Skip to main content
English French German Italian Spanish

Facts not speculation...

... would help Norton's reputation!

As could be read this month in a German motorcycle magazine, the reputation of NORTON MOTORCYCLES UK LTD is not as good as one would wish (seeattachment below for those who know a bit of German language). In my opinion, it would be much better for Norton UK and especially for its reputation, if they would admit that there was a problem with some motorcycles delivered whichhopefully is solved in the meantime for new deliveries. If Norton UK would approve the facts this could also prevent from all the speculations made in this forum especially about the reasons for excessive oil consumption and give future potential Norton buyers more confidence in this product.

Raphael Vonaesch, Switzerland

Attachments nortonmo_jan14-jpg
Permalink

Previously raphael_vonaesch wrote:

seeattachment below for those who know a bit of German language

For those that don't - a quick translation.

Norton resuscitated

The factthat one of the most evocative names in british motorcycling is only just getting back on itâs feet again,is due to the rights to the name having being scattered across the globe. In the last years Stuart Garner has broughtthem all back together again. This has enabled him to bring the design developed by the previous American rights owner for the new Commando back to the UK. The new Norton factory is situated very near to Donington Parkrace circuit, a good place to use to put a famous make back on itâs feet. Up till now the reputation of Norton has proved to be mediocre. The new 961cc twin looks fantastic, but disappoints itâs owners with itâs many teething problems. Triumph have proved with itâs range of modern classic twins, that it is possible to produce bulletproof examples of the genre.

Nortonhavesurprised with itâs fresh take on the Domiracer. This Clubman racer costing around 20000â? will have a limited production run of only 50. One of the German dealers is Thiel Motorsports based in Heilbronn. They should have a cure for the sickly british twin up their sleeve.

Caption to photo: A dream with small weaknesses. The beautiful Domiracer. The perfect motorcycle for the livingroom.

Permalink

Previously david_charlesworth wrote:

Previously raphael_vonaesch wrote:

seeattachment below for those who know a bit of German language

For those that don't - a quick translation.

Norton resuscitated

The factthat one of the most evocative names in british motorcycling is only just getting back on itâs feet again,is due to the rights to the name having being scattered across the globe. In the last years Stuart Garner has broughtthem all back together again. This has enabled him to bring the design developed by the previous American rights owner for the new Commando back to the UK. The new Norton factory is situated very near to Donington Parkrace circuit, a good place to use to put a famous make back on itâs feet. Up till now the reputation of Norton has proved to be mediocre. The new 961cc twin looks fantastic, but disappoints itâs owners with itâs many teething problems. Triumph have proved with itâs range of modern classic twins, that it is possible to produce bulletproof examples of the genre.

Nortonhavesurprised with itâs fresh take on the Domiracer. This Clubman racer costing around 20000â? will have a limited production run of only 50. One of the German dealers is Thiel Motorsports based in Heilbronn. They should have a cure for the sickly british twin up their sleeve.

Caption to photo: A dream with small weaknesses. The beautiful Domiracer. The perfect motorcycle for the livingroom.

Thanks for the translation David.

Cheers, John Mc

Permalink

Previously bob_parsons wrote:

Mine is in the family room ! laugh

Family room = living room, I hope yougot permissionfrom the boss firstsmiley

Permalink

Previously david_charlesworth wrote:

Previously bob_parsons wrote:

Mine is in the family room ! laugh

Family room = living room, I hope yougot permissionfrom the boss firstsmiley

She let the MV Augusta in, The Norton was a slam dunk !

Permalink

It is interesting that the article mentions Triumph and its early teething problems. I remember when they all leaked and three of them blew up during magazine tests. The article goes on to mention how they matured into bullet proof bikes today !

It seems no one has mentioned or noticed that the high oil consumption bikes discusssed here are a prototype ,two 2010-2011 models and I believetwo early2012's. I wonder how the 2013 bikes will fare and especially the late 2013's destined for thr US market which had several updates incorporated !

Permalink

Previously bob_parsons wrote:

It seems no one has mentioned or noticed that the high oil consumption bikes discusssed here are a prototype ,two 2010-2011 models and I believetwo early2012's. I wonder how the 2013 bikes will fare and especially the late 2013's destined for thr US market which had several updates incorporated !

Good point Bob, mine came off the production line in July 2012. I might be wrong but I think youmay bethe onlyuser who hasone produced in 2013. I sincerely hope that what ever the problem is/was has now been long sorted. As you correctly stated elsewhere the US market is very important for the future of Norton.

Permalink

Previously bob_parsons wrote:

It seems no one has mentioned or noticed that the high oil consumption bikes discusssed here are a prototype ,two 2010-2011 models and I believetwo early2012's. I wonder how the 2013 bikes will fare and especially the late 2013's destined for thr US market which had several updates incorporated !

Good Morning Bob

In Wiki can be read:"A prototype is something that is representative of a category of things, or an early engineering version of something to be tested."

What means, that before a product goes into series manufacturing, it may be a prototype and not after. But worst is, that Norton UK is not willing to pay for repairs and deliver spares for clear warranty issues! Yes, we are testing the bikes and should pay now for repairs which are necessary due to design faults... !!!

Where is Norton UK and Sean Kynnersley who once stated in another thread: "You can be assured the Norton Factory will NEVER abandon itâs valued riders." ???

Have a nice day... Raphael

Permalink

Raphael,

You have my sympathies. I know what it's like to receive, shall we say, unsatisfactory service from a business. It is very frustrating, especially when individuals directly and indirectly concerned choose to digress from the problems you are experiencing with exaggerated mis - information e.g all the new Triumphs leaking, engines blowing up etc. Irrelevant, pointless and trivialising your problem.

Not what you'd expect from club members.

Permalink

Where in the article does it mention Triumph's early teething problems? The only mention of Triumph I can see is

"Triumph have proved with itâs range of modern classic twins, that it is possible to produce bulletproof examples of the genre."

Permalink

Das ideale Motorrad fÃ?rs Wohnzimmer..The perfect motorcycle for the living room...

This must bethe most damning,evencaustic, comment a motorcycle can receive..

Permalink

Previously bennie_hulshof wrote:

Das ideale Motorrad fÃ?rs Wohnzimmer..The perfect motorcycle for the living room...

This must bethe most damning,evencaustic, comment a motorcycle can receive.

or taken in contextwith the rest of the captionit could also mean it is so good looking one could use it as an ornament in the living room. I'll let others draw their own conclusions as which is most appropriate.

Permalink

Previously raphael_vonaesch wrote:

But worst is, that Norton UK is not willing to pay for repairs and deliver spares for clear warranty issues! Yes, we are testing the bikes and should pay now for repairs which are necessary due to design faults... !!!

Where is Norton UK and Sean Kynnersley who once stated in another thread: "You can be assured the Norton Factory will NEVER abandon itâs valued riders." ???

Have a nice day... Raphael

If that is the case that really isvery poor service.

Permalink

Previously david_charlesworth wrote:

Previously raphael_vonaesch wrote:

But worst is, that Norton UK is not willing to pay for repairs and deliver spares for clear warranty issues! Yes, we are testing the bikes and should pay now for repairs which are necessary due to design faults... !!!

Where is Norton UK and Sean Kynnersley who once stated in another thread: "You can be assured the Norton Factory will NEVER abandon itâs valued riders." ???

Have a nice day... Raphael

If that is the case that really isvery poor service.

I can't speak for UK customers, but for the customers here in Switzerland (all in the sense of this thread's title 'facts...').

To put it clear, we have in Switzerland a very good service by our local dealer; but as I mentioned in another thread - the Mr Michel's nightmare one - my dealer is still in serious struggles with Norton UK, because he is not obtaining neither spare parts nor money for material or pay for manpower that he would need to serve us 961-owners over here for the not negligible number of warranty issues...

Raphael

Permalink

Previously david_charlesworth wrote:

Previously bennie_hulshof wrote:

Das ideale Motorrad fÃ?rs Wohnzimmer..The perfect motorcycle for the living room...

This must bethe most damning,evencaustic, comment a motorcycle can receive.

or taken in contextwith the rest of the captionit could also mean it is so good looking one could use it as an ornament in the living room. I'll let others draw their own conclusions as which is most appropriate.

Could be, but in the context of the whole article, a 20K cafÃ? racerwith heart problems ("HerzschwÃ?che"), so engine problems, mightindeed better beleft in the living room.

Permalink

Previously bennie_hulshof wrote:

Das ideale Motorrad fÃ?rs Wohnzimmer..The perfect motorcycle for the living room...

This must bethe most damning,evencaustic, comment a motorcycle can receive..

I stated mine is in the family room, that is the highest compliment that could be given, The article quotes the "Manx Beauty " several times!!

Permalink

Previously bennie_hulshof wrote:

Could be, but in the context of the whole article, a 20K cafÃ? racerwith heart problems ("HerzschwÃ?che"), so engine problems, mightindeed better beleft in the living room.

Indeed, especially if it uses oil at an abnormal rate!

Permalink

Previously raphael_vonaesch wrote:

Previously bob_parsons wrote:

It seems no one has mentioned or noticed that the high oil consumption bikes discusssed here are a prototype ,two 2010-2011 models and I believetwo early2012's. I wonder how the 2013 bikes will fare and especially the late 2013's destined for thr US market which had several updates incorporated !

Good Morning Bob

In Wiki can be read:"A prototype is something that is representative of a category of things, or an early engineering version of something to be tested

Have a nice day... Raphael

Raphael.

Your definition is of course correct, maybe I should have said at least 1 of the bikes was a prototype. One owner clearly stated he bought a factory test bike or "prototype" The other bike purchased in 2010 could possibly be a prototype also. The 2011 and 2012 bikes could not be prototypes by definition.

The owner of the prototype also stated that the bike was transported a great distance both ways and that the top end was updated with the latest parts all paid for by Norton. One of the other bikes had fresh rings, also paid for by Norton.

I do not claim to know the situation in your country! Here in the US a bike was received with damage to the throttle and a turn signal. Parts were shipped overnite and installed within 48 hours. I know the owner personally. Another bike had a chipped gas tank and it was shipped and installed very quickly, all at Nortons expense!

The dealer network and importer have also answered my friends and my questions in a very prompt manner. The 2014 bikes sound and perform much better then the 2010 bikes though they appear similiar.

I hope the new rings and honing solve your problems and that you are not paying for them as your bike appears to be under warranty !Regards,

Bob

Permalink

Previously bob_parsons wrote:

The article quotes the "Manx Beauty " several times!!

Are we all reading the same article?

Permalink

Previously david_charlesworth wrote:

Previously bob_parsons wrote:

The article quotes the "Manx Beauty " several times!!

Are we all reading the same article?

Possibly not, my neighbor was stationed in Germany for 3 years. He is a life long biker and still subcribes to the German Magazines. It is his translation that I am relying on and it differs in at least two areas from the translation here. He does admit that he meant to say "Domiracer" not "Manx" Beauty! Sorry for any confusion ! David

Permalink

Previously bob_parsons wrote:

Good Morning Bob

In Wiki can be read:"A prototype is something that is representative of a category of things, or an early engineering version of something to be tested

Have a nice day... Raphael

Raphael.

Your definition is of course correct, maybe I should have said at least 1 of the bikes was a prototype. One owner clearly stated he bought a factory test bike or "prototype" The other bike purchased in 2010 could possibly be a prototype also. The 2011 and 2012 bikes could not be prototypes by definition.

I guess, you refer to Mr Michel's nightmare here. He stated the following:

"As you may know, these models are protoypes that should not have been sold to customers."This means, that his bike was in the stage of a prototype which was sold without being tested thoroughly before sale...

I do not claim to know the situation in your country! Here in the US a bike was received with damage to the throttle and a turn signal. Parts were shipped overnite and installed within 48 hours. I know the owner personally. Another bike had a chipped gas tank and it was shipped and installed very quickly, all at Nortons expense!

These are all damages due to transportation and have nothing in common with design faults. I am curious about the reports from the US owners as soon as some miles are ridden with these bikes...

I hope the new rings and honing solve your problems and that you are not paying for them as your bike appears to be under warranty !Regards,

Bob

This is the really important point Bob! My bike is under warranty, but Norton UK refuses to accept this and to pay my local dealer for hisexpenses!

Regards, Raphael

Permalink

Previously bob_parsons wrote:

I do not claim to know the situation in your country! Here in the US a bike was received with damage to the throttle and a turn signal. Parts were shipped overnite and installed within 48 hours. I know the owner personally. Another bike had a chipped gas tank and it was shipped and installed very quickly, all at Nortons expense!

The dealer network and importer have also answered my friends and my questions in a very prompt manner. The 2014 bikes sound and perform much better then the 2010 bikes though they appear similiar.

Bob.

Bob,

to receive damaged goods and for these goods to be repaired/replaced by the supplier at their expense, is not what I'd call remarkable. Ditto asking a question and receiving a reply - even a prompt one!

Regarding your comparison of 2010 and 2014 models, what is your experience of either, bearing in mind your bike is a 2013 model.

Permalink

In the US mine is registered as a 2014 even though produced in 2013. They start doing that in August or September. The model year is insignificant as Norton makes rolling changes and so far mine is the latest update. The only ones that would be different are the California models.

I gave the parts examples for 2 reasons, they are the only warranty claims I know of, and 2 it shows that Norton is very quick to respond, is stocking spares and supplying them quickly. Money is money, a gas tank costs a lot more then a set of rings whatever the reason. Norton is very proactive here, which is whatI thought we were talking about !

You say this isnot remarkable but these 2 owners are having an entirely different experience with Norton then the op. Their experience is more in line with the several others on the forum that state their initial" nigels" or concerns were sorted by Norton very quicky. My experience has been very positive also!

Permalink

Raphael,

Please don't think I am trying to be an ass here, I am only trying to be fair!

Given the historical fact that Norton has supported and is continuing to supportits factory dealers in many countries why is it that your Mr Egliis having such a problem. A manufacturer does not simply turn off 1 company while continuing to do business with others, There has to bea "root" cause ! A dispute, an argument, lack of documentation, racing, commercial use,or unforfilled obligations would be an example. I do not pretend to know, my question is do you know!

We all know that there are at least 2 sides to every story, maybe more!Therefore we on this forum have half the facts or less. Less then half the facts is more then enough for some, but not enoughfor all of us.

Norton is under no obligation to explain itself here, they may be taking the highroad in not doing so,

Permalink

Previously bob_parsons wrote:

In the US mine is registered as a 2014 even though produced in 2013. They start doing that in August or September. The model year is insignificant as Norton makes rolling changes and so far mine is the latest update. The only ones that would be different are the California models.

Are you a politician, Bob?

I gave the parts examples for 2 reasons, they are the only warranty claims I know of, and 2 it shows that Norton is very quick to respond, is stocking spares and supplying them quickly. Money is money, a gas tank costs a lot more then a set of rings whatever the reason. Norton is very proactive here, which is whatI thought we were talking about !

It is about money, otherwise why would Norton claim the abnormal oil consumption is normal?

You say this isnot remarkable but these 2 owners are having an entirely different experience with Norton then the op. Their experience is more in line with the several others on the forum that state their initial" nigels" or concerns were sorted by Norton very quicky. My experience has been very positive also!

So you've had problems with your bike too?

Permalink

Simon,

You know my occupation.

My point about money is that a $2000 gas tank and labor is more then rings, gaskets, honing and labor , wouldn't you agree!

As far as my bike is concerned, I purchased it, the smoke on startup ended at 60 miles, I purchased an oil filter, shop manual, some oil, a mirror and had it delivered also a very positive experience.

Please tell us why you answered a post directed to Raphael???

As far as I can tell people on this section fall into 4 categories.

Those that owna 961, those that have ordered a 961, those that are contemplating ordering a 961, then you ???

You spend dozens of hours reading and answering hundreds of posts which you have no actual experience or knowledge of and your opinion is of little use here. Why??? You have clearly stated you cannot afford one!

Permalink

Previously bob_parsons wrote:

Simon,

You know my occupation.

My point about money is that a $2000 gas tank and labor is more then rings, gaskets, honing and labor , wouldn't you agree!

Depends on the labour rates, cost of spares, time taken, cost of machining, testing etc etc. Tanks are expensive?

As far as my bike is concerned, I purchased it, the smoke on startup ended at 60 miles, I purchased an oil filter, shop manual, some oil, a mirror and had it delivered also a very positive experience.

Please tell us why you answered a post directed to Raphael???

I was replying to your reply, to my reply, to your reply, to Raphael.

As far as I can tell people on this section fall into 4 categories.

Those that owna 961, those that have ordered a 961, those that are contemplating ordering a 961, then you ???

I always think it's good to have an independent view point.

You spend dozens of hours reading and answering hundreds of posts which you have no actual experience or knowledge of and your opinion is of little use here. Why??? You have clearly stated you cannot afford one!

There are known knowns. These are things that we know we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know.

Permalink

Previously bob_parsons wrote:

Simon,

You know my occupation.

My point about money is that a $2000 gas tank and labor is more then rings, gaskets, honing and labor , wouldn't you agree!

As far as my bike is concerned, I purchased it, the smoke on startup ended at 60 miles, I purchased an oil filter, shop manual, some oil, a mirror and had it delivered also a very positive experience.

Please tell us why you answered a post directed to Raphael???

As far as I can tell people on this section fall into 4 categories.

Those that owna 961, those that have ordered a 961, those that are contemplating ordering a 961, then you ???

You spend dozens of hours reading and answering hundreds of posts which you have no actual experience or knowledge of and your opinion is of little use here. Why??? You have clearly stated you cannot afford one!

Well said Bob, I totally agree. It would seem that he doesn't really want to hear anything positive anyway! I would much preferinput from other owners, with some useful comments. I can only say from my experience Norton have always responded and sorted any problems swiftly and I have had excellent support. Although my bike is working perfectly now and has been for almost 3 years trouble free. I have it booked in for a service at Donnington this month and they will collect.

BTW I had a new 750 Commando in the early 70's(my first brand new bike)and that was far from trouble free after more than 4 years in production. It still didn't put me off owning other 750 and 850 Commando's since. However in my opinion my 961 is the best Commando by far.

John Mc

 


Norton Owners Club Website by White-Hot Design