Just watching the practise coverage and Steve Parrish mentioned that John was unhappy with the speed and power, it topped out at 115MPH down the straight, and he says "He must have rolled the throttle, it can't be that slow"........ Yes it can, the Norton boss over promises and under delivers, he announced the bike in road trim with 100HP, when no other 650 twin gets anywhere near bothering 70hp
Crikey, that's what most 125 2-stroke riders 'say' they get Social media very quiet on the Norton issues. Same old story I suppose, people have been saying it's been a media whitewash all over
So, I had a call from the nice man at Norton at the end of June. He told me that they had resolved the problems that they were having with the paint (I wasn't aware that there was a problem but it explains why all the bikes seen in the wild so far are the carbon variety). If I gave them all the money for the bike then I could have a build slot and I should get my bike in 12-14 weeks (or thereabouts). Given that I want to actually ride it rather than put it in a case and look at it, getting it delivered in mid-October (if I'm lucky given their time estimates aren't that reliable) is of no real use to me, although I can see why a £**,*** interest free loan is of use to them. I therefore declined his kind offer and said that I would wait until early in 2020 when the lead time should be shorter. I'm not expecting to be riding my SS until Spring next year. I also wasn't too keen on being a guinea pig for their painting process (much like those early deliveries that got a wrapped rather than painted bike!!!) and I'm hoping that any paint issues and associated fixes are well resolved by the time they get round to building my bike.
It seems to be one problem after another with this machine and am thinking it's been a bit of a disaster and is turning into an embarrassing joke for Norton! Its no wonder there keeping as quirt as possible to all their potential customers hoping we are all going to stay loyal to them in the face pretty poor customer relations and false hopes!!!! I wonder if Mr Garner (Being the astute businessman he is.) would still be enthusiastic about investing a large sum of money in a product that seems to have been fraught with problems and delays for the length of time this Bike and with a company that doesn't bother replying to customers concerns!!! I'm wondering now weather owning this Bike will be more hassle than it's worth?
I spoke to Norton last week re my SuperLight deposit, I was informed that the focus was on delivering the Atlas this year, getting the new shed up and running and to expect a "spring update" on production of the Superlight. I also got a confirmation email of my deposit which I'm happy to have as a marker down on a production slot. I will take a view nearer the time. When the show rolls round in November, I shall pull Mr Skinner to one side and have a quiet word in his shell like. Disappointed in the TT situation of course, Norton did well keeping a lid on that debacle.
There was a chrome Norton SS thing in Krazy Horse today. I liked the candy red wheels. Customer bike with do not touch sign on it. Looked a bit plastic re the body work IMHO. Lady I spoke to when I enquired about the Atlas bikes said they expect them in October!!!
@Gizmo750 from what I was told, the paint issue was that it would flake off if chipped. It was also apparently impossible to touch in any chips. That was a big concern for me as its the chrome version I want. It is so bizarre that they are now stating they will push the atlas out ahead of the superlight. I can only conclude this is because it makes more profit for an easier built bike, and therefore gets some cash flowing their way. It just doesn't sit well though that they are effectively not delivering bikes in anything like the order they have been - erm - ordered. Back up this thread I reported they expecting to deliver all 200 of the SS's this summer, and pushing a bunch of RR's out by year end. In fact I now wonder just how many of the SS's, RR's and superlights they have actually sold (and not been cancelled), as this is not something I've seen reported anywhere. Now with the focus apparently on the new bikes, maybe that has all gone in the bin... Personally the last correspondence I received was back in April (the general mailshot sent out), and Mr Garner doesn't reply to any of my comments to his posts on twatter. If I get a call to confirm my final build options this year that would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath...
I saw this on their twitter feed 4 hours ago and when I initially looked the headline was Norton V4SS twins ready for collection by their new owners today Perhaps in my naivety I was expecting a workshop full of completed bikes but the twitter page only showed 2 https://twitter.com/norton_ceo?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author
how bizarre, that doesn't pop up on my twatter despite following him, I had to go search for it. Maybe I've been excommunicated...
John, I was also told that all 200 SS bikes were to be with their new owners by the end of the Summer, which just isn't going to happen. For many people with deposits on them the reality is that they will be getting them more than 3 years after putting down their money. I suspect that the 2 lucky owners of the recently Tweeted bikes actually paid their deposits a long time ago (possibly early 2017, which means they have sacrificed interest on £44k for 2.5 years. If we were to assume an interest rate of only 1.75% then it has cost these customers over £1,800).
WOOHOO, I feel like a dog with two dicks, I got an answer on twatter (where's the back-flip smiley when you need it) Apparently news on the RRs is 'coming soon'. so is christmas, then easter, and another summer... I agree Gizmo. This is partly why, despite being offered an SS slot, I'm not prepared to accept one, I simply do not wish to stump up full money at time of order. I've never had to do so when buying expensive cars / bikes, even limited run ones. I only have 500 quid on the hook for an RR, and even if they go tits-up I can not lose sleep over that.
At this stage I couldn't buy one, and am slightly astonished if anyone feels confident to. I love the Dominator, it looks amazing but is apparently underwhelming to ride. A £20k motorbike shouldn't feel "meh" and you shouldn't be nervous about the prospect of parts etc.
Now that I have got my V4R and run it in I am well happy.Also after the crap experience with Norton and all the Bulls@#! that came with it I am pleased that I got out of the situation.I buy a bike to ride and experience it,not just rev it up on the drive.They can keep them,yes they do look sweet,but has anyone actually used and experienced the power and handling??
