Update on 961

If you are shopping for maximum performance for price, you won't purchase a 961. Any mass produced 600 cc sportbike will win that one, let alone the litre bikes.
If might be fair to compare the handbuilt 961 to a CNW Norton (about 40 k plus donor? ) or a new Godet Egli, said to be around 100 k for a 1330 version, or a mere 90 k for the standard 998 version. All three companies seem to have no shortage of buyers, big waiting lists for all three. Only Norton gets $hit for it tho, with the others the buyers expect to wait. Not sure if CNW takes deposits but I am sure Godet does. Eventually the bikes show up and usually the owners are thrilled.

Glen
 
cmessenk said:
OldBalz said:
That kind of money will buy you a new Ducati Panigale...
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No disrespect or attempt to start a debate, but you'll need another 8K or so to even get close to get a Paniagle off the showroom floor ....DAMHINT.
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$39990 ride away here for a 1199S Paniagle,the Norton 961 is around $30000 as far as I know.
I might be out a bit but seem to recall the RRP on a Road King Classic was around US$18000 in 2012 and here they were $31000 :D

The 961 looks to be a fine motorcycle and good luck to Norton in their quest but not for me,I would rather have two 1970's Commando's for the same $30k.
 
L.A.B. said:
961 production has moved to Hastings House :D

http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/news/n ... tory-move/

New 1066 model Commando due to be released shortly! :wink:
(Joke)
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Brought a smile to my face, at least :lol:

If nothing else, these 961 threads have highlighted the challenges faced by anyone bringing a new product to the market.
I don't see myself buying one - I used to run old Brits because they were cheap and quirky (cheap and dirty?), so I'm not the target customer :mrgreen:
Looking forwards to seeing where they are in the next 12 months, but if they can get bikes into the US, they must be doing something right!
 
Ride Apart interview with Stuart Garner May 2013

http://rideapart.com/2013/05/stuart-garner-on-nortons-future/

I sent an email to SouthBay California to provide them with some words of encouragement. I've decided to wait patiently for the 961, the restored Nortons that were manufactured by the Oregon American Kenny Dreer were selling for $16K USD several years ago. The American is also happy to see that the storied brand is back on its feet, even if it is someone else at the helm; that is an example of true love if ever there was one. Dreer truly believes in Norton. Stuart's bikes are authentic English bred and raised Commando stuff that will add to the Norton character and legend. Whatever the head count will be for the Norton Commando 961 model, I want one.

Email to SouthBay Lomita California Triumph/Norton Dealership

"Hello Carlos and Marisa,

Thanks again for your support towards ordering the Commando. I'm glad to still be on the list for these rare and special bikes. I've been keeping up with the 961 updates as they pop up. Found this recent interview online with Stuart Garner on Norton's future. It helped me to understand just how much work has to go into producing a single bike.

http://rideapart.com/2013/05/stuart-gar ... ns-future/

Thanks to this article it is clear that the bike is worth the wait. I was under the impression that these bikes were being produced at much higher numbers. In the interview Mr. Garner states that the facility is large enough to accommodate higher production but current employee count is approximately 40 workers. Other customers have cancelled orders based upon the long wait, but I believe they were not aware of the made to order reality for this reborn company. I would recommend sending this link to all of your waiting customers, because of the information provided by Stuart Garner I am willing to wait patiently for my Norton. We are so accustomed to fast food and fast service practices today, we expect it for almost all things that we want or do. Please keep my order going strong with Norton, I want to see them (and SouthBay) succeed.

Best Wishes and Kind Regards,"

FuManChew
1973 Norton Commando 750

Early bird locked in price for 961 Sport USD $16,999

http://motorcycles.findthebest.com/l/15 ... -961-Sport
 
Anglophile said:
fumanchew said:
fumanchew said:
12 Sep 2013 - Update, a Washington dealer representative called shortly after the post above was made, they are taking pre-orders and deposits at this time.
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Starting at $21,014.00 :(
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Early Bird locked in price for my Sport USD $16,999

Here's a useful link for reference and information gathering on the 961 http://www.nortonownersclub.org/noc-cha ... -961-forum
http://www.nortonownersclub.org/noc-cha ... /893503355
 
There's probably a 3 year wait for the Morgan 3 if you can afford one. Maybe Mr. Garner can get in that group, but it's too early to tell, if you get my drift.
 
I cancelled my order for the 961 Standard with SouthBay Triumph/Norton Lomita California. Wouldn't recommend them to anyone, $3k deposit was cashed by them upon receipt and 3 months after requesting my return deposit they have yet to deliver. Bike was ordered in May and cancelled in October, buyer beware!!!
 
fumanchew said:
I cancelled my order for the 961 Standard with SouthBay Triumph/Norton Lomita California. Wouldn't recommend them to anyone, $3k deposit was cashed by them upon receipt and 3 months after requesting my return deposit they have yet to deliver. Bike was ordered in May and cancelled in October, buyer beware!!!
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What did you expect them to do with the deposit?
 
fumanchew said:
I cancelled my order for the 961 Standard with SouthBay Triumph/Norton Lomita California. Wouldn't recommend them to anyone, $3k deposit was cashed by them upon receipt and 3 months after requesting my return deposit they have yet to deliver. Bike was ordered in May and cancelled in October, buyer beware!!!
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I'm not surprised. This is why I refused to send a deposit to any dealership. I'm not sure any wait time past year is even legal? I would think a reasonable amount of time for delivery would be 90 days. If the bike doesn't show up you should have the option of getting your money back. It sounds like those guys are just waiting for customers to walk their deposits and put it in their pocket. Sounds like a very profitable business to me. Almost the same as buying an insurance policy. You get nothing but a promise!
 
VSport, roger that, I did expect them to return the deposit in 30 days, that is what they put in writing. I would have preferred the 961, but bought a 2013 Bonnie T100 instead (Cheap compared to the Norty 961). I hope someone here in the forum gets a hand on the elusive 961, would like to read about all that Norton magic I have been denied. :?
 
fumanchew said:
VSport, roger that, I did expect them to return the deposit in 30 days, that is what they put in writing. I would have preferred the 961, but bought a 2013 Bonnie T100 instead (Cheap compared to the Norty 961). I hope someone here in the forum gets a hand on the elusive 961, would like to read about all that Norton magic I have been denied. :?
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Check my thread "961 First Ride" and "Big Apple 961" just posted in the last 2 weeks!
 
Swooshdave, I wasn't surprised they cashed it, more disappointed than anything else that the check they did finally send just before Christmas......BOUNCED!!! I sent them real money and they returned "A piece of paper" just to coin your phrase Sir, Lol.
Integrity Sir, is in the eye of the beholder, SouthBay Triumph/Norton.......FAIL!
Talk is cheap Sir, my guess is if it was your 3 grand they were pinching, you'd be singing a different song....bring it on , lol.
Guess I'll just have to be happy with my old 73 Norty.
 

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BPHORSEGUY said:
fumanchew said:
VSport, roger that, I did expect them to return the deposit in 30 days, that is what they put in writing. I would have preferred the 961, but bought a 2013 Bonnie T100 instead (Cheap compared to the Norty 961). I hope someone here in the forum gets a hand on the elusive 961, would like to read about all that Norton magic I have been denied. :?
Click to expand...

Check my thread "961 First Ride" and "Big Apple 961" just posted in the last 2 weeks!
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Beautiful Norty 961, I tried to get the Classic Black also, congratulations! Maybe 1 day that English Moto Gold will make it to Hawaii, best wishes and kind regards.
 

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