Norton’s issue is a lack of product choice for the average buyer who are not millionaires and can’t afford dream machines.

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for your comment. I’m hopeful that we’ll see more bikes announced this year. I suspect the 961 range is just a stopgap measure to fill the gap until new models can be developed, which takes a few years. They also needed to build their supplier network back up again. Cheers, and thanks for your comment. Jonathan

@GiancarloBenzina

Ай бұрын

Lack of availability of reliable bikes and service. Norton does not want to sell bikes, it’s rather obvious.

I looked at a Commando the other day, 17k not a chance, they really need to step it up quality wise. It was a lovely looking bike but the riding experience and finish was miles away what I thought it would be

Bottom line here these things are way too expensive and sold in tiny numbers, in the current world situation no company will survive on this business model 🤷🏻‍♂️

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Hi Kevin, I agree. That’s why they need new models. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too much longer to see what they look like. Thanks for your comment. Cheers. Jonathan

17k bike with £10 indicators. Things have to change.

@DANTHETUBEMAN

Ай бұрын

bad tiring radius on a street bike? 😮

@hgm8337

Ай бұрын

Agreed, £2.50 indicators, if they ever hope to make a profit!

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

The turning radius has nearly caught me out a couple of times! It might be possible to grind the stops back, but that would involve a tank relocation as well, it would need moving back a bit to avoid the forks hitting the tank.

@DANTHETUBEMAN

Ай бұрын

@@NortonUnofficial it's a bad design for a street bike. I want to like me that bike 🤠

@bikefever3569

Ай бұрын

There was one in the bike shed in London last year I think and it had oil on the floor underneath it 😀 And on top of that they want £99 for a hoodie FFS

They have a huge factory to build a very small number of bikes which will only ever be of limited appeal. Set up to fail?

With more than a dozen V4 SV’s available on Autotrader and them not being able to be sold for as little as £34,000 for an unused £44,000 motorcycle , I can’t see how they are going to sell them.

Take the idea of the RE interceptor , make a old style Norton Commando Interstate of the 70s era . Add some goodies ,rev counter ,fuel gauge and price it in the same region . There is no need for these overpriced money loosing new Nortons in the current declining motorcycle market . Nice 500 single would be good too .Again add reasonable priced after market goods and low cost servicing Build the brand , save the brand . RE are not perfect ,but they are building the brand .

@AddictedtoProjects

Ай бұрын

Completely agree. My wife just sold her Harley to get an RE twin. I'm an experienced motorcycle mechanic and I can tell that they are very well made. For a price of £6000 on the road, that's a complete no-brainer. The RE business model definitely works very well, to be able to produce attractive bikes at that price point.

@niksmedia1947

26 күн бұрын

RE and TVS are from the same city. Chennai

Imagine charging £17k+ for a 10-yr old design push-rod, non-Euro complaint, low-bhp, 5-speed bike and £50k+ for basically a re-badged Aprilia AND still dropping £38m. You have to admire their chutzpah. I wish them all the best, but surely their only hope is that TVS's patience doesn't wear out and they continue to want them in their product stable as a vanity project to showcase a premium-brand, sold through an existing global dealership network at some point.

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Thanks for your comment. I suspect those two bikes, the V4 and the Commando, were just put into production as they were pretty much ready to go (ignoring the re-engineering they did to improve quality). Price is an issue I am sure, but they are aiming for the premium market. They're not looking to be another mass-market e.g., Triumph, RE, BSA etc in my opinion. I am sure they are working on new bikes, hopefully we see something this year - maybe at Motorcycle Live?

@-pavski-7230

Ай бұрын

I almost bought a 961 its a stunning looking bike but the engine is way too low on power and tech for me if it were high torque and 100 or 120 bhp and had a six speed box it would be more tempting for sure

@richardsimpson3792

Ай бұрын

@@-pavski-7230 You could get a fantastic 'real' Norton Commando for less money...pretty much all the original issues with the NVT product have been addressed, 100% parts availability, what more could you want?

I went to the NEC show last year, the Norton stand was very popular but, quite a few people were saying nice but overpriced! I have only seen one modern Norton on the road, even MV Agustas are more common.

It must be extremely worrying (all over again) for Norton staff…. I wish them, and the company, all the best moving forward. At least SG is no longer around to fleece the pension pot! Hopefully the new concept Atlas which was shown a few years back will come to fruition! 👍🏻

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Hi thanks for your comment. I think having the backing of TVS must be seen as a positive. And I agree, I’d love to see the Atlas make a comeback, I was so close to putting an order in (thankfully I didn’t!). Cheers. Jonathan

My theory is as good as anyone else's guess. They want a high tech facility in UK to attract top design staff and their industry contacts to pull TVS into the top tier of sophisticated motorcycle designs. Actually selling bikes isn't the purpose. How can it be? They already sell 2 million per year in India. A couple of years like that and they will have sold more bikes than the entire British motorcycle industry throughout the 20th Century.

The Norton Commando 961 is a beautiful looking bike. It makes a great sound and its power output is right in the sweet spot - not too much and not too little. I’m also right in the middle of the target group - money is not the issue. But do I want one? I currently have a T120 Bonneville. What would a Commando give me above what I already have? I think not. My next bike is more likely to be a Kawasaki Z900 RS - if I can bear parting with my Bonnie. Norton’s product has to be improved so people like me will buy one.

No surprise, at the price they sell their bikes...

1 Norton, or 3 Royal Enfields? I think they went wrong trying to be the "retro Ducati", ie low sales high premium price sales model - Thinking you could make Norton a boutique brand. Because at least with a Ducati, you're paying for performance. All you seem to be paying for with Norton, is the low volume "rarity" of a low power, low performance, parallel twin. And I think they got the styling wrong. Modern bikes on smaller wheels -the new Commando just doesnt lookquite right to my eyes - theres too much "see through" of the engine and the seat/tail sits too high. - Its like they had 2 photos of 2 different motorbikes - and cut the photo in half length ways along the seat/tank/bars/clocks and overlayed it on a modern bike - Seat/tank are all too high, or the engine is, and ought to be a couple of inches lower, canted forwards with exhaust around the engine casing for clearance from the lower engine. And why did that tall awkward engine need so many cc's? The origial commando was what, 750 to start? I wanted one, til they released one, and then I didn't. Triumph's execution of modern retro was far better. As was RE's.

Norton is falling into the same trap as before in the 1970s. They are selling outdated, overpriced, and quite honestly, over rated machines. There are far better motorcycles, and manufacturers on the market with dealer back up to choose from. Relying totally on a once great name with a once great past is definitely not an achievable business plan.

Commandos are in the premium market segment where there’s even less customers, not mentioning the V-4. Their twins need to be accessible for the majority of riders to enjoy sales volume, make it cheaper! Most motorcyclists don’t need Ohlins or carbon mudguards etc. They just want a financially accessible motorcycle and if that’s working your rewards increase parallel. Bring out a tourer (Interstate) or a Scrambler capable of doing cross-country. I think it was some (please correct me if I’m wrong!) 70 years ago where Norton was financially saved because of their single-cylinder bikes. Catering for the elite few will never up those sales figures, especially when some of those financially endowed persons already have their Nortons gracing the odd living room. It nevertheless amazes me to see Norton is active and giving it a shot 😉

I love the bikes and would buy one tomorrow but they are out of my reach financially 🏍

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Thanks for your comments Simon. Cheers.

I would suggest MV Agusta as a comparison. Low volume high value bikes with a significant historical link. They have been slowly going bankcrupt for the last 25 years. Repeated recapitalisation often with new partners with deep pockets. So far none have managed to turn it into a profitable concern. Now with new owners who are making all the right noises, we shall see.

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Good one. MV have more models in their range, and are also available internationally. So in that respect they are a few years ahead of Norton. It’ll be interesting to see if Norton follow the same path.

I’d sure love for them To keep going so I can get a new one in the U.S.!

Have you overlooked VAT in your financials, on £14k you would be paying £2.8k in VAT plus registration so retailing a bike at upper £17’s wouldn’t leave much profit for a dealer?

I agree fully in your insides laid out in the video here. Thank you very much for sharing them with us. I hope Noton will survive these difficult first years for every starting business operation and I appreciate very much that the investor is willing to support building these magnificent machines in the UK despite the risks. Good luck to Norton Motorcycles Company !

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to comment on the video. Ride safe. Jonathan

Norton is trying to position themselves as a prestige bike maker, but they’re not. The 961 isn’t worth nearly the cost of 3 Triumph Bonnevilles. The technical differences from the last Meridian Bonnie to the first Hinckley Bonnie is beyond night and day. Twin overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder, twin balancing shafts and a smooth engine that had an appropriate price tag and reliable.

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for your comment. I do believe the Commando is purely a stop-gap measure to get the factory up and running again and keep the brand alive while they develop new bikes. I think we might see something later this year. But I also think they will always aim to be a premium brand - time will tell if it's the right strategy.

@frankmarkovcijr5459

Ай бұрын

​@@NortonUnofficialThe old 500 twin was a stopgap bike untill they had something better and it got pushed to the edge and beyond from 500-850 cc. The temporary motorcycle that was made for 30 years. At 7,000 bikes ayear Norton was never profitable and used government money to stay afloat. Norton is simply cursed. Filled with self delusions about it's greatness. Here we go again!

I bought a new 961 last week, its frame number is in the low 300s, the dealer had already sold 34 this year. The current bikes are a loss leader to keep the brand alive in the market, until the new Euro 5 compliant bikes come on stream. At which point the 961 models will be phased out. Don't know why they bothered with the V4, as sales are tiny compared to the 961. The 961 sell for £15K new, as they have a dealer contribution of £2024 each.

@martinhughes-games8541

Ай бұрын

is it good to ride? do you like it?!

@Merch131ho

Ай бұрын

@@martinhughes-games8541 Yes I do, brakes, suspension are very good, like a modern sports bike, quick steering. Engine is powerful enough and has lots of torque. Build quality is excellent, no complaints. It rumbles and vibrates a bit, but I like that. Fueling is spot on, no lean spots and the exhaust is surprisingly loud, as it doesnt need to meet Euro regs.

@martinhughes-games8541

Ай бұрын

Very interesting- thanks for reply. Perhaps I should save up a bit- I don’t think they are that expensive really- many Ducati etc much more expensive? I hope you continue to enjoy your Norton

@Merch131ho

Ай бұрын

@@martinhughes-games8541 The price is lower now, with 2024 dealer contribution and another 1500 off if you p'x any bike.

They are not following whats popular. £45k sports bikes and cafe racers are not selling like adventure or enduro bikes. Then the price is an epic issue, Ducati make £10k bikes and £80k bikes. Buying into the brand is achievable. Where as with Norton it's £17k. They need a 600cc adventure bike retailing at £10k. The Cayenne saved Porsche from oblivion so they need to re-imagine the brand.

As has been said here already, way overpriced, especially the V4s, they are a ludicrous price. No one is going to absorb those sort of losses for long, even for an iconic name, so TVS must have a radical strategic plan to develop the company. It's slightly unfair to make a comparison with Triumph, but they are one of Nortons main competitors, just take a look at Triumphs latest machine, the Speed 400 and the scrambler version, for £5000 it's insane value for money, so much so that it's basically sold out until October!! I decided to buy one 3 weeks back and was very lucky to find one, and even then it's from a dealer 200 miles away who is so busy that he can't even pdi and reg it until this week!! Thats what Norton is up against. Norton's current range is not only very over priced, it's also dated, so the ONLY way forward is by getting a completely new, bang upto date range to market. Even if they have been working on that since they took control it's going to be at least 4 to 5 years to do it. Well I wish them luck, I would like to see them succeed, but they have an almighty job on their hands. John Bloor did it with Triumph, but times were very different back then.

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for taking time to comment. I do believe Norton are working on new models, I think the Commando is just a stop-gap to get the factory up and running, build a supplier base etc until they can get the new models out. I think also they will always be a premium brand, I don't think their strategy is to go for the mass market. Will be interesting to see if that is the right way to go! Cheers. Jonathan

Great vid and insight. IMO they need to improve quality, drop prices, and expand the range. MV & Ducati have shown theres a market for niche high price bikes but even 44k is a big ol stretch. Make it £25k ish and I think it would have a huge impact. And as others have mentioned, something like an old school 500 single would be almost unique and very tempting. Fingers crossed.

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Thank you for the feedback

Royal Enfield found the right formula, though it did take them quite a long time to develop. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!. Don't try to re-invent the wheel.

They have to produce a bike under 10k. That gets people into the brand. There's a limited amount of people that can afford 45k bike! Or even a 15k bike when they grow out of their beginner bike. I ride Yamaha because I started on a Yamaha! And plus i can get more bike for less money! And more reliable!!!

they're gonna need some very special bikes to come on line soon

An interesting analysis of the published figures. TVS must be a very cash rich company to keep throwing money at the Norton brand. It's even more amazing that old Norton under Garner managed to produce bikes with a fraction of the budget (lets not get into where he got the money from!) A range of bikes that are emissions compliant are bady needed. The UK premium market just isn't big enough. They need to be selling bikes worldwide.

@richardsimpson3792

Ай бұрын

If you knew how they were built, you'd be even more amazed. They issued spurious 'recalls' on customers' bikes for 'paint issues' then stripped them down and used the parts to finish other 'new' bikes. SFAIK all the V4s thrown together at the Norton call centre have been deemed unroadworthy and unfixable. Yet Mr Garner didn't get jailed, and his sidekick got a job at 'new' Norton. If you want a sporty V4 bike, go to your local Aprilia dealer.

@MH-xd2nd

Ай бұрын

I love the name but hope it fails. It should remain in the past. Its recent history is a disgusting mess and the best thing that could happen is for us to remember the brand for what it was historically.

Looking at the How Many Left website shows the following new UK registrations in 2023 calendar year - 31 V4 SV’s, 134 Commando 961 SP’s & 9 CR’s, total 174. I have no idea if this includes bikes pre-registered at dealers.

@jfro5867

Ай бұрын

I expect it would, if they are registered they must be in there.

I see your point but I have doubts that TVS did their market research properly on this. The target buyer would be about my age , late 60's who might have had a Commando or hankered after oe in their youth and mostly we are thinking about giving up riding motorcycles. Besides this I have see a few road tests that are less than complementary about the bikes.

@jfro5867

Ай бұрын

Yea agree. I’m 55 and have been riding for about 33-34 years or so but Norton means nowt to me, not really. My first ‘big’ bike was an imported 1980 Suzuki GS750L that I ran around on for ages. It was about ten years old by the time I got it. Brit bikes were never even on my radar as an option, they were for old men with grey beards and wax jackets. Enthusiasts bikes. I and all my peers wanted the Jap stuff. I think it’s my dad’s generation (he’s 84) that really chimes with the name. To me Nortons are nothing more than black & white photographs on a pub wall.

They desperately need more dealerships, people are not going to travel a large distance to buy a motorcycle or to get it serviced or repaired. That's my opinion.

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for your comment. Not sure if I remember correctly, but wasn't the factory doing a collection/return service for servicing? I might have imagined that though!

@Achilles22

Ай бұрын

Would you want to sell these white elephants??

Very interesting & well presented. Thank you....

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Thank you Steve

Perhaps a more retro design with new tech as so many others are doing,instead of the current look ma am quite modern too approach

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Hi Paul, thanks for your comment. It’ll be interesting to see the new models. Hopefully later this year, maybe at the UK motorbike show, Motorcycle Live. Cheers. Jonathan

Dear Norton, watch all the reviews, address the vibe issues and add a sixth gear next time. And make the upcoming Commando MORE vintage and MORE British; Hagon shocks, Harrison brakes maybe? Create details, (gauges, switches) like vintage jewelry, and please, chromed metal fenders only. At all costs keep it air cooled like R.E., unlike Triumph/BSA. And if it's not more beautiful than the beauty you make now, don't bother - your niche are buyers who want to fawn over their bikes.

Could i say that japen bikes have increased in prices greatly over the last 3 to 4 years while the japeneze yen has fallen 35 to 40 percent against the US dollar, the japaneze bike makers deal in "Yen" and as such must be making a fortune... that pisses me off to no end... dave Arizona

Very interesting.Aston Martin are in the same boat.Massive losses per new car due high refinancing costs.

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Great point! Thanks for your comment

Produce the Dominator 916 as an everyday cafe racer at a sensible price, start with an affordable base model for your average motorcycle rider with the option to upgrade components if you can afford. Every one loves the brand but can’t always justify the cost. They will fly out the dealerships.

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Hi Steve thanks for your comments. I wish they would bring back the Dominator. Upgrades would be great too if only that was an option.

There was a £3850 dealer margin on the old commander give or take extras Stu sold if this helps

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the info!

They have to start making a 650cc bike, in the price range of the Triumph Trident. With the engines TVS is making that would not be a problem.

Norton, a name I know since childhood, but never seen one and I am near fifty years old. Sure, I live in the province of Quebec, not a motorbike place, but still, I saw low selling bikes like Buell, Moto Guzzi, Triumph and what not… but never a Norton. A few there must be around, but so low in quantity it gives an idea of the poor sale overall.

Go the Indian route, imagine a 2024 International look alike in an updated featherbed frame, this would give the new Goldie a run for its money.

I thought the role of the UK factory was to raise the profile of the brand while the owner in India developed a new range of cheaper mass produced bikes in factories in India. Where are the new models ??

Those admin costs are supporting the Commando which is a bike nobody wants. They would have been better to take the commando offline and incubate new models for a while instead and setup future distribution channels.

They missed a chance with the Atlas 650 and Ranger. Non existent range .

Norton should team up with Triumph and Villiers, maybe call the company, NVT?

A$30,000 for an Indian made Norton? What are they smoking? You can buy a new BMW GS for that. To ask a premium price you need a premium bike. Here in Australia the Consumer Law requires a statutory warranty of 10 years, and parts and servicing for that time as well. That knocks out the crap from the market.

Starter companies mostly run at a substantial loss for many years, sometimes decades. Just look at Zero Motorcycles books, and they're still in business. Norton can't even get the turning cycle on the Commando right. Their bikes are mainly form over function. And thats one of their main problems.

They need to come up with new models , they haven't got forever which appears to be the management mentality

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Hi thanks for your comment. Hopefully we'll see new models released soon!

Obviously Norton would need a new model range to be able to earn some money. The 961, looking as lovely as it is, wouldn’t attract a 20 year old buyer. They desperately need a model range going from 400 cc and up and in the same time looking less back in time as they so far have been.

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Thanks for your comments. Cheers.

I for one have been doing my part by pinging Norton every time they try to sell me a T-shirt, can I get a bike to go with it please, still not selling across the pond

As per my understanding tvs need take action tvs need to take control

Will tvs put more money into norton?? Yes. I'm saying because all major indian automobile companies owns an internationally reputed brand. Mahindra has Italian company, tata has British, bajaj has Austrian one, hero had American one . These are examples. It's part of their strategy. Tvs won't given up on Norton. Maybe they'll launch a Norton sub brand for mid weight motorcycles.

@NortonUnofficial

23 күн бұрын

Thanks for your comments. TBS just invested another £3.5 million which I think shows their ongoing commitment to the brand. Cheers

If a 72 norton cost $2000 in 72 - that is equivalent to a bike that costs $15,500 today (in 2024)

I would so like to come full circle and have a new Commando. My first (legal) road bike was a 1973 850. At 15.5 years old you can imagine what a thrill that was. Now at 68 years old I would be just as thrilled to have a modern version. They have done a great job of making that bike look so "original". I do think they should be able to get another 10 to 15 HP out of it without to much trouble. That would make it easier to justify the price. Getting dealers in the States could be a little tricky these days but with deep pockets they can do it. Hurry up please !! I will offer my services at my local superstore dealer to get it going for free!!

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Hi Tony thanks for your comments. Hopefully not too long to wait! I've found the 80 ish HP in my Commando and Dominator plenty for the type of riding I do, both will sit on the motorway easy enough at 70mph, and theres plenty of torque for riding around country roads. Cheers. Jonathan

@jimtitt3571

Ай бұрын

And there's the problem, I too owned a Commando, a Bonneville and such like in my younger days (I'm 71) and I have no interest in owning any of them again, we lusted after them and bought them because they were the best at the time, nowadays I would be looking at a Superduke or a Panigale if I wanted yet another road bike. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be! And we are a dying generation.

@tonyciriello6872

Ай бұрын

Yes, but my brain still thinks I'm 30.​@@jimtitt3571

@tonyciriello6872

Ай бұрын

@@jimtitt3571 Yes Jim, but my brain still thinks i'm 30 so I got a 2019 FTR and it is awesome for me. No range but I can't ride to far anyway. Not dead yet !!

I wouldn’t buy a new Norton for over £5k…they’re just not a competitive offering. Having previously owned a 650ss and a Fastback Commando I’d buy a classic again and a with the change a green laner

It's easy. To many different bikes too soon.

Number of bikes registered in 2024 was 154 and this would include dealer demos and the bikes they have for the team

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Shaun is that registered in 5 months to May 2024? I was trying to estimate bikes sold April 2023 to March 2024, the twelve month period.

@shauntaylor4912

Ай бұрын

I am told by an industry insider the 154 number is total 2023 Norton registrations, but it would not include unregistered bikes sold into dealer stock. Critically remember the 2023 registrations include the Commandos and V4 bikes allocated to NUML creditors, these are distressed sales not new customers coming into the brand. Did you spot the delivery mileage V4SV listed on eBay with only 2 miles recorded on it, listed now for £31k, this tells you way more about the state of Norton the the accounts.

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Thanks. I guess I wasn't a million miles away at my 200-250 number, 2 or 3 bikes unregistered stock at each dealer would be about 25, on top of the 154 gets to about 180. So I was in the ballpark. Pretty low numbers overall. I doubt the 961 LE's will improve things much. I'm hoping for new models soon!

@shauntaylor4912

Ай бұрын

@@NortonUnofficial Commando owners treated in the same was as V4SS owners with do not ride notice on the Garner era bikes, like the V4SS you can see the impact on the secondary market valuations. Ironically the only bikes with strong residual values and actually selling on the secondary market the Dominator and Domiracer from the Garner era, they have poisoned there own well.

As a avid biker . I’m disgusted to the back teeth regarding this shambles of a company ? From gardener to this state now ? Uk government idiots to all that sucked the life out of one of the world leading motorcycling company on the planet . I’ struggle with this shower of shite . What a loss

3:35 - this is where they lost from the get-go - "premium motorcycle market" There is simply not enough "premium" motorcycling enthusiasts to support the company like Norton.

Too expensive. Build a Norton commando like the old one in India. They are dead ducks the way they are atm.

I can afford a new Royal enfield but not a norton and one wonders why they are going south

Lots of new indian made models coming . The 961 is amazing. But unfortunately is the last bike ever to be manufactured in England. By any manufacturer. Love mine.

@jfro5867

19 күн бұрын

Apart from CCM built in Bolton….

@davidforsdike4343

19 күн бұрын

@@jfro5867 They don't build engines .

@jfro5867

18 күн бұрын

@@davidforsdike4343 potato-potatoe. Norton don’t build Ohlins forks or Brembo brakes. Think you are assigning too much romance to what they are doing, this Indian owned and entirely financed enterprise with an American engine.

@davidforsdike4343

18 күн бұрын

@jfro5867 I am a subcontractor to Norton. So is important to me.

Richard Arnold ex Ceo at Man utd (5.2m severance pay) given a top job @ Norton!?

I’ll put my Triumph T120 up against the modern Commando any day….🏍

Atlas should have been priority, not overpriced tat...bread and butter bikes,like Monsters were to Ducati

Norton should change the game and lease their bikes and open cycle shops in the empty shopping centres unit to advertise their products. Leasing locks people in servicing and maintenance and Norton gets the profit , not some back alley fly by night . Stop hiding and start showing of a quality product at an affordable and save long term payment plan that doesn’t end with customer feeling they’re being ripped off . My friend bought a brand new £20,000 ,30 months ago and took it back to the dealer for a trade in for another one and was told “ We Don’t want your bike “ the bike has 8,000 miles and in mint condition . Norton has to stop the rot by changing the game .

They should have made a better motorcycle 😊

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Thanks for your comment. To be fair there is a lot of positive reviews of the new Commando out there now.

Theyve got one of the worlds best brands.

Hey, charlie is really expensive these days.

Looking at the numbers and sales , firstly Norton needs to move their production to India TVS plant and start producing smaller capacity motorcycles in the same brand name just like how Triumph 400s is doing with Bajaj and BMW 310s with TVS ,these lower segment affordable motorcycles will be the bread and butter for survival of the brand ,the premium and higher segment can continue in parallel with it.If they can't come out of the bubble and ego of Norton being a highly premium brand to the likes of Brough Superior and Hellcat and Rolls Royce of motorcycles image , in all possibilities that they will have to shut shop ,if TVS does not take steps in shifting production soon to cheaper locations, which they are highly capable technically and financially , Norton may soon be history again, they need to go the Royal Enfield way to survive.

Complete waste of time and money, the bikes are way too expensive, only a few models on offer and the biggest problem is that they are built in England. Bring more models online, move production to Thailand and half the price of the machines, if it stops in the UK, it’ll go down the pan again!!

@AndyPat239

Ай бұрын

yeah I second that. Thais can make good vehicles. It won't be British but at least the marque is kept alive 😊

They need 5 years interim jobs at China and manufacturing practice at India .

Don't put sky high prices on your machines < you may sell more

It’s Not a Norton it’s tonka toy bike I would rather ride RE himi

Stop making bikes for millionaires, try making them for genuine bikers who buy the other marques available. Something around 6 to 8 grand is nearer the mark, no frills just an honest usable bike.

Yeah well who has a billion dollars to spend on a motorcycle? No wonder.

Should not develop Norton bikes only as exclusive, niche bling. Make an array of models for the ordinary people and rebuild and strengthen the brand from there.

Nobody is buying bikes anymore

The question is how much tax fraud is happening here. Sure there’s not much earnings, but there’s not much engagement in making proper business, either. So what’s the purpose of this operation? A hobby? Even a hobby does better, maybe smaller then. Positively maintaining a brand to be used later for TVS creations? Like the crappy 125 and 300cc bikes coming to europe right now? Odd, too. Wanna maintain the rich boy’s toys niche? Then build some proper dreams for them, MV is struggling with their vision, too. Look at Curtiss - pure decades long fraud, Brough-Superior? Are we seeing Norton being Heskethed, too? It is already? Yeah. If in doubt and you want a real Norton, go to andover norton. Solid craftmanship, parts support and proper historic. The market in Europe for European models is shrinking. TVS will survive it, as they have and will build more global bikes - TVS, not Nortons. Compare it to Morini, MVAgusta, Curtiss, Brough Superior, BSA, AJP, …, MZ (in early 2000s), Voxan, Mondial, …, and Triumph’s beginnings out of an oil leak. Look at Indian by Polaris, Horex, Münch. Absolutely forget comparisons with KTM, Ducati, …, their transformation is far too aged and uncomparable. Look at a Brand with a Name, no relevant execution, zero success and weird uncompetitive models, costly in production.

I smell a rat……. again.

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for your comment. Personally I don't think so, not this time. There's too much at stake from TVS point of view, they can't afford any scandal. They have deep pockets, from what I've seen of the investment going in, TVS are in it for the long haul. Cheers. Jonathan.

@J.Harry.T

Ай бұрын

@@NortonUnofficial I honestly hope you are right. I admit that I cannot actually see the dead rat, but I cannot understand how there is a positive outcome within the foreseeable future. Over three years they have lost £70 million, plus whatever it cost to buy the rights to the name (I accept that probably wasn’t much). They are currently losing £6000 on every bike they sell, so the £70 million is going to continue to get bigger before it gets smaller. Even if the losses remained at the current level (I cannot actually see how) and they managed to somehow work a miracle and turn the £6000 loss per bike into a £500 profit, they would need to sell 140,000 bikes to reach break even point. To put that into perspective Ducati sell 58000 bikes per year and Triumph 49000. However, the reality is that the current £ 70 million loss is inevitably going to get much bigger, a profit of £500 per bike is, at the moment, a distant pipe-dream and sales are currently in the low hundreds. Best wishes and thanks for the video. JT.

Way overpriced. Plenty of better options. Won't last long.

Get a mk3 850 take the engine out and put in their twin engine, put rightway up forks and good brakes in. 961 just another cafe racer. Moto guzzi another brand name who makes uninteresting bikes now, we want a lemans, or T3. We want a comfotarble seat as well. No market research only enthusiast who want to build specials in the shed. Just go buy a 850 mk3. Triumph have lost credibility with crappy gearboxes on the T100, which they dont want to put their hands up to. Back to the good old bad days of British bike manufacturing. Wake up Bloor.

Norton must be the most jinxed make in the world,years spent developing wankel engines,then going from one owner to another with white elephants like the Nemisis v8 and then the Garner debacle . TVS have bought themselves a money pit,and although they can afford it, I cannot see anyway back into mainstream motorcycling for the Norton brand , it is too damaged, and is now just a low volume boutique brand.Moreover the motorcycle market is already crowded with heritage brands.

give it three years, allow the product to be sold in more territories before you write them off . and it's 'pounds' plural.

Why am I not surprised by this! They're producing a motorcycle(s) no one wants. Financially, none of this makes any sense at all.

You use the phrase stop gap measure too much like you are trying to convince yourself.

Low power, overweight, overpriced, no chance Norton. There are much better bikes for sale 17k is a joke!

Their bikes are grossly overpriced, overhyped, poor standard and frankly not very good!

@NortonUnofficial

Ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for your comment. I suspect the current models are just a “stop gap” to get the factory up and running, get experience making bikes, build the supplier network, that kind of thing. Hopefully new models are on the way soon. I’ve enjoyed riding my Commando 961, although it’s an earlier Donnington model. It’s a completely different experience to anything else I’ve ridden. Ride safe. Cheers. Jonathan.

Hi Norton 😊 iv always wanted one of your bikes but can't even afford a bandit. But if you want to create more sales investigate how to lower manufacturing with all suppliers your entry bike starts at 17 grand I think going on of upwards of 44 grand only millionaires can afford such bikes if you negotiate with all suppliers to bring cost down and pass those savings onto the fortunate few I'm sure you'll take less of a hit in future. 😉 Regards Tony