norton news (long)

goo

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Norton News - Issue No. 1 - 2012 a publication of Norton Motorcycles USA Inc.












Dear Norton Fans

Welcome to the first 2012 issue of Norton News, sent to all Norton fans from the USA who have inquired about Norton Motorcycles by sending a request for information to info@nortonmotorcycles.com or infousa@nortonmotorcycles.com . This issue will update you on the four most FAQ's, recent news about Norton and the IMS 2012 shows. For those of you who are recieving Norton News for the first time, welcome to the family.

The Norton Motorcycles USA Team

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2012 Norton Cafe Racer travels around the nation



Stop by the Dream Pavillion at the International Motorcycles Shows this year and

throw a leg over a 2012 Norton Commando 961 Cafe Racer. Dealer and factory

representatives will be at most shows to answer all of your questions.



•November 18-20, 2011, San Mateo County Event Center - San Mateo, CA
•December 2-4, 2011, Dallas Convention Center - Dallas, TX
•December 9-11, 2011, Long Beach Convention Center - Long Beach, CA
•December 16-18, 2011, Washington State Convention Center - Seattle, WA
•January 6-8, 2012, Suburban Collection Showplace - Novi, MI
•January 13-15, 2012, Washington Convention Center - Washington D.C.
•January 20-22, 2012, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center - New York, NY
•January 27-29, 2012, I-X Center - Cleveland, OH
•February 3-5, 2012, Minneapolis Convention Center - Minneapolis, MN
•February 10-12, 2012, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center - Chicago, IL
•February 24-26, 2012, Charlotte Convention Center - Charlotte, NC




Norton Commando 961 Cafe Racer






















Top FAQ's from U.S. riders - update



Where is my local dealer?





We continue to add great new dealers nationwide, but we are proceeding conservatively to ensure that we partner with only the very best dealers who understand the high level of service and authenticity that Norton owners expect and deserve. Here are your newest norton Dealers:

FalconePowersports Indianappolis, IN www.falconeps.com 317-803-2432 gtomey@falconeps.com

Gold Coast Motorsports New Hyde Park, NY www.goldcoast-motorsports.com 516-352-7474 avi@goldcoast-motorsports.com

GP Motorcycles San Diego, CA www.gpmotorcycles.com 619-233-4762 info@gpmotorcycles.com

MCC Motor cycle Center Villa Park, IL www.teammcc.com 630-782-2010 info@teammcc.com

Munroe Motors San Francisco, CA www.munroemotors.com 510-276-3525 nick@munroemotors.com

RPM Cycle Dallas, TX www.rpmcycletx.com 972-620-3883 alejandro@rpmcycletx.com

Trebour Motorcycles Ledgewood, NJ www.trebourmotorcycles.com 973-584-4081 skcooper@jacktrebourmotorcycles.com

South Bay Norton Lomita, CA www.southbaynorton.com 310-784-7693 sales@southbaynorton.com

Coming soon: Southern states, Mountain zones, Northwest

When can I get a bike? We are currently delivering Euro3 certified bikes in Europe and when the U.S. approval process is completed, we will begin production and shipping motorcycles, with the first approvals coming for 49 state bikes, then California models about 60 days later. Our forecast is for Commando 961 solo seat models to begin arriving near the end of spring and early summer, and dual seat models in the fall, The first bikes will be delivered to clients who have a deposit with their dealer.

How much do they cost?

Suggested introductory retail price for new Norton Commando 961 models:

Sport - solo seat $16,995

Sport - dual seat $17,995

Cafe Racer - solo seat $18,995

Cafe Racer - dual seat $19,995

Can I order a 961SE?
The 961SE for the USA, which was limited to 50 examples is sold out. Currently the 961 Sport and 961 Cafe Racer are available. The most sought after feature of the SE, the carbon fiber wheels, will however be available as a Norton Accessory.

_____________________________________________________________


Testing a prototype at the Isle of Man





A lap around Donnington Park - III

Back by popular demand, this is the second repeat of our most popular article and link from the last two issues of Norton News.



Our friends over at MCN UK featured a clip that ran on the BBC of Norton's resident 'go fast guy' and former World Superbike rider Chris Walker taking a lap around the newly updated Donnington Park race circuit. Filmed just previous to the World Superbike round, five cameras were mounted to his 961 Commando and the clip offers a seldom seen rider and bike point of view of Norton's home circuit and the base of our factory. Just click on the link below and enjoy the ride!




http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/ ... EPI-129770









What else is new in the world of Norton?

For all the latest Norton news, be sure to visit our factory website:

www.nortonmotorcycles.com/news/

There you'll find what's happening at the factory, around the globe and across town.

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Norton throttle bodies with Bosch injectors

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Know a motorcyclist that will be interested in Norton News?



____________________________









Norton Vintage News

Looking for fellow vintage Norton owners, information or spares? The very best place to start is by visiting our friends at the International Norton Owners Association at http://www.inoanorton.com





Not only will you find like-minded Norton enthusiast, but a wealth of technical knowledge, vintage events, sources for spares, and tips to keep your Norton carving the twisties happily. Join the club and one of the more than 40 regional and local chapters. Chances are there is a chapter near you. Membership includes their fine quarterly magazine. Join today!

_______________________________________





Know a great dealer?

Norton owners are some of the most knowledgable experienced motorcyclists around. If you know a dealer who you think would make a great addition to the Norton family, please have them send an email expressing their interest to:

infousa@nortonmotorcycles.com

____________________________



Who is Norton Motorcycles USA?

We often receive emails from folks who think we are a dealer, and want to purchase a Norton directly from us. Norton Motorcycles USA is a direct subsidiary of Norton Motorcycles (UK) Ltd. We supply and support our U.S. dealers and sell only to our dealers.

Commando 961 Sport









Ohhh Ca-na-da

We often receive questions about Norton from fans in Canada, so we would like to introduce you to our friends at Norton Motorcycles Canada Ltd.

A click on this link: http://www.nortoncanada.ca/ will take you to their informative website. Peter Howes and his team will be happy to fill you in on Canadian dealers and bikes north of the border.
 
Once I get the Commando buttoned back up, will have to take a trip to Monroe Motors in San Francisco to see when they will have a 961 to display/sell. Thanks for the update. Maybe by this summer.
 
I know from the past posting that a lot of people here are down on the new Norton effort.

The main criticism seems to be that they took deposits for bikes and apparently mislead the buyers as to the
time table for delivery.

A secondary criticism is that Norton apparently communicated very poorly with these depositors.

These sure seem like very valid observations.

By guess is the marketing people now very much regret how they handled depositors.

Moving forward, let's hope they learned a good lesson from all that and will continue to grow, add production, pay off their loans in good fashion, provide good jobs, and be a very successful company for many many years.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ofW0mFf ... r_embedded

Five cameras , and for some reason they cant show a clean run through any one corner , the wonders of modern tecnology.
Excuse the cynical note , but if I were being cynical , Id assume they couldnt get a clean run through any one corner .

SO , remains to be seen , no meaningfull dialoge as regards the motorcycle . Ones patiance has been exceeded as regards
this .

One fixed camera , the guys head twangs , or something else . Im afraid I cant use this to impress the honda boys. :oops:

Keeping it brief . = ' superficial ' . :( :? :| Ex Digitate , chaps . Get Real . :shock:
 
Funny, he didn't say one word about the Norton. All about the track. And after the run, the camera cuts to a scooter. Maybe he did the track on the scooter.......
Stephen Hill
Victoria, Bc
 
Maybe the cops had a radar on the track.
The lap looks very sedate?
Not good advertising for a modern sports bike.
graeme
 
One of our club members had a chance to ride the new Norton recently. His regular rider is a new Bonneville.

After riding the Norton he said he would buy it in a minute if he could afford it. Right now all of his funds are going into a Slater Egli Vincent kit from the 1970s, one that was purchased and never put together.

He said the torque was amazing, his new Triumph felt anemic by comparison.

Glen
 
goo said:
Norton News - Issue No. 1 - 2012 a publication of Norton Motorcycles USA Inc.

When can I get a bike?

...and when the U.S. approval process is completed, we will begin production and shipping motorcycles, with the first approvals coming for 49 state bikes, then California models about 60 days later. Our forecast is for Commando 961 solo seat models to begin arriving near the end of spring and early summer, and dual seat models in the fall...
Click to expand...

Oopsie.

My biggest criticism of them is repeatedly announcing dates they can't possibly guarantee. Looks like they still haven't learned the lessons of very recent history and resultant bad publicity. They have no one to blame but themselves.

(You could almost copy the above announcement word for word, and just re-print it every year for the last (next?) 3 or 4 years; you might have to change the seasons mentioned, not much else.)
 
If I had invested in a deposit on the new Norton, I certainly would be P***** OFF by now and probably somewhat worried. What bad communication and marketing skills!!! In fact,does the new Norton really exist? I sure hope so, but then again....
 
SGOUD2 said:
In fact,does the new Norton really exist? I sure hope so, but then again....
Click to expand...

Sure it does. They've delivered, and are continuing to deliver bikes to buyers who put down deposits in England, albeit much more slowly than promised. The real question is if they'll survive long enough to start delivering to other countries. I hope so.

Ken
 
I thought Dreer had worked up more a sports bike performer than this production version. Its not same league to appeal to performance riddrs even if more grunt by its bigger engine than most Cdo's Wonder if there will ever be enough to support a hop up after market. Wonder if Barber's will acquire one for history?
 
According to my friend the horsepower numbers dont tell the whole story. He says the bike feels like it has endless power, handles like a dream.
And he rides a new Bonneville which is supposed to be a pretty decent bike.

Glen
 
Haveing been harranged repeatedly in the collective subconcious as regards the thing , MY view is they should throw one at
' Fast Bike ' mag , as theyre obviously lunatics , but at least have valid opinions based on their ' useage ' . Presumeably its
unbreakable with the rev limiter , almost . ?

An authentic fang , HARD around a track , would give evidence of its characteristics . Im intrested in seeing for myself ,
not someones ' impressions ' going for a put . " Do They try and Kill You " was a oft repeated query regarding ' new models '
regarding their behavior at the limits . The British Stuff had a reputation for looking after the rider , if he gave it half a chance. breeding .

My ' other opinions ' , is the Triumph T bird looks like a lawn mower or golfcart offshoot . Hineous . Id be inclined to ask someone to remove it , if they parked it in the drive .A large piece of ? that specialises in mediocraty .What doe it do
exceptionally ?
Sell ! ? :lol:
No accounting for taste . The well heeled are whos going to be buying them . A few years to filter down to the ' lunatic fringe ' , whos concers* are more the roadholding atributes and characteristics . So far weve SEEN NOTHING , as far as that
GOES . However , like the triumph , theryll be plenty of mugs round prepared to by them , If they can get one .

* a n in there somewhere , perhaps . :wink:

What grates with both is the Legend was borne out by the substance , in days of old .All the hype on the planet isnt going to
convince ME of anything .
IF I can see it doing it , i'll be convinced . Of read the erstwhile opinions of said lunatics , If the Factory hasnt got a
' demonstator ' in the public face , How about the I.o.M. , the traditional ' proveing ground ' Has it got the goods ?

A 110 mph lap would be a mediocre target , attainable with gearing & quater fairing . If its any good .THAT is what we want to know .( the tracks a lot flater smoother and refined in parts than when Thruxto Motosickles got a 107 lap on their 850 PR I believe , THREE bleedy DECADES ago . :shock: 8) )

Some of us , :?: Anyway . :lol: . Like listening to polititions , hearing P.R. spiel ; hope its more reliable . :mrgreen:

The point being , if someone drops a unexpected corner in front of you , is it going to tie itself up in knots & spit you off ,
or just go into a drift and scrub off speed , like a real Commando, Pushing the bi^ch into it when theres No Alternative ,
Will it hold a line , line chop , switch and reverse bank ( flip L to R ) without undue The wiggles or wottsits . PLEASE .
 
According to my friend the horsepower numbers dont tell the whole story. He says the bike feels like it has endless power, handles like a dream.
Click to expand...

Very glad in real like its so capable pleasing. I guess its too much to expect every new issue of a "Commando" to be a performance leader like in the old days. Sure looks like it'd be a leader of the pack. Hope they hold up in use so company can refine the product and not sink with warranty hits but get on to supplying the demand.

Matt you may have to rephrase your comments for me to comprehend tonight.
 
I'm guessing whoever was demonstrating the bike on the track was directed to keep it melllow. There aren't a lot of spare demo New Nortons, I believe...
 
because many people will opt for the dual seat and willingly pay that much more for it?

"whatever price the market will bear" = Capitalism
 
hobot said:
I thought Dreer had worked up more a sports bike performer than this production version. Its not same league to appeal to performance riddrs even if more grunt by its bigger engine than most Cdo's Wonder if there will ever be enough to support a hop up after market. Wonder if Barber's will acquire one for history?
Click to expand...

Kenny designed the bike to be an evolution of the Commando. Big torque, fun to ride.
 
worntorn said:
According to my friend the horsepower numbers dont tell the whole story. He says the bike feels like it has endless power, handles like a dream.
And he rides a new Bonneville which is supposed to be a pretty decent bike.

Glen
Click to expand...

got news - if he rode a well set up 70's 750 norton (or even an 850) he'd still think the same thing - the new triumphs twins are nice bikes they aren't REAL SPEED DEMONS - they only push out about 60 hp
 
He's owned and ridden Commandos over the years, but found this new bike to be quite a bit beyond that kind of power level. So it should be 961cc plus lots of Keeny Dreer's ideas in there.

The Dreer 880s showed 67 to 70 RWHP on the dyno according to Kenny. I think the 961 has another 10 or so.
Our Commandos in stock form, and here it doesn't matter much which model you choose, might hit 50RWHP if in perfect tune at sea level.

Again, according to Dreer, the dyno he used for the 880s was also used for a lot of stock bikes that he restored. None of those ever broke 50 rwhp.

I think Dyno Dave had similar results , recently, wasn't 49 the top number?

Glen
 
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