Posts
The new Norton Motorcycles will begin producing their Norton Commando 961 in England. Of course, we all know that the original design was penned by American Kenny Dreer, but it is Stuart Garner who had the resources to finally get the marque back in the business of making machines of lust. The first 50 Nortons should get to the US this year - that's a good thing when you consider how long many of these people have been waiting for their 2010 Commando.
http://tinyurl.com/y9zfewc
The California Highway Patrol is pushing a message of looking out for motorcyclists all across the state. Of course, the target audience is auto and truck drivers (mostly auto) drivers. The MSF is quite happy about this work as you would expect - and we should all thank the CHP for the effort. It is better than being ignored as we are in other states...
http://tinyurl.com/yhz7qo8
Through a press release, the Allstate insurance company has announced a special giveaway. One lucky winner will win a one-of-a-kind custom motorcycle designed by legendary bike builder Dave Perewitz. It will be revealed on 19 February (I will update this post at that time) and will be a Pro Street style machine. To enter the "Allstate Pro Street Sweepstakes" please take the link to the link...
http://tinyurl.com/y8udajk
More Afternoon Moto News - New Norton, Motorcycle Safety & Allstate Giveaway
More Afternoon Moto News - Brutale 1090RR Review & New Norton Races!
The new MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR is something to behold - lovely, powerful, and very well-made. Well, how does it perform on the street? Well, let's just say that the Brutale sets the standard in the naked bike segment as it always has. The author here finds it slightly less perfect than the Streetfighter, but at least the Brutale has well-sorted suspension right off the production line and it is much more reliable than the Ducati...and that is borne out through the large number of warranty work on the new Streetfighter. Go MV and you will never regret it!
http://tinyurl.com/ycvesfx
The 'new' Norton is going racing, finally! Chris Walker, of British and World Superbike series and new Sales Manager for Norton, will be taking the Commando 961 to the Thundersprint event. That's right, no VIP and full access to Walker and the beautiful race bike from the new Norton shop - thanks, of course, to Kenny Dreer. Really fantastic news!
http://tinyurl.com/ydslhmv
Tuesday Evening Moto News - Norton 880 Monoshock Cafe Racer
This is a rather short one, but very interesting. Paul Zuniga decided to build a Norton similar to the one Kenny Dreer originally designed as the Norton rebirth. His Norton has a single-shock rear end and inverted Kawasaki forks. It will have an 880c.c. over-bored Norton twin in it as soon as he is finished. But, now it looks just fine as it is. It looks very good and it starts my mind to wandering...
http://tinyurl.com/ya7qtuq
Information Released About Canadian Version of Norton Commando 961 SE
The Commando 961 will actually be shown at the Toronto Motorcycle Show next month - as you should know from previous posts. So, now Norton has released some details about the units which will be sold in Canada. It's a rather sweet list of components all linked together by a lovely design courtesy of Kenny Dreer. Really, it is something to behold. Anyway, take a look at how the only 20 machines to be sold in the Great White North will come equipped...
http://tinyurl.com/y87dnjl
Norton's Stuart Garner Defends Donington Park Boss
Simon Gillett is seen by many to be the reason that Donington Park has run into administration. However, Garner has stepped forward to defend him - and with good reason. He sees the slander towards Gillett as disingenuous, and believes that he should be praised for doing whatever he could to work with the Formula 1 tyrant - and all around nasty person (I can say that here because this is my blog) - Bernie Ecclestone. Too true, Garner! Thanks for standing up!
http://tinyurl.com/y9qcygb
PR: Norton Motorcycles is Coming to Canada!
Well, the new Norton is not wasting any time - they are already setting up shop in Canada! Operations will begin in Newmarket, Ontario, and future dealership and service networks will be built. It turns out that this all came about when the principal at the old Norton Canada importer met with the new Norton crew at the Isle of Man TT earlier this year. Talk about serendipity! Thanks again Kenny Dreer!
http://tinyurl.com/yed7klw
YES! The New Norton 961 Commando SE Comes to USA
We actually get to see it first-hand in this country! The new Norton 961 Commando SE will make its premier at the Long Beach Cycle World International Motorcycle Show. Often, the US gets overlooked - or, at least the show circuit does - when new models premier in Europe, but not this time. Of course, the design is not too far from Kenny Dreer's hands and it once was right up here in Portland, Oregon. If you can get to the show, please do!
http://tinyurl.com/yhpk6on
The New Norton Commando 961 is Ready to Launch
The good folks over at MCN (UK) have supplied a video close-up look at the soon-to-be-released Norton Commando 961. It will debut at the Carole Nash International Motorcycle & Scooter Show at the NEC in the U.K. The video is short, but they do provide some useful information. Attached to the article is the earlier video in which MCN rides the Commando for the very first time. It is a lovely beast, and I wonder if they are giving Kenny Dreer any credit...
http://tinyurl.com/yzfw828
The 2009 Norton 961 Commando - Because It IS
New Norton 961 SE Commando - Sorry Kenny
The new owners of Norton are said to be releasing only 200 models of this beast, the 961 SE Commando, and I wish that I could buy one! Stuart Garner is not saying much about the company's future, though. If only...a new Norton manufacturing plant would look very nice in my neighborhood. If things had worked out for Kenny Dreer, it would have been quite close by. What a beauty, eh? Someday it will be mine...and, maybe, yours!
http://tinyurl.com/qje2as