[road dog]

However, THEIR WEBSITE makes the following statements; "There is no connection between Norton Motorsports, Inc. and any past Norton enterprise."... "Norton Motorsports, Inc. is the current and sole owner of the Norton trademarks worldwide. NMI is a privately held company dedicated to bring back the Norton brand and adding to its incredible legacy."

Also, what a bizarre range in price... $10,000. "The MSRP for the 961 Commando Signature Series is $19,995. Scheduled production models will range from $9,995 to $19,995." That $9,995 model must really be stripped down, compared to the one shown. It is a nice looking Signature Series model... but for $19,995?

It has oil in frame and a separate gearbox... I don't know??? What do you think?

 

[road dog]

one more view...

 

[ohiorider]

Hi RoadDog - isn't this the Kenny Dreer project that folded up due to lack of funding to bring the bike to market? Or is this something new ..... maybe they found the bucks to come alive again?

Bob

 

[akenaten]

Where's it made? Tierra Del Fuego?

 

[Tabletop]

It may be the same situation as with Vincent motorcycles... a design and prototype and plans for production.

vincent

All the components specified on the Norton website are top shelf: Ohlins forks and shocks, carbon fiber wheels, brembo brakes, etc. I don't see how they could sell the bike for $10k unless they substituted with more standard parts.
Bike does look very sharp though.

 

[boboso]

On 2006-12-20 23:03, ohiorider wrote:
Hi RoadDog - isn't this the Kenny Dreer project that folded... maybe they found the bucks to come alive again?

I checked the web site as I was very interested (at the point of purchasing when the "production" model came out) as it is the same address, but some of the content has changed. No mention of Dreer unless you dig through some of the press releases etc. One tid-bit I found was the mention of "no connection to any past, present or previous" Hmmm...

Time to dig a bit more. I sent a request form into them for additional info.

 

[Big_Rick]

Those pics are definitely the Kenny Dreer 961 Commando and that has been dead since around May I think. A big part of the problem was that he only had the rights to the Norton name in the US. so his final market was limited and it all fell through at the last minute. The same month it received a large layout in Cycle World no less.

Did anyone see what showed up at this years NEC in October??
Another New Norton

 

[Brooksie]

That's the great bike that never made it to market. (See Ducati Classic Line for replacement). I heard a rumor that Triumph had looked at buying the project, but that's been awhile.

 

[sweatmachine]

I'd ditch my bonnie for that norton.

 

[WineWomenSong]

i might, too, that thing is sick. or i could buy a Duc, i guess.

 

[FattRat]

Sexiest bike NEVER to be..... EVER!

I remember seeing one of the ORIGINAL Dreers at a BMW Rally five years ago, and that bad boy looked NOTHING like that sexy Black & Gold sculpture.

I'll settle for matted & framed poster, 'cause I gave up on the real thing happening two years ago.

 

[HorseWhisperer]

It's a hell of a bike alright, and it is the Kenny Dreer project. I have been trying to track the progress of it since about 11/2005 . I had $500 down on a 961S until 05/2006 when Norton returned my deposit as they were unable to bring the bike to production, they were short $10 mil and were looking for funding. If they get the funding I'll be very interested in getting my hands on one of them.

Don't no about the Wankel powered racer, but I believe somewhere in Nortons history, back just after the days of NVT (Norton, Villers, Triumph). The rotary license was separted from the trademarks that Kenny Dreer bought and there is a UK or German company that holds them, that last Norton Rotary that I heard of was the F1 that Trevor Nation rode with great success back in 90 or 91.

Anyone got any further info?

 

[raproe]

The real Norton is being kept alive, in England where it belongs, by the Norvil Company. Unfortunately, they lost the Norton trademark to the Oregon fiasco.

Just for the heck of it, here's a picture of me on my '66 Norton Atlas ("Featherbed" frame, "Roadholder" forks, Amal carbs and Lucas electrics) "back in the day".

[ This message was edited by: raproe on 2006-12-21 11:25 ]

 

[Normandy]

Looks like a big dirt bike.

 

[road dog]

I dunno guys... first I ever heard of "the Kenny Dreer project ". But, I'm kinda glad to learn that it isn't going to production. I'd be soooo jealous of anybody that had one... I'd likely go into debt up to my eyeballs to get one if I could!!! Same with the Vincent prototype bike. A couple of fine looking prototypes... maybe a sign of things to come.

 

[idaho_thrux]

I have seen these bikes in person at a venture capital conference, where they were trying to raise funding, and I can tell you they actually take your breath away in person. Beautiful bike.

 

[GleaminTwin]

Those are some very sharp bikes, I remember reading a very positive article about the new Norton about a year ago, they made it sound like it was a done deal that it would be coming to market. Then the company coudn't get enough financing and ceased work. It looks like the necessary funding was again found, because that bike looks very similar to the one from a year ago, or maybe 9 months ago.

 

[mtgarritson]

I saw that bike at the '05 MotoGP at Laguna Seca. Phenomenal looking bike to say the least.

 

[MOBRIT]

For comparison, here's my '72 Commando.
I think that the comments about the national status of the Trademark is correct, and Norvil, in the UK, says that it's VERY original-looking Nortons are not for export. I'm givintg some thought to buying one for delivery in the UK next year and shipping back home-plus I could have a blast riding during the UK trip. Modern carbs & electronics. Oooohhhhh!


Triumph/Norton

[ This message was edited by: MOBRIT on 2006-12-21 17:08 ]

 

[RaceDweeb]

Triumph could so easily build this bike out of off-the-shelf parts.