| Author | Message | ||
     Sagehawk |
Why do these companies keep trying to play this global game at the top level and not make any money? Most folks dont have the resources to spend on collector builds and by the time they might start making some model they could make money on , they go broke! MAD! Hell yeah! I wanted a commando in the worst way as a kid. Turned 18, moved out , had a job to buy one and the company went belly up. Didnt want to pull the trigger then. Oh wait a minute, I bought a used 12x in february, 2008. What kind of luck do i have with desiring machines that are not long for this world? Rant over! Anyhow, best wishes to all here for this new year! May you and your families have the best of health and well being! | ||
| Tootal |
I thought Norton was supplying rotary bikes to the police etc. Guess I haven't been keeping up. I too used to drool over the 850 Commando at a little British shop. It was really expensive compared to the Yamaha's, but it looked so good! On the same street a block away was a used Shelby GT 500 for $4500.00!! I couldn't afford that either! | ||
| 86129squids |
Does this have anything to do with Dreer? https://www.cycleworld.com/american-era-of-norton- motorcycles-and-kenny-dreer-contributions/ | ||
| Buellish |
No Brad,Kenny Dreer had nothing to do with the current Norton company. | ||
| 86129squids |
I've not followed Norton for some time- years ago at the Atlanta motorcycle show, I bought several raffle tickets for one of Dreer's bikes. Dang but they were/are nice! I also appreciated them for building those rotary racers. Wankel engines fascinate me. Bonus points for the way they shot long blue flames out the exhaust on downshifts into corners- gave their competitors a thrill upon trying to pass! | ||
| Rick_a |
That's not a surprise. I've never seen one in person nor a dealer that carries the line. With the new retro Triumphs being as successful as they are, with a large aftermarket in performance parts...it's a tough market to get into...the premium semi performance neo retro thing, that is. | ||
| Sagehawk |
There is one dealer in austin that carries Norton. They had one for 26000.00. A dominator if I remember. Went back by to look at swm motorcycles and they had a coupla used nortons last year. No real push to sell like another company I know. Kicker is, now that week has wound down, stories are coming out of scandals with three different employee retirement funds. Ain't that a kicker? | ||
| Buellerxt |
Sorry to hear that, Sagehawk, but it's good to see you posting. I, too, liked Nortons. My brother had two Commandos. I hope you're doing well, are still out riding with your wife, and still on a Buell. | ||
| Rocketman |
For every bike they made everyone was a work of art and fantastic. Seems the whole endeavour has been a plot to make someone very wealthy. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jan/30/t aken-for-a-ride-how-norton-motorcycles-collapsed-a mid-acrimony-and-scandal Rocket in England |
