New Norton 961

I checked 961al bike. Nice and seems all sorted. It’s an early model and to be upfront it ain’t that far off the price of a new one!
Don’t get me wrong I like the spec but it’s an early model!!!
Then again I get that most issues have been sorted and money spent on the bike!!!
All this really fry’s my brain!!!
Second hand, brand new, limited edition, number 7 of 200???
Remapping after 500 miles? De cat pipes?? Surely this is what the factory should be doing right from the getgo??? Why buy and then spend a shed load of more money to get it right?
Rich.
 
Remapping after 500 miles? De cat pipes?? Surely this is what the factory should be doing right from the getgo??? Why buy and then spend a shed load of more money to get it right?

Rich, the factory produce a EURO4 compliant machine, complete with catalytic converter and a fuel map to suit. The fact that the factory offer a full aftermarket decat system with associated fuel map is a big bonus, a bigger bonus is that this transforms the bike. Yes that comes at an additional cost (was included free on the anniversary bikes). Triumph don't offer that ;)
 
It’s a bit like buying a Harley where they’re strangled so much to meet regs that its basically necessary to ‘liberate’ them to get them running as they should.

Actually you do not need to wait 500 miles before de cat etc, you could get your dealer to do it from the get go.

I don’t understand your question marks against “number 7 of 200”. Norton have, and continue to, make various Ltd edition bikes. If the added ‘specialness’ appeals to you then it’s worth a few quid, if not, well, it’s not.

Make sure you’re comparing apples with apples when you say a used bike is “almost as much as a new one” as there are different models, specs, and many options. It’s quite easy to spec a new one up to over £20k!
 
Met a bloke recently who had purchased a new triumph thruxton. He had to fix the breathing as well.
 
I checked 961al bike. Nice and seems all sorted. It’s an early model and to be upfront it ain’t that far off the price of a new one!
Don’t get me wrong I like the spec but it’s an early model!!!
Then again I get that most issues have been sorted and money spent on the bike!!!
All this really fry’s my brain!!!
Second hand, brand new, limited edition, number 7 of 200???
Remapping after 500 miles? De cat pipes?? Surely this is what the factory should be doing right from the getgo??? Why buy and then spend a shed load of more money to get it right?
Rich.
I would say it really is up to you as to how much money you want to spend.... a new Mk2 modified to how it should be/run with a few other little extras would be well over 20K as Eddie stated...AND would probably STILL have problems to iron out... A much modified low mileage mint MK1 (mine :)) would cost you approx 7K less (thats a LOT less) ....and has passed through the problem stage.... take another CLOSE look... ;)...regards, AL.
 
a new Mk2 modified to how it should be/run with a few other little extras would be well over 20K as Eddie stated...

I don't think that FE was implying that a MK2 would, merely could, mine certainly wasn't anywhere near that ;)
 
I don't think that FE was implying that a MK2 would, merely could, mine certainly wasn't anywhere near that ;)

Yes and no Mark... yours did not cost that and neither did mine... but IF they had not been Anniversary Editions and IF we had specced them up to that same spec ourselves, they would have !

Although if I had specced mine myself, I’m not sure I’d have invested in a chrome sidestand!

I guess that realistically, a new mk2 cafe racer with a few common accessories (open pipes, decat, re map, a few carbon bits, etc) would be £17.5-£18k.
 
Hi I am new to the norton too, bought a naked at the end of last year, only managed to take it out a couple of times so far as I will only ride it in the dry, I also have a Customised Ducati GT1000. I love the look of the clip ons but like most, getting a bit too old for that so I am converting mine to flat bars. First opinions are my ducati is more comfortable, quicker, easier to ride, that said I love the look and sound of the norton, I have open megaphones on it, I am not worried about going too quick, the bike feels very planted and still getting used to the wide foot rests, love it
 
Ok no need to keep banging on about it all you smug 50th anniversary owners with your fully loaded bikes unlike me who bought my bike a year before!

I heard from a man in the pub who knows about these things that they actually offloaded a test batch of sub-standard foreign Japanese monkey metal accessories which means your bikes will drop to bits in the next few months.
 
Yes and no Mark... yours did not cost that and neither did mine... but IF they had not been Anniversary Editions and IF we had specced them up to that same spec ourselves, they would have !

Although if I had specced mine myself, I’m not sure I’d have invested in a chrome sidestand!

I guess that realistically, a new mk2 cafe racer with a few common accessories (open pipes, decat, re map, a few carbon bits, etc) would be £17.5-£18k.


You got a chrome side stand ?
wierd, I didn't on my Cali (not bothered but it's probably more in keeping with the bike than on a CR)
Maybe they'd run out out of em and were just using what they had
Now-- what does that remind you of ? :)
sam
 
Blimey Sam, you should take it back!

I suppose in fairness, Donington should be applauded for using VERY authentic ‘retro manufacturing’ processes. JIT is the buzzword these days from Japanese manufacturing (Just In Time) but Donington are using the authentic British FWWG method (Fit Wot We Got).

Here’s my ‘king of bling’ sidestand just to wind you up...

New Norton 961
 
Just remember to keep it greased sir. Even though you are only on occasional rider ;) second only to the embarrassingly petulant 'I'm not starting with all these people looking at me' is the arrival at your destination to find that the side stand has seized up and not even an inner thigh muscle toned from years of horse riding can shift it. You are then stuck on the bike like an inverted turtle until someone can rescue you, unless you want to risk jumping off and trying to catch it before it topples....
 
Just remember to keep it greased sir. Even though you are only on occasional rider ;) second only to the embarrassingly petulant 'I'm not starting with all these people looking at me' is the arrival at your destination to find that the side stand has seized up and not even an inner thigh muscle toned from years of horse riding can shift it. You are then stuck on the bike like an inverted turtle until someone can rescue you, unless you want to risk jumping off and trying to catch it before it topples....

No fear Clive...

I’m a firm believer that regular greasing helps to keep it shiny, strong, and upright...
 
Hi I am new to the norton too, bought a naked at the end of last year, only managed to take it out a couple of times so far as I will only ride it in the dry, I also have a Customised Ducati GT1000. I love the look of the clip ons but like most, getting a bit too old for that so I am converting mine to flat bars. First opinions are my ducati is more comfortable, quicker, easier to ride, that said I love the look and sound of the norton, I have open megaphones on it, I am not worried about going too quick, the bike feels very planted and still getting used to the wide foot rests, love it

Hello David , It looks like the Norton only wins in the looks department then ?
 
Met a bloke recently who had purchased a new triumph thruxton. He had to fix the breathing as well.
He's BS ING you, or more than likely Bsing himself, as we tend to do with these " improvements"

People do all sorts to them and claim great things but none of it that I've seen is backed up by dyno. One operator who has a dyno and has tried out quite a few of the claimed power mods has debunked pretty well all of it.
You can drop the cat for an open x pipe and get a little bit of hp, knock off 5lbs and add some sound. The airbox is good as is, the silencers are already open through.
Stock map works fine with the Decat.
But really , out of the box 3 seconds zero to 60 mphand 3 seconds top gear roll on 60-80, ( quicker than Aprilia V4 Factory) why mess with it other than for more sound, if you want it? Most backyard tuners will just slow them down and claim they've improved it.
I've had a Decat sitting here for a year, but I'm not sure it's going to get fitted.
I use the bike on a lot of long distance stuff.
A loud bike that rips your ears off can be tiring after 6 or 8 hours and 4-500 miles.
Must be getting old!


Glen
 
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Yes and no Mark... yours did not cost that and neither did mine... but IF they had not been Anniversary Editions and IF we had specced them up to that same spec ourselves, they would have !

Although if I had specced mine myself, I’m not sure I’d have invested in a chrome sidestand!

I guess that realistically, a new mk2 cafe racer with a few common accessories (open pipes, decat, re map, a few carbon bits, etc) would be £17.5-£18k.

Some of the extra 'spec' was polished this and that, not really a necessary upgrade for any future owner. Other extra 'spec' was for hand levers and bar-ends, again a new owner could readily get non-factory bits if they wanted and for a lot less.

There has been a new unregistered Mk2 cafe anniv. on mcn past few days and at the original price, I presume it's legit.

Chrome side stand is an absolute must have by the way :)
 
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