A small point, the £2024 discount applies to brand new bikes, not just ex demo models. I was offered a 24 ex demo SP with 600miles on the clock for £14,500, but a brand new bike was only £500 more. I went for the new bike.
I have a few questions please?? Which are considered more desirable? The latest TVS models or the previous incumbent models? (Did the whole Garner affair leave a nasty after taste on ownership of his models)? Also which era (Garner or TVS) are more reliable (or considered equals)? Finally, are there any differences between the Garner built bikes and the TVS bikes? I know that TVS did mention during their takeover that they found many QC issues with all the models and were working to correct them (especially in the V4). Thank you! Great vids… keep it up 👍🏻
Hi thanks for your feedback and questions. I have two 961’s, both Donington bikes. If I was in the market for a 961 now, I would go for a TVS mainly because of the factory and dealer support. I love both my 961’s, but it can prove a headache fixing things or finding someone to help. Motorvated Ltd in Derby is the “go to” place for all things Donington, other than that you need to be handy with a spanner yourself. I wouldn’t say the Garner affair tarnished 961 ownership, if anything Norton has gone a lot more corporate these days (just my opinion), the Donington owners tend to stick together and help one another out. It’s a nice community. I have no experience of TVS bikes and have heard of owners who have had problems, but as mentioned above I would go with their bikes mainly for the support. In terms of differences I am not aware of any major changes between Donington and TVs bikes, most changes I believe are in the quality of the parts manufacturing and sourcing. I hope that helps, and thanks a lot for the support! Cheers Jonathan
I was toying on a 961 CR, looking at Autotrader is a bit depressing seeing how many are going with minimal miles and a big chunk off list. The 2 grand off a new one to bring the bike down a bit still hadn’t tempted me. A few dealers have new or ore reg going for bargain prices but they’ve had them a fair while tbh. I’d spend a ton on making it how I want it to be, and take a hit p/exing it at a later date and get peanuts for it like all my bikes I’ve had. Got an invite to their test rides at Duxford but I’ll not go as I don’t want to waste anyone’s time as a tyre kicker. Will be interesting to see what small capacity Norton will bring out soon…….
Yes I'm waiting to see what small capacity bike they bring out, I did seriously consider the Triumph 400 bit I'm holding out for my next bike until I see what Norton have to offer. There are several Solihull ex-Demos coming up for sale now, would you ever be tempted by a Donington 961 though?
My view is to be a premium automotive brand you are recognised as being exemplary in key areas of Quality, Performance, Innovation, Design, Exclusivity, Heritage, Service and Brand Image. When you look at each they fail in some way short of being a premium brand and they are finding or hard to convert people who like the look into paying customers because the have poisoned there own well through arrogance.
Thank you 🙏 That is the Commando Street, a special edition produced in 2019. It came about due to a TV show in the UK, they showed the bike being designed and took it to Norton who agreed to put it into production.
Problem is the new ones aren't selling either and the prices are dropping. Norton have currently knocked £2000 off the retail price of the new ones. That tells you everything...
If the tvs 961 nortons are better with better crankshafts and QC as their QC now is far stricter on part quality. I am curious on owners experiences especially mechanics and rider experiences especially the older riders who know so much about the 1960s and 1970s 750 and 850 commandos. For me they are so addictive and i love the flat tracker ones used racing in the USA against Yamaha XS650 motors modified and the Harley XR750s. They are such beautiful machines and put on mick hemmings big valve heads with balanced cranks and carillo conrods and forged pistons and better breathing etc cutting weight with short 2 into 1 less restricted silencer and oil cooler and they were transformed.
@@Ian-bq7gp I have not heard of any issues with the new 961's apart from a few external supplied components in the Pre TVS own era. The new ones made by TVS seem to be pretty reliable.
which begs the question why don’t they want to keep them? Are they just money pits and owners are bailing out before they inevitably go wrong? Guess we will never know.
To be fair though all bikes come up for sale used, for all kinds of reasons. Thousands of Triumphs, Yamahas, Hondas etc. I don’t think it’s peculiar to the 961 Commando.
Interesting. If and currently it’s a big if, TVS bikes turn out to be reliable then I see that driving earlier bikes resale into the floor because who would want to buy one with sketchy reliability (at best) and zero factory support when they can buy a TVS that looks the same, rides the same, has warranty AND works.
Can’t argue with that. Other than to say there will always be a rarity value with these bikes, given the limited production numbers. But you’re right I think it will drive prices down. Something I’ll be keeping an eye on!
A small point, the £2024 discount applies to brand new bikes, not just ex demo models. I was offered a 24 ex demo SP with 600miles on the clock for £14,500, but a brand new bike was only £500 more. I went for the new bike.
Nice one, another great video mate
Thank you
great analysis.
Thank you 🙏
Nice work!
Thank you!
I have a few questions please?? Which are considered more desirable? The latest TVS models or the previous incumbent models? (Did the whole Garner affair leave a nasty after taste on ownership of his models)? Also which era (Garner or TVS) are more reliable (or considered equals)? Finally, are there any differences between the Garner built bikes and the TVS bikes? I know that TVS did mention during their takeover that they found many QC issues with all the models and were working to correct them (especially in the V4). Thank you! Great vids… keep it up 👍🏻
Hi thanks for your feedback and questions. I have two 961’s, both Donington bikes. If I was in the market for a 961 now, I would go for a TVS mainly because of the factory and dealer support. I love both my 961’s, but it can prove a headache fixing things or finding someone to help. Motorvated Ltd in Derby is the “go to” place for all things Donington, other than that you need to be handy with a spanner yourself. I wouldn’t say the Garner affair tarnished 961 ownership, if anything Norton has gone a lot more corporate these days (just my opinion), the Donington owners tend to stick together and help one another out. It’s a nice community.
I have no experience of TVS bikes and have heard of owners who have had problems, but as mentioned above I would go with their bikes mainly for the support.
In terms of differences I am not aware of any major changes between Donington and TVs bikes, most changes I believe are in the quality of the parts manufacturing and sourcing.
I hope that helps, and thanks a lot for the support!
Cheers
Jonathan
@@NortonUnofficial Thank you for your open and honest response. Very much appreciated Jonathon. Steve.
I was toying on a 961 CR, looking at Autotrader is a bit depressing seeing how many are going with minimal miles and a big chunk off list. The 2 grand off a new one to bring the bike down a bit still hadn’t tempted me. A few dealers have new or ore reg going for bargain prices but they’ve had them a fair while tbh. I’d spend a ton on making it how I want it to be, and take a hit p/exing it at a later date and get peanuts for it like all my bikes I’ve had. Got an invite to their test rides at Duxford but I’ll not go as I don’t want to waste anyone’s time as a tyre kicker.
Will be interesting to see what small capacity Norton will bring out soon…….
Yes I'm waiting to see what small capacity bike they bring out, I did seriously consider the Triumph 400 bit I'm holding out for my next bike until I see what Norton have to offer. There are several Solihull ex-Demos coming up for sale now, would you ever be tempted by a Donington 961 though?
My view is to be a premium automotive brand you are recognised as being exemplary in key areas of Quality, Performance, Innovation, Design, Exclusivity, Heritage, Service and Brand Image.
When you look at each they fail in some way short of being a premium brand and they are finding or hard to convert people who like the look into paying customers because the have poisoned there own well through arrogance.
Great work sir just sub your channel... and What Norton is on the thumbnail.... The tank looks different
Thank you 🙏 That is the Commando Street, a special edition produced in 2019. It came about due to a TV show in the UK, they showed the bike being designed and took it to Norton who agreed to put it into production.
@@NortonUnofficial thank you for the information sir... Love that design it's look like a combination of bobber bike and street bike...
Problem is the new ones aren't selling either and the prices are dropping. Norton have currently knocked £2000 off the retail price of the new ones. That tells you everything...
Hi thanks for your comments. I’m news at a Norton dealer the other week, he told me they sold 10 961’s in the month so maybe things are picking up.
If the tvs 961 nortons are better with better crankshafts and QC as their QC now is far stricter on part quality. I am curious on owners experiences especially mechanics and rider experiences especially the older riders who know so much about the 1960s and 1970s 750 and 850 commandos. For me they are so addictive and i love the flat tracker ones used racing in the USA against Yamaha XS650 motors modified and the Harley XR750s. They are such beautiful machines and put on mick hemmings big valve heads with balanced cranks and carillo conrods and forged pistons and better breathing etc cutting weight with short 2 into 1 less restricted silencer and oil cooler and they were transformed.
@@Ian-bq7gp I have not heard of any issues with the new 961's apart from a few external supplied components in the Pre TVS own era. The new ones made by TVS seem to be pretty reliable.
By most popular, you mean what is popular for sale, which means they are the least popular for the owners to keep.
Interesting. I hadn’t thought of it that way!
which begs the question why don’t they want to keep them? Are they just money pits and owners are bailing out before they inevitably go wrong? Guess we will never know.
To be fair though all bikes come up for sale used, for all kinds of reasons. Thousands of Triumphs, Yamahas, Hondas etc. I don’t think it’s peculiar to the 961 Commando.
Yea agree. Let’s not forget the entire motorcycle industry is geared towards us changing our bikes, and often!
The TVS made bikes will be better than under Garner as their QC is so strict now.
Interesting. If and currently it’s a big if, TVS bikes turn out to be reliable then I see that driving earlier bikes resale into the floor because who would want to buy one with sketchy reliability (at best) and zero factory support when they can buy a TVS that looks the same, rides the same, has warranty AND works.
Can’t argue with that. Other than to say there will always be a rarity value with these bikes, given the limited production numbers. But you’re right I think it will drive prices down. Something I’ll be keeping an eye on!