Yes. As a former owner of 2 Nortons (1973 750cc Commando and a '75 850cc Mk1 Commando - the fastest one) I do appreciate them. However, today I was at Donnington Park with my kids as Richard, Katie and Mike were all doing a trackday there and I was on the bounce from working at Catterick on Tuesday. Suddenly there was a beautiful 'twin' noise and I looked up to see the new Norton Commando 961!
The Financial Times were interviewing Stuart garner (boss man) and taking a go on the bike up and down the pit lane at lunch time. I managed to get close to it and admire it even though this is the Kenny Greer prototype.
Then the boss comes over and I get to shake his hand and have a lengthy chat with hime before he has to take the bike back to their HQ at Donnington. He also admitted that they are working on a new Sportsbike (1000cc) Vee Four which will have in excess of 200bhp! I couldn't find out who was designing the engine but he appreciated that they would have to get the younger generation to look at Norton and a nostalgic Commando 'on steroids' probably wouldn't do the trick.
A really nice guy and I wish him, and his company, all the best for the future. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to spend £15k on another bike right now as I'm picking my new one up on Thursday - time permitting!
-- Edited by Fixer on Wednesday 17th of June 2009 07:46:30 PM
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I do know where I'm going, but the track it will decide, It's not the destination, It's the glory of the ride!
1962 Norton Dominator 99 Deluxe first new bike got me into the Birmingham Norton Owners Club great ride outs in those days. Then had a Dunstall Atlas which I converted to race spec for my mate Lou Geeson. Those were the days