NEW 916 PART TWO

Richard Barks

Joined
Apr 14, 2006
Messages
146
Statement of Fact.
I have never extolled the virtues of the VR 880 i owned .
The bike i have waxed lyrical about is Build 52 CNW Norton i shipped here to the UK 3 Years ago ,
and is still as good as the day i unpacked it from the crate., Even with with srong dollar ( then ) plus air freight charges tax
and V.A.T Registration cost's etc etc etc is was and still is worth every penny and all the hassle involved IE $24000 Turns into $36000, in fact i would go as far to say if you live in the states those bike's are bargains
It's people like like me and others who buy these machines old or new help promote the Norton name worldwide .
All 3 Nortons the VR 888. CNW Norton and the soon to be delivered Caf'e Racer have Appeared in Bike Publications all good PR
for the Norton name new and old.
As for Kenny let's say he was a victim of circumstance , and he again did the the Norton name a First class sevice with his valiant efforts, as for his VR 880 it was a vital link in the chain to the new Norton, recognised at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham (uk) at their Norton Story stand where it now languishes sold to them by me ( at a loss i may add ).
and if i may be permitted a sly stab it's a British Bike after all..............
Richard Barks
 
Okay, if you never extolled the VIRTUES of the 880, was it due to a LACK of virtues, a list of VICES, or some combination of the two?

(just curious)

P.S. My understanding of the 880s history is that, as a model, it was never really "set" at any point in it's development history; so every example is unique and incorporated some level of prototype componentry. If that is indeed the case, I would think that everyone purchasing one would have to understand what they were getting into and deal with it accordingly.
 
Richard, if you have the spare cash and inclination, good luck to you!

I have had a look at the CNW website on more than one occasiona and do want to build something myself as some of the bikes they have done do look the business. the corbin seat looks the part on the commando, and it is the detail bits (like no visible wiring) that complete a bike in my opinion. Looks easy but isn't!
The Uk market is all about cafe racers or standard rebuildsas i have yet to see a 'customised ' Norton here. But each to their own.

You going to ride it to Donningtonin June?
 
Nortons have actually been on sale to the general public for a while now!

However it would appear that several extensive modifications have been made to the new 961 since those early models were first introduced!: http://www.squiffles.co.uk/norton_prams.htm

The modifications may at least explain the reason for the hefty price increase?
 

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Changing all the "916"s to "961"s has taken longer than expected, and with much greater cost than anticipated or budgeted for. Malingerers such as Richard do nothing to help the situation...
 
grandpaul said:
Changing all the "916"s to "961"s has taken longer than expected, and with much greater cost than anticipated or budgeted for. Malingerers such as Richard do nothing to help the situation...
Click to expand...

It was noticed a wee while ago , if I was buying a 16000 bike , I'd know which model!!! :lol:

Edit postReport this postReply with quote Re: NEW 916 COMMANDO
by rbt11548 » Thu May 28, 2009 7:11 am

These 916's sound really rare, will the 961's be more common? :shock:

In all seriousness that is some price to pay for a bike that is untried in public ownership, no matter what the reasons for buying it. I know all the R&D tests will have been done etc. but it is usually when they go into the public domain with everyday usage that certain faults are highlighted. To be honest I was considering one myself but when reading various mag and paper reports believed the price to be a good bit lower. If I could pay that kind of cash I think I would have a look at a CNW machine.
As for the Monster , I have a wee soft spot for the machine, I think it looks good and it is a bit distinctive like a Commando.
As we so often say in this forum "it's your bike", and I wish Richard all the best to ride it.rbt11548
 
swooshdave said:
It's an ongoing typo, should be 961.
Click to expand...

Probably trying to correct the naming of the Commando as an 850 when it was actually 828cc. 850 - 828 = 22, 961 - 916 = 45... take 22 coumpounded at 2% per year should yied 45 :lol:

Jean
 
Have been watching progress on the 961 with interest, this thread is the first time i have seen a price.
Given all the fruit these have i expected it would not be cheap - 16k pounds equates to around $40k in NZ. Thats equal to one of the higher spec Ducati 1198's here - which is a bit rich for me but if i could afford it i would have the Norton over the 1198.
Not that i expect the new Nortons will ever be a cheap bike but hopefully everything goes well and a more affordable (lower spec) version follows.
Best of luck with the purchase Richard.
 
Richard Barks said:
Statement of Fact.
I have never extolled the virtues of the VR 880 i owned .
The bike i have waxed lyrical about is Build 52 CNW Norton i shipped here to the UK 3 Years ago ,
and is still as good as the day i unpacked it from the crate., Even with with srong dollar ( then ) plus air freight charges tax
and V.A.T Registration cost's etc etc etc is was and still is worth every penny and all the hassle involved IE $24000 Turns into $36000, in fact i would go as far to say if you live in the states those bike's are bargains
It's people like like me and others who buy these machines old or new help promote the Norton name worldwide .
All 3 Nortons the VR 888. CNW Norton and the soon to be delivered Caf'e Racer have Appeared in Bike Publications all good PR
for the Norton name new and old.
As for Kenny let's say he was a victim of circumstance , and he again did the the Norton name a First class sevice with his valiant efforts, as for his VR 880 it was a vital link in the chain to the new Norton, recognised at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham (uk) at their Norton Story stand where it now languishes sold to them by me ( at a loss i may add ).
and if i may be permitted a sly stab it's a British Bike after all..............
Richard Barks
Click to expand...


#52 is one of my favourites shown on their site. Nice bike!
 
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