Another new 961 cafe owner checking in

Joined
Oct 14, 2014
Messages
21
Hey guys. I took possession of my bike a month ago. I can't say how happy I am to not be one of the horror stories. I love this thing. I have the same small complaints like the pegs, turning radious in the parking lot, nothing bad. I thought I had an oil leak from the drain plug but that magically stopped(yes it still has oil in it). I guess my biggest complaint is the extreme lean map. First start is like trying to start a poorly tuned carbed bike. It's pretty embarrassing considering the crowds it draws. I'm still in break in period so I can't stretch it out on the highway which is killing me. So far all is pretty well.
I've read and heard at the first Maintenace(500mile) there is a standard remap to fix the lean issue. Any truth to this?
 
Foster, Hi and welcome to the forum. Whereabouts in the world are you? The UK bikes have access to dealers with remapping software and the free flowing exhausts, both of which make a massive difference after those horrible first 500 miles. I understand other countries don't have the remaps as yet, although I heard that they may be in Canadian dealers soon?

Enjoy the bike, just get the running in done as quickly and painlessly as possible....!
 
Thanks Dozer! I'm in Ft Worth Texas. You're correct about the gear to remap. My dealer can and doesn't know when they will be able to remap due to Norton being a bit flakey on dealer support. In their defense they have been quick to provide parts for warranty.
I'm leaning towards a motec ecu in the future via my motorsports motec tuning genius friends. It will be a while though. With the worries of warranty work I'm slow I pull that trigger. I would like to make a run at bonnevile speed week in the next year or so as well. For now, break in miles and chit chatting with strangers every time I go out on this thing. I'm shocked at the attention it gets from bike guys to non bike folks. I've never had so many conversations at traffic lights...
 
I just completed the first service on my 961SF and the dealer said they had heard nothing of any remap for the U.S. bikes. They also pointed out that it would likely need to be different from any UK remap as the bikes need to follow different guidelines in different locations.
 
I just received an email from the Norton rep in England that is doing his best to get me a new gearbox for my US bike. He said it will have to be remapped. Sure hope they send the software to the statesif that's the case. I really appreciate this guy stepping in to help since I'm getting zero from my dealership. Its reassuring when somebody responds.
 
Britfan60 said:
I just received an email from the Norton rep in England that is doing his best to get me a new gearbox for my US bike. He said it will have to be remapped. Sure hope they send the software to the statesif that's the case. I really appreciate this guy stepping in to help since I'm getting zero from my dealership. Its reassuring when somebody responds.

Britfan,

That's great.
Sounds like someone is actually home at the Norton factory.

If they do send the EFI tune software, I'd appreciate a shout out. My CR needs a remap too.
 
It does seem as if contacting Norton gets answers quicker. I think for some reason they are leaving dealerships in the dark. The US maps vs Euro maps seems completely logical too. I know enough about air fuel and spark to be dangerous.
FYI I've had a few back and forth emails with Norton UK on the tunning. I believe it was 5 maps available. Each one for different exhaust options with or without cats,short, long and so on. There's Also a domiracer tune. I contacted speacialist components (makers of the ecu ) and discussed the possibility of their aftermarket software tuning the norton ecu, they said it will not and were very short with me.I've contacted the handful of aftermarket tuner companies and they all say the same which is not going to happen due to small norton production numbers. All that considered , I'll go with a Motec and have endless tuning and possibilities.
 
Foster961 said:
It does seem as if contacting Norton gets answers quicker. I think for some reason they are leaving dealerships in the dark. The US maps vs Euro maps seems completely logical too. I know enough about air fuel and spark to be dangerous.
FYI I've had a few back and forth emails with Norton UK on the tunning. I believe it was 5 maps available. Each one for different exhaust options with or without cats,short, long and so on. There's Also a domiracer tune. I contacted speacialist components (makers of the ecu ) and discussed the possibility of their aftermarket software tuning the norton ecu, they said it will not and were very short with me.I've contacted the handful of aftermarket tuner companies and they all say the same which is not going to happen due to small norton production numbers. All that considered , I'll go with a Motec and have endless tuning and possibilities.

Foster961

Hi and welcome to the forum. I am also a new owner of a 961 SF and live in Florida. Great info in your post. I am assuming that the Motec reference is for a company that produces a different ECU that will allow the owner (if competent) to do their own remapping. I am really worried about updating my bike after exhaust changes, especially when the nearest dealer is over 900 miles away.

I might need Norton UK assistance in the future. Would it be possible for you to send a private message with email contact info for Norton UK.

Thanks
John
 
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