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Norton Atlas - would you buy one?

For better or worse using the Norton name certainly has drawn more attention to the company than the various other new offerings from the Chinese and India companies with names that are new to many ears. If this same machine was built but called the Hooie-Dooie or something we wouldn't have noticed much.
 
Definitely get something else. Norton is owned by TVS Motor, the same company that produces the BMW F450GS. The blocker for buying either is that TVS has not released these bikes for sale in the USA, and the BMW has been teased for what seems like 3 years now. TVS is also saying they are lining up ~200 dealerships in the USA and to complete this in the next month or two. The F450GS seems like an awesome bike, yet no MSRP et al. We can get into pros and cons of their bikes with influencers and all that; IMHO Norton is vaporware. Maybe next year.
 
Feeling on the fence about it just based on reviews.

I have considered getting the Ibex 450 or CB500X / NX500 as my daily rider and a more comfortable option for touring rides. The slightly bigger engine doesn’t sound too intimidating and it’s not as dirt oriented as a T7.
 
cal scott said:
I believe most people would beg to differ. There are hundreds of examples of founders who start a company named for them and then build that name into a brand. The fashion world is replete with examples... Gucci, Channel, Prada to name a few. You can't say these are not brands despite being the named after the designer. Other great examples are McDonalds, Cadbury, Nestle. In the auto world Ferrari, Porsche, Toyota. And then of course the major Japanese motorcycle brands, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki. Or closer to home, Harley-Davidson.
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more relevant examples to this would be Bugatti, which was revived at least one time unsuccessfully before VW made it permanent. the people that identify as Bentley Boys from the original incarnation probably don't want much to do with the 2nd and 3rd iteration. the current iteration is a nameplate like lexus is for toyota. they're amazing machines to be sure and lots of money has been spent convincing people to lust after them. being a lowly engineer type i don't really know if that constitutes a brand or not

Indian was reincarnated twice before polaris made it stick. i'd say polaris has built a decent brand with indian even if their major theme seems to be Not a Harley

GPzPop said:
there are cheaper ways to buy a bike whose brand has absolutely no parts support in several years, buy a Buell
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at least buell made a, comparatively, LOT of bikes that are now donating parts to keep their relatives alive. this thing ain't going to be that
 
Nothing about that bike tingles my dingle. Then again, a Tenere is probably about the closest I'd ever consider getting to an adventure bike.
 
You know, it's easy to have a bias against the nauseatingly trendy term "adventure bike",

It's as bad as calling a four-wheeler an "overlander".

Think of it as an upright do it all bike, and it's less nauseating and cliche.
 
Back in the 60's when UJM and UEM bikes were made, all did the same thing, different makes, different sizes, but the same layout, Universal.
Longer suspension for dirt, started the change, reliability came with stronger spark, tuned carbs, more cooling.
When I was a kid, I was taught how to build a dirt bike (CL 90, Tiger Cubs) from a UJ/EM, now you buy an $$ Adventure,
way better dirt bike, over a Universal Japanese Moto
 
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My 2nd street bike, ever, was an Atlas., then a clutch of Commandoes, 2 BSA, a Tr-6, a Bonnie, and I now have a '07 Hinckley Bonneville.
These revival bikes, even the Hinckley Triumphs are not connected to their namesakes , except by name.

But my Hinckley has developed a tiny leak, so it's a Triumph in spirit.

Want adventure? Ride a VTR1000F into the Nevada desert in the East Walker River drainage and catch a few trout.


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In my neighborhood even! Good find but no.
 
Lmgtfy :twofinger @auntiebling

The 2013 Norton 961 engine originates from an American prototype designed by Kenny Dreer in Oregon during the early 2000s, which was later acquired, re-engineered, and put into production in the UK by Stuart Garner's Norton Motorcycle Company.

American Roots & Design
Kenny Dreer Concept: Developed initially as the successor to updated legacy Nortons (such as the VR880) by Oregon-based builder Kenny Dreer, aiming for a modern pushrod parallel-twin feel.

First Run: The prototype 961cc air-cooled, pushrod, 270-degree parallel-twin engine first ran in January 2003.

British Rework & Production
Stuart Garner Acquisition: After Dreer's venture closed in 2006, British businessman Stuart Garner bought the rights in 2008 and moved development to Donington Park, England.

Engineering Polish: Designer Simon Skinner and racing engine specialists Menard Competition Technologies (MCT) heavily re-engineered Dreer's prototype layout—adding fuel injection, balancing gears, and adjusting tolerances—to create the production 961 engine launched for the 2010–2013 models.
 
augustiron said:
I'd buy this Norton


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No Reserve: Commando-Powered 1956 Norton Dominator 99

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: Commando-Powered 1956 Norton Dominator 99 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #256,505.
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I would only buy it if someone else got California Plates on it, legitimately.

F10AB11736 a number that got burned into my brain, when I spent almost a year trying to get it registered in 1976. Thank you , Corte Madrera DMV!

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It doesn't need plates to sit at the end of my bed on a pedestal.
 
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