leave for others to interpret.
 
Voodoo

No need in my opinion. This is an open forum, which encourages broad and respectful debate. I guess those debates are generally going to be book-ended by different views.

Maybe you and I will find ourselves towards opposite ends - our views don’t need to be complimentary. If we have opposing views (or even butt heads) then so be it. If we were all in agreeance, it would be a pretty dull forum.

Your call on your ‘ignore’ function. I’m gonna continue putting my views forward as I see fit - learning some stuff from the technical guys, enjoying members stories and pictures of their riding adventures.
 
One of the new dealers is Via Moto in Sheffield who have a bike for demo rides (according to ebay.co.uk) so you may care to contact them Stu.
I called in there on Monday - TVS had been last Friday to set it all up - 3 x 961 bikes on display, all black.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I can relate to that. I’ve owned one new Norton, ordered a second (that they dropped), was interested in a naked V4 (until they showed it!) and… still find myself looking at new 961s and pondering the idea.

But shenanigans like this seriously put me off.
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At least we didn't lose a bomb on the Superlight Nigel......
 
regental said:
One of the new dealers is Via Moto in Sheffield who have a bike for demo rides (according to ebay.co.uk) so you may care to contact them Stu.
I called in there on Monday - TVS had been last Friday to set it all up - 3 x 961 bikes on display, all black.
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Hello Reg , Can you supply some photos if not too much trouble ? When you get a chance that is.
 
You know, I really enjoy the commentary from both @Voodooo and @Stephen_Spencer - you really do mostly present as two sides of ultimately the same coin.

Sometimes ignoring what someone says and looking at actions is all that is needed. Rhetoric aside, You both invest time and money in the bikes. You wouldn't if you didn't want too.
 
Interesting that Norton Birmingham is offering this customisation. Frame colour? Can’t imagine a different frame colour option; maybe they mean finish type? Choose the level of polish on the casings I like - polish it until it rivals the surface of the sun please sir; more bling baby yeh!!

Don’t mind the ‘no pinstripe’ option shown below either, for a less traditional look. No bikini fairing option is a bit of a mystery though - prefer the look with rather than without.

Let’s see how responsive they are with this tank removal faux pas. That needs an engineering fix pretty quickly, otherwise they’re just compounding the problem as they continue to push bikes out of the factory.

961 is back !

961 is back !
 
Fast Eddie said:
Where’s that from Stephen ?

That’s a cool customisation flexibility they’re offering. I’m surprised by that to be honest.

IMHO I prefer the raw alloy engine and I also prefer the seat sans stripes (as per my 2018 Donington bike).

I owner if they‘d also do black forks ?
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Straight off the website FE and contrary to what some of the bike journos have been saying. I’ve heard polished wheel option only for the Cafe Racer for example - which just didn’t make sense.

The Norton website has had a bit of an update over past few weeks. Don’t know how long the customisation option detail has been in play, but the more the better IMO when you‘re paying that amount of yer hard earned!

Not sure about the forks. Always preferred the black and gold livery, so the gold forks would be my choice every time - horses for courses though! That said, silver has the edge with the ally tank fitted - a more coherent colour scheme than black with ally tank IMO.
 
 

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