Triumphrat

markbvt · 04-17-2006, 01:46 PM

So Kenny Dreer's new Norton has ceased operations until they can find an investor/buyer... and apparently there's some speculation that Triumph might be interested.

Personally I find it unlikely, since Triumph is still busy building its own brand, but it's interesting nonetheless.

--mark

d2mini · 04-17-2006, 01:57 PM

Dang. Glad I'm not one of the people who dropped cash on a deposit.

Shorty · 04-17-2006, 02:26 PM

That's interesting! Check out May 2006 Cycle World article "Norton 961 Commando...Think of it as Comfort food for your moto-soul".
Sounds like Mr. Dreer has a new CEO with a first quarter 2007 production goal...but the company needs to raise another $10 million.
Even if it happens, $20K for a 961 Commander and a supposed $13.2K on a lesser spec'd 961S roadster is a lot of beans.
The article (I've got it right in front of me) states that "the bike will be an air-cooled, pushrod, single cam 2-valve per cylinder inclined Twin with 270-degree crankshaft, gear driven counter balancer, self adjusting hydraulic roller tappets and a unitized 5-speed cassette-style gearbox, with twin 39 mm Keihins".

Shorty

jrussell6 · 04-17-2006, 04:29 PM

hmmm,,,, i gotta say that that bike makes my special parts ignite with fire.,,,, but like it's already been said,,, it's alotta beans,,,
but if triumph bought it,,, they would be able to bring that price down due to more streamlined process and less overhead.. i would have to say that i think it would be interesting,, and i know i might get flamed for this,, but if they replaced the thrux/bonnie/ with the norton stuff i would be happy,, the one thing i want out of my bonnie is more juice, lots more juice.. after the bubs/16 tooth/ airbox remove/ and 904 is looks like i'm only getting around 75/// the norton stock is quoted at 80 rwhp... meaning you could probably get it up close to triple digits.
that norton is gorgeous, no way around it.

ps....... can anyone see the revival of the "TRITON"
i can. if i get the chance i'll do it

[ This message was edited by: jrussell6 on 2006-04-17 14:32 ]

ssjones · 04-17-2006, 09:21 PM

Whew that's tough one. Norton cetainly would be a valuable name to own, if only to keep it out of the hands of a competitor. Does Triumph have enough resources to keep two brands afloat?
A bike magazine editorial a year or two back had a great article on the value of the Indian brand and why it makes perfect sense for Harley to buy and operate it. I'd say the Norton brand doesn't have quite the value of Indian, but who knows.

ChuckofTahoe · 04-17-2006, 09:45 PM

I think if they bought Norton they would have to go the re-badged Triumph route as I don't think Triumph is large enough or financially strong enough to support RD for two separate motorcycle companies.

Even Honda, Suzuki and Kawazaki don't have second marques.

Yamaha sort of has the Star Motorcycles thing going now. Harley has Buell I suppose. But both Yamaha and Harley are at least ten time larger than Triumph I think.

[ This message was edited by: ChuckofTahoe on 2006-04-17 19:47 ]

Thunder_Forever · 04-17-2006, 11:19 PM

I would buy one if they could keep their heads above water........once they start, you know they'll make some money with the looks of this:

meatwagon · 04-17-2006, 11:56 PM

Don't bet on Bloor picking up Dreers Norton stock.I think Dreer only has the rights to the name in USA.Norvil and others own part of the name elsewhere.Could hurt marketing potential worldwide or be costly to buy out all the others.Chuck has an excellant point about R+D costs,etc.
If price wasn't a factor I would love one of the Dreer Nortons.

DrEnglish · 04-18-2006, 12:48 AM

As if.

guzzi · 04-18-2006, 01:26 AM

Maybe it ain't such a stretch. I'm sure triumph is pulling it's hair out after being told by the american public (about their multi cyl bikes, particularly inline 4s):

"If I wanted a Jap bike, I'd BUY one." They've already decided rightly to dump the 4s, and I think Triump is impressed with the reaction to the Bonnie series.

But, the public, and the press clamors for "more power". If they took Dreer on as a 'special consultant', it would sell more bikes than their current styling fiasco of 'specials', which only have silly mod paint.

He has established USA brit bike cred, and could probably be the next Doctor John, Ing. T, or Eric Buell. It could happen :-D