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The Norton V4 was hardly some retro classic homage thing - a lot of engineering went into that bike (and that engineering / testing was supported by other companies in the UK so it wasn't just knocking out something unproven that the stylist drew up). I worked with a couple of their guys and I'm sad to see them go.
mick_r
The Norton V4 was hardly some retro classic homage thing – a lot of engineering went into that bike (and that engineering / testing was supported by other companies in the UK so it wasn’t just knocking out something unproven that the stylist drew up)....
But it was unproven as far as its target market was concerned, ie people with the money for a luxury purchase and nostalgia for the brand. The trouble being their last memories of the brand.
It may have been better to aim at a lower price point and target younger people with no experience of Norton.
I can understand the nostalgia comments about the Commando etc, but not really the V4. I'll admit I'm an outsider to the motorbike scene, but it seemed to be aimed at the modern day TT fan / middle aged and affluent born again biker (not a Bert Scroggins fan from 60 years ago).
But I do agree it was just a huge chunk of cash compared to other established and very capable bikes. I think the younger and cheaper end of the market was never a viable option without an unachievable increase in production volumes. So I guess that all leads to where they are today....
Makes for grim reading.
The racing arm did alright for a while. But there was no chance expensive, quirky, unreliable, rotary engine bikes would outsell Fireblades!
Member
If you cant sell your product you go bust. Thats business really.
Selling them - and taking customers money - wasn't their issue: building and delivering them was.
Plenty rumours going around, and many customers and staff alike who were taken in by the charm and gravitas of Stuart Garner who feel a bit stupid, with hindsight.
Search Twitter for @notnorton_moto, and be prepared to need a few mugs of tea to read it all...
I still get served merch ads on Instagram - 60% off!
I'm assuming the 49% is a non-refundable deposit
The latest news yesterday was an owner went to pick up his (paid for, and delivered befoehand) £44k bike from the factory. It had gone back for a warranty repair on the paintwork.
What he found was a frame and engine, with a few ancillaries.Everything else had disappeared. The rumour was that the bits had been put onto an incomplete bike to be able to sell a new bike with the bits off his bike.
It doesn't get any better I'm afraid......
https://www.superbike.co.uk/article/norton-was-it-a-fraud-from-the-start
I didn't realise he's wrecked Spondon as well. What a sad end to a British Engineering firm.