Norton 961 - The saga still unfolding

[Padmei]

I was interested in the 961s & wondering what teething problems they had experienced. First thing I saw was this investigative expose.
Interesting read - recommended.

http://www.bikerglory.com/2012/08/the-norton-saga/

Norton owners club discussion on them

http://www.nortonownersclub.org/noc-...cal6-961-forum

[Voltaire]

I think they pitched themselves a bit high, the Triumph Classic series may be low tech but they tick a lot of the boxes for a lot of people at a good price.
I though it was a bit sad they turn up at the TT with an Aprillia engined bike.....like 1907 all over again....
You a bit of a Norton fan...?

[Padmei]

I think they pitched themselves a bit high, the Triumph Classic series may be low tech but they tick a lot of the boxes for a lot of people at a good price.
I though it was a bit sad they turn up at the TT with an Aprillia engined bike.....like 1907 all over again....
You a bit of a Norton fan...?

I was sitting on the loo reading an old motorcycle trader with the pre-production blurb on them & got to thinking how they were selling, any new models etc etc. i was wondering if they came up with a generic type modern adv bike whether their historic appeal/status would move people to buy one instead of a GS/Ten/Strada/explorer etc.

Me, I like most bikes. Bmws hold enough trouble for me at the mo tho.

[AllanB]

If true they do not appear to have learnt their history lesson.

[Berries]

The first time I saw one of these was in some UK mags when they came out. Then I saw that TV programme where that guy Henry rides round all over the place and he was on one riding through the UK. Liked the look of them seeing as I am getting old and so it is on my shortlist of about five bikes for my next new purchase. Just hope they are still going and the landed price in NZ is within reason. I'm not one for believing everything I read on t'internet but it doesn't sound all that good does it?

[Motu]

Cord 810, Tucker, De Lorean - the story sounds exactly the same. The Norton 961 is going to be worth a small fortune in a few years....and may even have a movie made about it. Get your T shirt now, keep it in the wrapper.

[Kickaha]

There was one racing at the Sound of Thunder at Ruapuna in February, very nice in real life

[Voltaire]

Cord 810, Tucker, De Lorean - the story sounds exactly the same. The Norton 961 is going to be worth a small fortune in a few years....and may even have a movie made about it. Get your T shirt now, keep it in the wrapper.

I used to have a poster of the Cord 810, one of the coolest cars ever..Used to be one in Southwards and a DeLorean too......
The Norton would be more like the Hesketh and other duds like the RE5, NSU R0 80, .. its value in its collector status.
As you know cheap bikes provide just as much fun without the burden of matching numbers and all that bollocks.

[mulletman]

There was one racing at the Sound of Thunder at Ruapuna in February, very nice in real life

Like this...

[Big Dave]

How sad for those that stumped up the money.
Is it the name?

Really good journalism too.

[Phantom Limb]

Personally I love the Norton, but for safety's (servicing, parts support, reliability) sake I'd rather grab a Thruxton 900 and throw some of this goodness at it:

[Geeen]

Personally I love the Norton, but for safety's (servicing, parts support, reliability) sake I'd rather grab a Thruxton 900 and throw some of this goodness at it:

That is some really good goodness....

[Voltaire]

I had a Thruxton for a year, fun all rounder , now I just have an old BMW R 65 for work and a Pom bike in the shed for nice days...

[James Deuce]

Fantastic read. Imagine if Paul Owen had written it?

Very, very sad about this as the Norton was a genuinely interesting motorcycle.

[Ocean1]

Keep the salesmen out of the factory, they belong on the forecourt.