What’s the best none Norton Norton ?

speaking of adventure/sporty etc variants, or the commando covering all the bases,

today







The Genesis of the BMW R80 G/S

Exploring the origins of the ADV movement and the history of the original 1980 R80 G/S.

With the R80 G/S, Gerlinger and BMW were prescient. The company could not have known it at the time, but that first G/S was a masterstroke—not just for short-term sales, which kept the company alive, but for the enduring power of the GS line and the thriving category that so many millions of riders would thrill to over the coming decades.

In 1979, Karl Heinz Gerlinger was asked to make BMW’s motorcycle division profitable again. The R80 G/S did just that…and so much more.
 
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That’s more like it - yes indeedy!

The most stylish Egli-Vincent I’ve ever seen? I think it might just be!:oops: Sleek’n’sexy!!

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That’s more like it - yes indeedy!

The most stylish Egli-Vincent I’ve ever seen? I think it might just be!:oops: Sleek’n’sexy!!

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Pared to the bone , anyone over ten stone in weight shouldn't have that beautiful bike.😄
 
Is the best non Norton Norton a Commando built up with Maney / Molnar / Fullauto etc parts? I get the impression that there are enough manufacturers making tuning / race parts to built a complete Norton with a minimum of 'genuine' Norton parts.
 
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It’s all about the proportions and the aesthetic right? Performance as well of course.

Whoever restored this got it A1 spot-on to my eye. Love this in my garage - if there was any room!

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
 
Is the best non Norton Norton a Commando built up with Maney / Molnar / Fullauto etc parts? I get the impression that there are enough manufacturers making tuning / race parts to built a complete Norton with a minimum of 'genuine' Norton parts.
not forgetting JS parts!
 
Ah yes, George’s Commando….


Ah, thanks for that Cliff - did’nt make the connection. I’d seen this video before, but not registered it was the same bike when the image popped up!

A bit of a hybrid, so maybe not for the purists maybe? Interpol tank and custom seat unit etc makes the proportions work for me - it just looks right! Was never a fan of the original fastback rear end - personal preference of course.

George is at that stage in life when he knows what he likes I guess. Doubt he has a modern ‘turn key bike’ in his garage!😃
 
Nice lookin’ well performing middleweight, keenly priced and suited to younger riders and maybe the mature alike. Hence it’s sold a motza! Norton could really do with one of those! Don’t think we’re gonna get one though.

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Nice lookin’ well performing middleweight, keenly priced and suited to younger riders and maybe the mature alike. Hence it’s sold a motza! Norton could really do with one of those! Don’t think we’re gonna get one though.

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In this months Motorcycle Sport and Leisure magazine in an interview with Robert Hentschel , when asked about all new engines for the end of the year , he said " Not only one ,you have to think about two, three , even four, with a line up established by November "
A very interesting article even if we are used to Blah Blah comments. Buy yourself a copy of the mag it makes for very good reading about Norton and is the best biking mag out there as a bonus. 👍
 
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In this months Motorcycle Sport and Leisure magazine in an interview with Robert Hentschel , when asked about all new engines for the end of the year , he said " Not only one ,you have to think about two, three , even four, with a line up established by November "
A very interesting article even if we are used to Blah Blah comments. Buy yourself a copy of the mag it makes for very good reading about Norton and is the best biking mag out there as a bonus. 👍
Agreed PB. Very interesting.

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?What’s the best none Norton Norton ?What’s the best none Norton Norton ?What’s the best none Norton Norton ?What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
 
The best article I’ve read on Norton for a long time - the interviewer asked most of the right questions. More direct responses and less blah-blah ones for me. Some affirmative comments.

At least three new engines (ICE platforms) and therefore families of bikes in development.
New bikes to show at the NEC this year.
Currently near the rideable prototype stage - this year.
First EV’s will be smaller capacity, not premium performance.
961 will not be exported; neither will the V4 it seems although that wasn't completely clear.
Some confirmation of numbers sold and projected totals. V4 appears to be selling well.
Break even is 8k-10k units when in full production.

Maybe Norton has finally realised that the buying public and in particular Norton enthusiasts want/need more information, lest they fill the void with inaccurate/negative commentary. Good news IMO.
 
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If this were to finally materialise, and if the new engines and bikes are worthy, it will retrospectively explain or confirm why the 961 situation came across as such a mess. To them, it would have been the Garner embezzlement machine, not the Norton of their proud own vision. Yes, this was the running conclusion all along, but now it will be sealed. Too bad. It´s not the bike´s fault, which is a Last Mohican. And any electric Norton is just a symptom of eco pressure.
After the KTM announcement last week, it is also maybe clear that the new tech director simply didn´t want to work for Pierer and conveniently showed up here. All the best to him and may he last.
 
More on the topic of seemingly comparable alternatives, I recently spent a day on the new Ducati Scrambler Icon, the closest of all the recent bikes I rode which may be considered as a lighter 961 alternative. I was very much surprised at how entertaining, easy and lively it is. I had the preconception of it being some slow-revving beach bike along the lines of a big Van Van, but it is nothing of that sort. Quite the opposite.
 
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If this were to finally materialise, and if the new engines and bikes are worthy, it will retrospectively explain or confirm why the 961 situation came across as such a mess. To them, it would have been the Garner embezzlement machine, not the Norton of their proud own vision. Yes, this was the running conclusion all along, but now it will be sealed. Too bad. It´s not the bike´s fault, which is a Last Mohican. And any electric Norton is just a symptom of eco pressure.
After the KTM announcement last week, it is also maybe clear that the new tech director simply didn´t want to work for Pierer and conveniently showed up here. All the best to him and may he last.
That’s a slightly different take on the 961 mate. He appears to be saying that they had invested heavily in the upgrading of the 961 with a view to leading with the bike, including exports.

The misjudgement appears to be their initial assessment that it could be modified to meet current emissions standards in a cost effective way. It became apparent (as they underwent the upgrade I suspect), that this was not economically viable. So maybe a commercial decision as opposed to an ongoing Garner association/proud vision scenario.

I think Norton should be a little more candid about this with potential overseas customers. I’ve seen many overseas posts asking about the 961, where Norton responded ref opening up overseas markets in due course. If the enquiry is about the 961 this info should be divulged.
 
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