Have you got yours yet?

According to Stuart Garner, deliveries of the first batch of Commando 961 SE's should be starting soon. Are you the first? Who will be first to write a personal review of their new Norton?

The NOC would like to run a feature article in Roadholder on the first 961 to be delivered.  Please let us know if it is you.

I thought they were starting to roll out the door in September! No sign of even 1 rolling out the door yet then.

I did see somewhere else that extensive road testing was being carried out, where? surprised the motorcycle media or indeed any motorcyclist hasn't seen one yet.

Concerned of Scotland!

Hello Gino,  not many people even  know that Nortons are building bikes again  in East Yorkshire? yours Anna j Dixon

Having seen the new Norton Commando 961se in the flesh and buying one I can honestly say it is a fantastic design with extremely high component and build quality. The first few bikes are due to be complete and delivered to customers in the next couple of weeks, unfortunately mine is not in the first batch!
However I should get mine during April, can't wait! 

Stuart Garner and the whole of his team should be commended by all for bringing Norton back to England and building the company to the point of producing an iconic motorcycle brand.

Anna, When did Donington racing circuit (That's where the Norton factory is) move from Leicestershire to East Yorkshire?

Hello Simon,  I was talking about the biking populus in east yorkshire, not that the factory had moved! But it would not be a bad idea? And as for fantastic design - I don't think so - It's out of date before you buy one, I will stick to my Bracebridge street built Norton Manxman 650 all original As the Featherbed frame is still in big demand even after 60 years may be someone will have the sense to build a 961 SE engine into a Featherbed frame?  it would look nice sprayed polychromatic blue and red seat and chrome mudguards with spoke wheels and disc brakes , Did you know the First Disc brakes on a motorcycle was built by my great uncle Fredde Dixon in 1923 and fitted to the Dougles Banking sidecar which he won the frist ever sidecar race in the IOM TT - And he designed the Banking sidecar too! (Now at the NMM Birmingham) yours   Anna J Dixon

YES !

Finally picked my new Commando up from the factory today after 6 months wait.

Good for you.                                                                                                                                           You say after 6 months wait, when did you place the order? I ordered mine in june last year at the Donnington golden jubilee. I've been given number 52 and today they tell me it will be build end May early June. So my wait will be almost a year. 

Previously wrote:

YES !

Finally picked my new Commando up from the factory today after 6 months wait.

 Congratulations, come on!! What's it like?

Richard, I bought a cancelled order therefore I jumped the up the waiting list. Mine is number 3 which is the lowest numbered bike to be sold to the public as Norton are keeping bikes numbered 1 & 2

Managed to get about 50 miles on it last night and my first impression is that when it is run in it will be a great machine, at the moment I am keeping the revs down to only 3500-4000rpm. I will be in a better position to comment fully when I have fully run it in.

Previously wrote:

Previously wrote:

YES !

Finally picked my new Commando up from the factory today after 6 months wait.

 Congratulations, come on!! What's it like?

 Article in Roadholder June edition!

I enjoyed the quick write up in Roadholder today Simon.  Have you had a chance to run it in / use higher revs yet?

The EC were at the factory on Sunday and there were about twenty completed bikes built waiting to go to to customers.

There was also a bike in for a service.

They are out there!

Hi there,

I am a new member, joined in the anticipation of the arrival of my 961 Sport. I am a very unhappy bunny.

Ordered and paid deposit in early Jan 2010, then heard....nothing. Only after a string of eMail prompts did I even get an official letter of recognition of my deposit, a receipt. Promise of delivery April. April arrives, not a sound. Email again, ahh, yes some delays, but it should be ready for the "summer". EMail again in May, ahh a 6 weeks delay.....

Nothing heard again until another eMail prompt from me - ahh yes you will shortly be receiving a letter outlining registration. It arrived a few days later. Pay up now in full, oh and by the way we need your insurance certificate to register with DVLA, then you will get your bike in upto 10 working days after details sent to Swansea. I adhered to the rules, and in late June paid by c card and sorted insurance, hoping for a mid July collection. Sold 2 bikes to pay for it, so left with no mount...

Got an eMail 2 weeks ago "It has become apparent that we have a short term supply issue with a few parts specific to your model and this has caused us a slight delay in production.
We are however using this time to make sure your bike will be supplied and fitted with the new external gear linkage system that we have been evaluating, this will further improve your Commando and make gear selection as smooth as we initially intended."

Despite 3 further emails asking when do they expect it to be "born", they just trot out the same corporate response above, so I am no clearer as to when the bike will be delivered.

Whilst they deserve our full support, and I await in anticipation, their customer support and attitude seems to have taken a leaf from the old NVT days in the 1970's, and we all know where that ended up.

Not a good start.

I will keep you all informed

Regards

Bob Beard

Hi

I have found the same story as you have told.  I also ordered the bike last year and as one of the organisers of the National Rally had been told I would get my bike so it could be displayed, this came from Stuart himself!  I am now told of delays in getting engines, but while they are waiting, yes they are doing the new style gear linkage.

I have been promised the bike for Norton Day!

The only good thing I can say is that a friend of mine has one and it is fully run in.  He as put the new style silencers on it and he is now grinning and very happy.  He also had problems with communications but when it all came together and now is very happy. 

Perhaps a member of the exec could have a word with Stuart, and get him to tell them exactly what is happening. 

It would seem that as so many parts/components are being bought in stuart is at the hands of others.  Also that as they seem to be selling well the firms the items are coming from are struggling to keep up.

Now is the time for Stuart to state publically that new Nortons ordered today won't be with you for about 12 months.

Ian

Hi

What number bike is yours please?

What was the start build date?

I was told it would be about three weeks from start to collection.

Ian 

Previously wrote:

The EC were at the factory on Sunday and there were about twenty completed bikes built waiting to go to to customers.

There was also a bike in for a service.

 

They are out there!

Dear Ian

As Editor of Roadholder could you find out what is going on please.

Ian

Hi new member

hope to be getting my 961 sport in about 2 weeks fingers crossed !!

Steve

Hi there Ian,

Last week I was promised an answer as to the new build date today, but I didn't hold my breath, and guess what no answer! Their administration is a bit shambolic.

I too was told that there was an engine supply problem, but suspect that it's probably a bit more serious. I agree that the MD should get involved, and to at least be open as to what's really going on.

I have handed over all my hard earned cash, and have got insurance (fat lot of good that was). I have a frame number too and build date was w/c 5th July, and yes I was told that there was a 3 week wait from final payment to collection. I hope that my money is being held in an escrow account.

I will post as soon as I have an answer.

Regards Bob

Previously wrote:

Hi there Ian,

 

Last week I was promised an answer as to the new build date today, but I didn't hold my breath, and guess what no answer! Their administration is a bit shambolic.

I too was told that there was an engine supply problem, but suspect that it's probably a bit more serious. I agree that the MD should get involved, and to at least be open as to what's really going on.

I have handed over all my hard earned cash, and have got insurance (fat lot of good that was). I have a frame number too and build date was w/c 5th July, and yes I was told that there was a 3 week wait from final payment to collection. I hope that my money is being held in an escrow account.

I will post as soon as I have an answer.

Regards Bob

Hi Bob,

I read from your first post that you paid the balance by credit card. If that is the case, I believe your payment is protected by the card company should you not get your 961 in a reasonable time.

R.

All adds to the negative stories I've heard about comms and backup from the factory then?

So I'll ask once again, has anybody managed to do 1000 miles on one yet, can we have an honest appaisal?

Previously wrote:

All adds to the negative stories I've heard about comms and backup from the factory then?

So I'll ask once again, has anybody managed to do 1000 miles on one yet, can we have an honest appaisal?

Simon Jeffries has put plenty of miles on his (number 003) and is writing a report for Roadholder. 

Will be going down to factory Weds 11th to view my bike 961 sport #36  as per spec, a personal gaurentee from Katie and Stuart it would be ready if not full money back, DVLA next week then ride home ?.

Why have i got a bitter taste in my mouth , i'm fed up of false promises , bike or money back no if buts or maybe's

i've had enough

Steve Howson

Long waiting lists aren't confined to Norton of course... just be glad you didn't want one of these cars?

Top 10 Cars With Long Waiting Lists:

1. Aston Martin DBS: 28 months ($265,000 estimated)
2. Morgan Aeromax: 2 Years – sold out ($188,000)
3. Ferrari F430 Scuderia: 2 years ($201,213)
4. Ferrari F599 GTB Fiorano: 2 years ($264,034)
5. Lamborghini Murcielago LP640: 18 months ($311,100)
6. Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG: 18 months ($195,000)
7. Bentley Brooklands Coupe: 18 months ($340,000)
8. Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe: 15 months ($407,000)
9. Koenigsegg CCX: More than a year ($550,000)
10. Tesla Roadster: One year ($98,000)

Previously Peter White wrote:

Long waiting lists aren't confined to Norton of course... just be glad you didn't want one of these cars?

Top 10 Cars With Long Waiting Lists:

1. Aston Martin DBS: 28 months ($265,000 estimated)
2. Morgan Aeromax: 2 Years – sold out ($188,000)
3. Ferrari F430 Scuderia: 2 years ($201,213)
4. Ferrari F599 GTB Fiorano: 2 years ($264,034)
5. Lamborghini Murcielago LP640: 18 months ($311,100)
6. Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG: 18 months ($195,000)
7. Bentley Brooklands Coupe: 18 months ($340,000)
8. Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe: 15 months ($407,000)
9. Koenigsegg CCX: More than a year ($550,000)
10. Tesla Roadster: One year ($98,000)

Hi Peter,

The key thing here is that were you to order one of the cars mentioned you would know up front that this was the lead time. In the unlikely event that I could afford a 961 I would not complain about lead times or even delays as long as I was kept informed. It is better to promise late and deliver early.

Regards

Tony

I'm getting close to 14 months wait now and still don't know when I'll have my SE. The communication from the factory is bad. My mate who ordered his bike at the same time recently got an e-mail of them I got nothing. Last I heard of them was in June when they said they where having problems with homologation (Euro3 norm). Then again I only got some info after I asked them where my bike was.  So I ordered my bike June 19 last year , received a letter saying I paid the deposit and after that all I got was a card for New Year, all other info I got was after I asked . I must say that they replied quickly to the e-mails I send them.                                                                                                                            

Previously wrote:

Will be going down to factory Weds 11th to view my bike 961 sport #36  as per spec, a personal gaurentee from Katie and Stuart it would be ready if not full money back, DVLA next week then ride home ?.

Why have i got a bitter taste in my mouth , i'm fed up of false promises , bike or money back no if buts or maybe's 

Steve, 

Well done you, only that I am build number 14, and have heard ****** all for a week, you obviously have more influence than I! Did you see it in the flesh? Robert Beard

Previously wrote:

Previously wrote:

Will be going down to factory Weds 11th to view my bike 961 sport #36  as per spec, a personal gaurentee from Katie and Stuart it would be ready if not full money back, DVLA next week then ride home ?.

Why have i got a bitter taste in my mouth , i'm fed up of false promises , bike or money back no if buts or maybe's Steve, Well done you, only that I am build number 14, and have heard ****** all for a week, you obviously have more influence than I! Did you see it in the flesh? Robert Beard 

Hi Robert

Thanks for reply

Well i did go down to factory last Wednesday i did see most of my bike except the engine, seat unit and tank. after the usual escuses i was going into the office to get my money back but was promised an engine Friday , and bike next week  we will see i honestly believe i will get it.

my advice is to shout up pester them if possible go to factory and talk face to face, While i was there there were about 12 SE's with engines ready to be dispatched, i will keep you updated Robert. Keep in touch with your quest for your bike mate,

Steve