New Norton 961

ILLF8ED

ILLF8ED

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Just met Dan van Epps, Norton USA CEO, at the International Motorcycle Show, San Mateo, Ca. There is one Euro version 961 Cafe Racer on display. I asked Dan when the new Norton will be on sale in North America..."next year" - hummmmmm.
One guy that stopped by the club display said he had put a $500 deposit on one. Think I'm a bit skeptical after Melling, Kenny and now Garner.

By the way this is Commando related....says 961 Commando on the side cover.
 
If they don't have the finance to buy parts to churn out lots of bikes, and don't have approval for the US market, which costs $$, then they are in a tricky situation. ?

However, unlike some previous startup efforts they do actually have a bike they are manufacturing, and have happy customers to prove it.
Which is very different to a vaporware product.

Q. How do you make a small fortune out of motorcycle manufacturing ?
A. Invest a large fortune in it...
 
One of my favorite lines from Richard Branson, someone asked him how to become a Millionaire in the airline-business and his response was:

"that's easy, start with a Billion dollars"

I wish Norton all the luck in the world, but I am afraid it will not help.

Vince
 
I saw that at the show too and took a photo...but the quality is not so good. The traditional paint scheme looked great in person...

New Norton 961
 
bluto said:
I saw that at the show too and took a photo...but the quality is not so good. The traditional paint scheme looked great in person...

So did you stop by the Northern California Norton Owners Club display in booth 462? We have two Commandos a '61 Model 50 and a '57 Model 19.
Click to expand...
 
bluto said:
I saw that at the show too and took a photo...but the quality is not so good. The traditional paint scheme looked great in person...

New Norton 961
Click to expand...


For some reason, that front fender isn't that appealing. Looks backwards & too short. Rest of the bike is somewhat appealing & could grow on me in time.
 
illf8ed said:
bluto said:
I saw that at the show too and took a photo...but the quality is not so good. The traditional paint scheme looked great in person...

So did you stop by the Northern California Norton Owners Club display in booth 462? We have two Commandos a '61 Model 50 and a '57 Model 19.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

dang, I did not know it was there, would have checked it out for sure...FWIW was a NCNOC member waaay back in 1976 when I lived in S.F. and had my first Commando, now live up in the north bay so I ride with the BSA club since a lot of their events are local
 
I saw it too Saturday in San Mateo .... I know I do not want one but I must appreciate the work done to arrive there. The IMS show is going down year after year: from 5 halls down to 2... Only Pakistani leathers, cheap accessories and insurance brokers.,, a beautiful Gold Star to win for $1.00 on the BSA club booth and a couple of interesting customs and that's it! Not even a Ural stand!!!!
Philippe
 
Back in the early 90's I lived in SF and rode with the BSA club on my Thunderbolt. Glad to hear they are still going strong.
 
I was also there on Saturday. I have a $3000 deposit on an SE and this was the first time I actually saw a 961 in person. I was told I could expect my bike in 2012, and that Monroe Motors here in the SF Bay area would be the dealer I would be getting my bike from. Good news for me, easier to pick the bike up than from the LA area. I was told I could get my deposit back if I wanted it, but I said I would rather wait for the bike. I have a friend who waited four years for an MV Agusta, and is happy he did, so I guess three years for a Norton won't be that bad.
 
Terry, good going on ordering one, I wish I would have.

I think the new Norton is beautiful and will be a torquey thrill to ride.

If I could buy one right now, I would.

Side by side in my garage, my 73 850 and a new 961 would be terrific.

You did the right thing, got your order in and are in line, good on ya!
 
That Metisse looks nice Les, although setting the price at 18,000 pounds when other retro machines are available for less than 10,000 seems a bit over-optimistic. This whole Steve Mqueen hype is getting a bit much, soon his face will be appearing on digestive biscuits and bird-seed packets! I think his estate is in danger of diluting the mystique in exchange for a quick buck.
 
It's a criticism of both on pricing and a general criticism on over-exposure of Steve Mqueen's image.
 
Well, if you think you've seen it all- BMW are now jumping on the Steve Mcqueen bandwaggon, too. Didn't know he ever actually RODE a BMW. But I am sure something can be constructed with pictures of Steve and Photoshop!
I am sure his estate gets rather more out of BMW than they get out of Metisse Motorcycles.
 
I think he rode a BMW in the first bike scenes in The Great Escape, before Bud Ekins took over on the Triumph for the jump over the fence. I suppose it's a more valid endorsement than curry sauce and feminine deodorant!
 
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