Norton UK Website drop 961 , Variants and Superlight from Bike listing

Second hand prices are mixed in Aus, with some prices very low. There is currently a 2015 CR on the market, less than 300km for AUD 20k!! Another for AUD 23k, as new! Does’nt bode well initially. Who knows in the future.
 
So what TVS have in the 961 is a bike that attracts a lot of attention because the design is so good. The retro vibe is still strong (thanks BMW for giving it a bit more of a push) and a name which will definitely sell the bike internationally. They are in the position of having a design which is guaranteed to sell if the price is right so how much effort would it really be to reverse engineer a new 961? Ok so we might need a fake air cooled engine but I'm sure TVS have got some good engineers to come up with something to look the part. It does need performance though so give it a supercharger for that additional wow factor eh Nigel?
 
Fast Eddie said:
That would be cool Clive.

And short pipes (of course)...
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Wellll I don't want you think I'm going soft or owt but after last Friday's experiences at Mallory Park I wouldn't mind a bit more ground clearance....... And the supercharger for those pesky 600s that pass me on the straights.

I keep looking at that Mellow supercharged Thruxton.
 
What?

Please tell us more about your Mallory adventure!

Any pics?

I thought mine was tremendous fun around Mallory. It’s not a tight enough circuit for the (relatively) slow steering to be an issue, and although the fast boys will still pass you on the straights, the rest of the track is quite suited to the 961 I thought.

Gerrards on the 961 was sheer bliss !!
 
Went to get my ACU Road Race licence which was run with on a track day. Haven't decided what to do with it yet - was looking at MZ Racing series but instructors on course reckon I need something a bit faster like a (modern by my standards) classic Jap bike. Was initially terrified as I have never been on a track before and the other guys were asking about when to switch on their tyre warmers! A 32 grid mass start went better than expected and overall was great experience and totally addictive. Would have liked more time to learn to take the hairpin better. Proceedings were delayed when the circuit ran out of ambulances....
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
‘Now that’s what I’m talkin bout’!! I’ve owned many motorcycles in the past 40 years and literally none have garnered the same sort of response I get when I’m out on the Norton. Don’t ride my CR for anything other than pleasure and a big part of that pleasure is the type of conversations Mx is talking about - happens all of the time. Past difficulties aside, this marque Is still revered by many and at the very least sparks interest in others. What an absolute bargain at 16 Mil for TVS. Part aesthetics, part performance, part nostalgia and part patriotism for me.
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Absolute bargain - really!! Have you not read the BDO latest progress report that is available publicly, I bet they are well hacked off. That's pounds sterling not AUD, add on the fees for Rothschild's, an IP law firm, a firm of global solicitors, 24 million share raise, wages to date, rent and rates and it is over 40 million and not yet one bike produced. Ask any of the big four what margin they make on their bikes and it looks like the money invested will never be recovered. Finding and setting up a new facility to build bikes won't be cheap either.
 
Clive said:
Went to get my ACU Road Race licence which was run with on a track day. Haven't decided what to do with it yet - was looking at MZ Racing series but instructors on course reckon I need something a bit faster like a (modern by my standards) classic Jap bike. Was initially terrified as I have never been on a track before and the other guys were asking about when to switch on their tyre warmers! A 32 grid mass start went better than expected and overall was great experience and totally addictive. Would have liked more time to learn to take the hairpin better. Proceedings were delayed when the circuit ran out of ambulances....
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Brilliant!

There are quite a few cheap (relatively speaking) race classes for late ish Japanese bikes these days.

The CRMC has grids full of them. A mate of mine who normally races a Manx and a Commando now races a Yam FZR that he picked up for pocket change.

He says he loves it. Main difference is there’s nowt to do between races (no repairs etc) and all the straights now seem much shorter ! Fortunately it has brakes to match.

Then I’ve got another mate who races in a one make class for Suz 600 Bandits. Again, dirt cheap and hassle free.

Of course, the class leaders all spend bigger bucks, but of you just wanna race, have fun, and learn, its probably never been cheaper or more accessible.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Brilliant!

There are quite a few cheap (relatively speaking) race classes for late ish Japanese bikes these days.

The CRMC has grids full of them. A mate of mine who normally races a Manx and a Commando now races a Yam FZR that he picked up for pocket change.

He says he loves it. Main difference is there’s nowt to do between races (no repairs etc) and all the straights now seem much shorter ! Fortunately it has brakes to match.

Then I’ve got another mate who races in a one make class for Suz 600 Bandits. Again, dirt cheap and hassle free.

Of course, the class leaders all spend bigger bucks, but of you just wanna race, have fun, and learn, its probably never been cheaper or more accessible.
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Yes thanks - I was recommended FZ600 as a good candidate
 
Anyway... back to the Norton motorcycle range...

Is it only me who’s waiting for a naked V4 1200 Streetfighter version...?!
 
Fast Eddie said:
Anyway... back to the Norton motorcycle range...

Is it only me who’s waiting for a naked V4 1200 Streetfighter version...?!
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Might be interesting to see them do something like that.
I really like the Ducati Streetfighter concept, except for the name. Should be Panigale Naked or some such. Enough with the silly bravado.
Low bars, not clip-ons, reasonable ergos - YEAH.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Is it only me who’s waiting for a naked V4 1200 Streetfighter version...?!
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Depends on whether TVS really want Norton to go head-to-head in the marketplace against Ducati, KTM and Aprilia. Giovanni Castiglioni nearly ruined MV Agusta a few years ago by trying to bring out a bike to compete with each of Ducati's offerings, and it eventually led to MV being sold to Russian billionaire Timur Sardarov out of desperation. If I were TVS and had multiple lines of motorcycles, I would keep Norton a boutique company, and make a few models of bikes that honored its heritage while avoiding trying to be all things to all people.
 
italia said:
If I were TVS and had multiple lines of motorcycles, I would keep Norton a boutique company, and make a few models of bikes that honored its heritage while avoiding trying to be all things to all people.
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I think as far as the twin cylinder classics are concerned, I would agree with you.
However, the V4 shares no heritage whatsoever with past Norton models.
Its totally modern, "hair on fire" design says, I'm not your grandfather's Norton.

Making the streetfighter just requires a V4 - which already exists then:
1. Remap the EFI system for better low end torque
2. Instead of a fairing, bolt-on some angular plastic or carbon bits for the spaceship look - young folks like this
3. Replace clip-ons with low bars
4. Some very bright/gaudy paint - again for the young
5. Christen it with another name like V4 Naked, instead of the pretentious streetfighter.

I would be tempted.
 
BritTwit said:
I think as far as the twin cylinder classics are concerned, I would agree with you.
However, the V4 shares no heritage whatsoever with past Norton models.
Its totally modern, "hair on fire" design says, I'm not your grandfather's Norton.

Making the streetfighter just requires a V4 - which already exists then:
1. Remap the EFI system for better low end torque
2. Instead of a fairing, bolt-on some angular plastic or carbon bits for the spaceship look - young folks like this
3. Replace clip-ons with low bars
4. Some very bright/gaudy paint - again for the young
5. Christen it with another name like V4 Naked, instead of the pretentious streetfighter.

I would be tempted..... but at what price could they profitably sell it ??
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This all sounds great ! Until I see something I can't get excited . I was actually thinking about a KAW Z H2 if you can believe it ! If you're not familiar this is the naked-blown lowest price version of this bike . Price is really low compared to others. I've already seen one for $14.9K USD and talk about arm stretching.

This one :

Norton UK Website drop 961 , Variants and Superlight from Bike listing

Norton UK Website drop 961 , Variants and Superlight from Bike listing
 
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