That’s all Folks 2

In my opinion the new line of atlas bikes lost the character of Norton. The Atlas bikes are a total new make over. I understand they are moving with modern times and although I like the Nomad, and I wanted one. I think I’m gonna pass. I already have the two Norton’s I wanted. My Naked and Commando.

My next bike needs to be a two up and it’s either gonna be a Speed Twin or a Indian FTR1200.

The Triumph would probably make the better 2-up option, but if it is only the occasional 2-up then the FTR is a good choice, not in the same league as Nigel's Monster but more than enough instant torque/HP to dislocate your shoulder blades :)

Spot the 'Dommi' fly screen... I'm also working on the fender eliminator... PV-3 tuned with aftermarket 'stock' fuel map which makes power delivery smoother but have the decat link pipe and map ready to go on.

I can't decide which of my two other bikes will go up for sale so I might prep and advertise them both and whichever one sells first.... :(.... or I might sell a kidney and keep them both :)

That’s all Folks 2

That’s all Folks 2
 
If any of us had paid out £15000 - £22000 (Commando CR, Sport, Street, Cali) or £24500 - £30000 (Dominator, Domiracer) £28000 (VRR) etc.. to any other manufacturer ....

That's just it, people do pay that kinda money for other models and they do get problems.... I read the Moto Guzzi and Triumph Thrux forums regularly and both suffer repeated probs, albeit they sell much higher volumes. Then there is H-D, the latest engine is mean't to be a blast but critical components made of inferior materials have been a cause of concern, and relatively low mileage example of previous engine variants have failed big time. The Pan the Knuckle and even the Flathead are on the wish list for many H-D owners even though they were knocked big time for their reliability. I did have a brand new Kawasaki GPz1100 let me down on the outskirts of Paris once, kept blowing fuses, but with the trusty toolkit I quickly traced it to the wiring loom had chaffed under the tank due to vibration and exposed a 12v line.
 
That's just it, people do pay that kinda money for other models and they do get problems
There must be something seriously wrong with QC in the motorcycle industry then?

I guess it also comes down to dealer back up, communication with customers and percentage of vehicles that go wrong. We all understand that machines go wrong but when the same issue keeps occurring (Lamda sensors failure to name one) then you expect the manufacturer to resolve repeating failure.
As you have said earlier in the post #26 - I am not unique in experiencing poor customer service and communication.
You also said you got the FTR as “a bike you can just get on and ride”

Edit:
And Yes I have had an issue with my Speed Twin - the bike would not always engage first gear when coming to a stop at junctions, I contacted Triumph and they offered to send a van to collect later that same day. I was able to ride to the dealer (20 mins away) and they looked at it immediately - identified an issue with the clutch cable assembly and fixed it on the spot. They then rang the next day to ask if everything was ok and if not “just drop it off and take a loan bike while we fix it”
 
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The Triumph would probably make the better 2-up option, but if it is only the occasional 2-up then the FTR is a good choice, not in the same league as Nigel's Monster but more than enough instant torque/HP to dislocate your shoulder blades :)

Spot the 'Dommi' fly screen... I'm also working on the fender eliminator... PV-3 tuned with aftermarket 'stock' fuel map which makes power delivery smoother but have the decat link pipe and map ready to go on.

I can't decide which of my two other bikes will go up for sale so I might prep and advertise them both and whichever one sells first.... :(.... or I might sell a kidney and keep them both :)

That’s all Folks 2

That’s all Folks 2
Which bikes are you considering to sell? FTR and Commando?
 
I guess it also comes down to dealer back up, communication with customers and percentage of vehicles that go wrong

I agree with you John, it boils down to how comfortable you are with dealer support from your own past experiences and the % of problems you are likely to get with a brand new bike. For most peeps the expected norm is 'fantastic dealer network' and 'one in a million' on the problem front for the majority of manufacturers.
 
I agree with you John, it boils down to how comfortable you are with dealer support from your own past experiences and the % of problems you are likely to get with a brand new bike.

With the 961, dealer support is literally the life line.
Not having a dealer within reasonable distance is the one major concern for me.
 
With the 961, dealer support is literally the life line.
Not having a dealer within reasonable distance is the one major concern for me.
Independents will work on it. I know of 2. After all, its a simple parallel twin. Its getting the parts quickly enough that would be the problem.
 
I am sorry to hear of another 961 sale. I have to admit the first day or two of ownership after my initial running problems and I was ready to get rid of it then. But when that was all sorted, I reminded myself why I chose the 961, the truly british hand built motorcycle, a sort of 2 wheel aston martin. Despite a few more issues, I have stayed in love with it. I am riding my Indian bobber a lot more, especially on work commutes, but when I take the 961 out on days like today, I just love the way it rides and the handling/brakes are excellent.

I will get it serviced later in the year at about 2600 miles and that will be my warranty just about done by then. My plan is to keep it and if I desire another bike, I hope that I wouldn't want to sell her.

That’s all Folks 2
 
not in the same league as Nigel's Monster but more than enough instant torque/HP to dislocate your shoulder blades :)

I don't know about that . It may be a touch slower in the quarter (Indian), But its all about torque and where the power is. Also , the riding position alone on the Indian wins it for me. They have just started accessing the potential of the Indian FTR , They are already in the 130's RWHP with minor tuning . When you have a factory that is a willing partner , things get a whole lot easier !
 
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I am out.

Just waiting for it to be returned from the factory before sale or trade in.

As Steve said...
For me, things get worrisome only if your safety when riding becomes a factor.
 
I am out.

Just waiting for it to be returned from the factory before sale or trade in.

As Steve said...
For me, things get worrisome only if your safety when riding becomes a factor.
Oh Dear ,
That’s a couple of the regular contributors in the last week,like to think it shouldn’t take long or diagnose a problem once someone s looked at the bike, but more someone’s are needed QUICK,there must be record of how many 961s have had warranty problems,add up those hours taken , could of been time better spent elsewhere in the factory, how long it been now John ?
 
I’m not so sure chaps, more worrying are the catastrophic mechanical failures and worn valve guides that we’ve heard about of late. We’re 9-10 years into production of the 961 now, so one thing that has to be faced here is that the factory are clearly not good at root cause problem solving and feeding that into product development.

And that is a real shame as they should be, normally small companies are far better and faster at such stuff than the big boys.

Unfortunately, I can’t help but worry if the 650 family will suffer the same fate...
 
I got a bit interested in buying a 961 until I saw the curved rod for the gear linkage.
Were the new Norton trying to copy the kinked rod of the old Norvil rear sets?
Or do they think potential buyers prefer curves to kinks:rolleyes:
 
Oh Dear ,
That’s a couple of the regular contributors in the last week,like to think it shouldn’t take long or diagnose a problem once someone s looked at the bike, but more someone’s are needed QUICK,there must be record of how many 961s have had warranty problems,add up those hours taken , could of been time better spent elsewhere in the factory, how long it been now John ?
Bike has been at Donnington since 23rd July, minus one day when I collected and broke down on way back to Essex - still there waiting to be resolved.
Plus..
spoke to Max and Ash has now left the company so not sure who is in charge in service now
 
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