Traitor

[muskrat]

Meh, not a fan of 30yo bikes, if I actually plan to ride it daily.
I don't like to dress like Indiana Jones to hunt maintenance parts like they were the Holy Grail

That, and the L-Z-Boys seat

you didn't get it........price and it looks great, even better in fact.  Also, you'd be surprised how unlikely it is for you to hunt parts for a honda that old.  This isn't a Ducati after all. 

[Kev M]

THIS is what I'm talking about.  
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/mcy/3433130954.html

That's fine if that's what you want - but it is patently ridiculous to call a NEW MODEL over-priced because you can buy a 30 year old one cheaper.

That's listed in the Great Book of Duh, page 1.

You always pay more for brand new.

You will also ALWAYS work more (repair and maintenance) on something that is decades old, than on something that is brand new.

I don't care if it was made by the holy Honda, NOTHING is impervious to degredation from age.

Seals dry out, metal corrodes, wiring insulation drys and cracks, solder gives out.

Not to mention even if restored it's got 4 carbs to balance, it's not EFI, there's no ABS offered, it is about as different in those basic areas as two related vehicles can be.

And for many, myself included, that's worth THOUSANDS of dollars. I paid my dues a long time ago. I want to hop on my bikes and ride, change oil once a yearish, and basically not worry about them because I have too many more important drains on my time (job, family etc). I want my bikes to work when I need them and not be a nuisance when I don't.

I'm not saying vintage bikes are crap, but they are VINTAGE BIKES and that means they will require more attention, be harder to find parts and accessories and, most importantly, according to the market, are simply WORTH less $$$.

A bargain if that's what you want, but not an equivalent. And certainly, NOT a statement on what this new bike should be worth at market.

[muskrat]

long response.  
I still prefer the old one  
although this is new technology I'd buy, yes I'm aware it's more expensive but it blows the Honda out of the water

[Kev M]

   I'll take the Norton first too. 

[muskrat]

At last we agree.  This is a nice replica of years past with just the right touches of tomorrow

[Speeddog]

But at 2x+ the price?

At last we agree.  This is a nice replica of years past with just the right touches of tomorrow

[HotIce]

No doubt the Commando is a great looking bike, but we are not even in the same galaxy, price wise.

[Kev M]

Well, if you want to be REALL honest, I'm buying a Guzzi V7 Stone before any of them....    Should be in any day now.

[DucHead]

Well, if you want to be REALL honest, I'm buying a Guzzi V7 Stone before any of them....    Should be in any day now.

Great looking bike!  Please post copious pics when you get it home!!         

[Kev M]

Great looking bike!  Please post copious pics when you get it home!!         

Will be happy to... now just waiting on FBF to tell me it's arrived in the crate finally!

Ordered the damn thing back in June and it was SUPPOSED to be in back in mid October.   

[jerryz]

2 year waiting list for the Norton ,they dont tell you that when you order one = lots off pissed off customers

[Kev M]

2 year waiting list for the Norton ,they dont tell you that when you order one = lots off pissed off customers

Are they still in operation? I thought I'd read that they were basically taking deposits from one potential owner to pay for building the bike for another. That without additional financing they were basically becoming the motorcycle equivalent of a Ponzi scheme. Didn't sound like they were going to make it.

[HotIce]

Sadly, it seems to be the case:

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2012/08/nortongate/

[Speeddog]

Sadly, it seems to be the case:

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2012/08/nortongate/

Would be nice if HFL credited the *original* author at the top of the story, rather than buried on the bottom.

http://www.bikerglory.com/2012/08/the-norton-saga/

[Ducatamount]

Stewart Garner is a flim flam man.
Call Matt at CNW and get a nicely sorted out real Norton.