I see a punter who has a confirmed V4SS Norton order on eBay
Discussion
I'm not sure there's a legal basis for that but I'm also not sure there's a will from Norton to get legal.
I've got a firm order for #50 of the 200 and have no intention of selling it but talking to them it seems these SS models do become instantly collectible. I'm wondering why this seller is saying most are going abroad, perhaps in an effort to tempt people into thinking they'll never get another chance?
Odd thing is from my conversations with the factory I don't expect to see mine before the summer, which is cool because I want it to be right, but there must be several of the other 198 that could have change in circumstances before the bike is ready and selling for face value or a smaller hike.
Also, with McPint potentially riding one to victory at this year's TT it might be a bit premature to cash in anyway.
I've got a firm order for #50 of the 200 and have no intention of selling it but talking to them it seems these SS models do become instantly collectible. I'm wondering why this seller is saying most are going abroad, perhaps in an effort to tempt people into thinking they'll never get another chance?
Odd thing is from my conversations with the factory I don't expect to see mine before the summer, which is cool because I want it to be right, but there must be several of the other 198 that could have change in circumstances before the bike is ready and selling for face value or a smaller hike.
Also, with McPint potentially riding one to victory at this year's TT it might be a bit premature to cash in anyway.
Interesting you say not worth it. If you take a visit to the factory and see the manufacturing of this, and the passion that Simon Skinner has you might think again. At 44k you get a handmade bike with fully carbon fibre fairing and tank (tank!), wheels. Beautiful handmade titanium exhaust and the kicker for me is that Simon designed this thing with an open cheque book so it's basically the best thing Norton was capable of building including that1200cc Norton designed V4 (with GP factory help) and all the electronics, top line Ohlins too. The list goes on -- that billet swinging arm and the bits of billet around the frame where it bolts in and other stuff too.
Value is a personal thing, but to my thinking this is really a bit of a bargain at the money. I can't think of another low volume handmade bike never mind with the provenance of Norton behind it. Even the RR version with a bit less billet is 90% the bike it seems, and that' s just 27k which is mass produced Ducati / BMW money.
Now all we need is for J McG to take one to the IoM podium later this year and I'll be fully made up
Value is a personal thing, but to my thinking this is really a bit of a bargain at the money. I can't think of another low volume handmade bike never mind with the provenance of Norton behind it. Even the RR version with a bit less billet is 90% the bike it seems, and that' s just 27k which is mass produced Ducati / BMW money.
Now all we need is for J McG to take one to the IoM podium later this year and I'll be fully made up
It's such a shame that there is nothing in terms of updates / news coming out of the factory on their progress. People that have had deposits down for over a year are still no nearer to understanding when their bike might arrive.
The Norton marketing department have really missed a trick with this and drip feed information specific to your order could be coming out which would hold the buyers interest and also maintain the excitement, rather than the feeling of frustration that currently abounds.
A bit of test mule news in MCN a few months ago and that's all we've had. No wonder there have been heads turned in the direction of an Italian V4 which is actually available.
The Norton marketing department have really missed a trick with this and drip feed information specific to your order could be coming out which would hold the buyers interest and also maintain the excitement, rather than the feeling of frustration that currently abounds.
A bit of test mule news in MCN a few months ago and that's all we've had. No wonder there have been heads turned in the direction of an Italian V4 which is actually available.
I somewhat agree, in fact more than somewhat. There is information in terms of a periodic email from the factory that I've been getting ever since I had my deposit down -- maybe you're not on the list? But I find the factory are pretty good at responding when asked.
Although you'd have thought the magazines and websites would be really keen to highlight any updates.
My understanding is that the production 1200s are soon to be built and hopefully there'll be some road tests and dyno charts in the coming month or two.
Although you'd have thought the magazines and websites would be really keen to highlight any updates.
My understanding is that the production 1200s are soon to be built and hopefully there'll be some road tests and dyno charts in the coming month or two.
Even so, I'd say they're missing a trick in terms of generating interest and gelling with their deposit-base.
A nicely-written email/press release about a different bike component every 6-8 weeks would be great (engine, swingarm, tank) detailing production, design etc with some nice piccies.
Keeps the punters interested, generates some public lust.
FWIW it does seem like the RR is a bit of a bargain if it's 90% the bike of the SS.
A nicely-written email/press release about a different bike component every 6-8 weeks would be great (engine, swingarm, tank) detailing production, design etc with some nice piccies.
Keeps the punters interested, generates some public lust.
FWIW it does seem like the RR is a bit of a bargain if it's 90% the bike of the SS.
Krikkit said:
Even so, I'd say they're missing a trick in terms of generating interest and gelling with their deposit-base.
Unless, as pointed out previously, these bikes are (relatively speaking) somewhat of a bargain, and Norton don't have the time to pull engineers off the bike building to provide expert opinion on press releases?Just a thought.
The SS comes with the customer spec in terms of Titanium exhaust, chrome or not, carbon wheels or not, for the fixed price. So if you went for all the cost options on both you'd end up within a few thousands of the SS but it wouldn't be an SS.
But the basic RR has as I understand it the same engine, electronics, suspension, frame geometry so from the seat it would possibly be difficult to know which you were on.
But the basic RR has as I understand it the same engine, electronics, suspension, frame geometry so from the seat it would possibly be difficult to know which you were on.
Krikkit said:
Even so, I'd say they're missing a trick in terms of generating interest and gelling with their deposit-base.
A nicely-written email/press release about a different bike component every 6-8 weeks would be great (engine, swingarm, tank) detailing production, design etc with some nice piccies.
Keeps the punters interested, generates some public lust.
Couldn't agree more.A nicely-written email/press release about a different bike component every 6-8 weeks would be great (engine, swingarm, tank) detailing production, design etc with some nice piccies.
Keeps the punters interested, generates some public lust.
Prof Prolapse said:
Krikkit said:
Even so, I'd say they're missing a trick in terms of generating interest and gelling with their deposit-base.
Unless, as pointed out previously, these bikes are (relatively speaking) somewhat of a bargain, and Norton don't have the time to pull engineers off the bike building to provide expert opinion on press releases?Just a thought.
It hardly needs to be brain surgery, and a screenshot from a render, maybe a photo during machining/finishing and the finished article on a prototype bike would be all you'd need.
They did feature just that -- a few castings/machined parts as an update in MCN a few months back, but absolutely a few more would be great.
There's no shortage of progress at the factory that's for sure, I've been up there twice now looking at how the development is going and there's some awesome stuff being made.
I think the final bits of engine are being sourced/manufactured at the moment but there are shelves full of bits so I don't doubt once the first one comes out they'll start getting a bit of momentum. Intererstingly there was small team of guys making and taking apart one to learn / invent the processes of assembly. It reminded me when I was a kid and learned perfectly whatever lego set I was obsessing with at the time.
There's no shortage of progress at the factory that's for sure, I've been up there twice now looking at how the development is going and there's some awesome stuff being made.
I think the final bits of engine are being sourced/manufactured at the moment but there are shelves full of bits so I don't doubt once the first one comes out they'll start getting a bit of momentum. Intererstingly there was small team of guys making and taking apart one to learn / invent the processes of assembly. It reminded me when I was a kid and learned perfectly whatever lego set I was obsessing with at the time.
Krikkit said:
If they are flat out you're probably right, but how long would it take a marketeer to sit down and make a few email-worthy notes on a component? 10 minutes? 20?
It hardly needs to be brain surgery, and a screenshot from a render, maybe a photo during machining/finishing and the finished article on a prototype bike would be all you'd need.
Maybe.It hardly needs to be brain surgery, and a screenshot from a render, maybe a photo during machining/finishing and the finished article on a prototype bike would be all you'd need.
I just keep thinking of an explanation I read many years ago in "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance", which has been echo'd by my engineering friends since, where the author explains that the only person they can afford to pull of the job to write the instructions, is the s
ttest person there. That's why instructions are usually st.I can't help but wonder if press releases in smaller companies are the same. In which case, you'd probably rather they just got on with it!
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff