What do we think to the new Nortons

[bigdrew]

What do we think to the new Nortons? Has anyone seen one in the flesh?

https://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/en-gb

I was looking forward to something commando ish but a bit more reliable and nothing really hits the spot!

[catso]

Looks a bit Ducati-ish - an absolute no-no on the 'selfie-stick' number plate that seems to be trendy nowadays and I'm not sure those wheels would last long with those spindly spokes? Claimed stats seem OK, have they actually built any?

Would certainly want a bit more info before committing to buy one.

[iansp]

I saw them at the NEC Bike Show and whilst the Manx models look better in the metal than in pictures, to me as a Commando 850 MK2a and 961SP owner, they have no connection to Norton's heritage and they are not something that would interest me.

Norton say there are 2 more bikes still to be released but I do not know if they will be more heritage based or not.

[warnie]

I like the sport and naked bikes. The adventure bikes do nothing for me though.

Ditching the retro bikes is a wrong move, especially considering how popular those bikes are now.

[Neal H]

Norton has some great heritage and some retro machines alongside the modern bikes could turn them into a more upmarket Triumph with genuinely British built bikes. I quite like what they've done but I suspect the prices will be prohibitive. Would I pay more for a Norton sportsbike than a Ducati Panigale? No.

[Stevemtb]

If I was to drop the sort of money that Norton are going to be asking, it'll have a Ducati badge on it, very very small uptake on these I suspect.

[T6 vanman]

Loved the look and feel of the Manx at the NEC and it's making me question the purchase of my V2 Streetfighter, I'd sign up for a first edition (naked) were it not for having spent on that, the adventure bikes will need to be ultra competitive as the market is awash with options, I wish Norton well with the new models

[TwinKam]

I wish they still had the Dominator in the line up, what a stunning bit of kit, but apparently there are no plans to reintroduce it.

[Orchardab]

Their marketing and bike design is very cold and clinical.
I’m not a fan, but they may grow on me.
No link to the original brand, to me it’s just a name that does not mean much.
From the press release, doesn’t look like they have done much testing which would question their reliability.

[Bob_Defly]

I think they look great, and hope they are successful.

I can't afford one, but I'll buy a t-shirt.

[doogalman]

Love the way they have made all the panels devoid of fasteners. Very clean!
Reportedly the engine is built for torque so could be an interesting bike on the road.
Obviously not built with the track in mind and for many that buy them this could be a good thing as built more for the road.

[Bob_Defly]

Most of the growth is in the smaller engined market. Are they planning to launch a 400cc-600cc bike at some point?

[Merch131]

Bob_Defly said:

Most of the growth is in the smaller engined market. Are they planning to launch a 400cc-600cc bike at some point?

The Atlas range is 500cc ish. Norton have said they will launch 3 new 'platforms', I assume the future 3rd will be the new Commando... cc somewhere between 500 and 1200cc.

[crofty1984]

warnie said:

I like the sport and naked bikes. The adventure bikes do nothing for me though.

Ditching the retro bikes is a wrong move, especially considering how popular those bikes are now.

Yeah that's surprised me.

[Stevemtb]

The retro bike were hardly flying out the door were they? It was only when they did a £60 a month deal or thereabouts that any interest happened. That being said, they did look the part, but the reliability stories weren't the best.

[Birky_41]

Want to love them and in pictures... Beautiful

Sat on the new naked and just felt cheap in many places. Switch gear etc

A big expected price tag for a bike that doesn't even have electronic suspension