news
Updated information from Donington Park – Feb 2012.
Peter Howes (President and CEO) and James Brown (CAO) and Jim Wild (Managing Director – Norton Calgary) visited the Donington Park facility in late February 2012. They had an opportunity to meet with Norton Motorcycles (UK) Ltd President and CEO Stuart Garner, along with other key staff members. We have provided videos of the visit through You Tube, so click the links below to see the interviews.
The target arrival date for the Norton 961 Commandos is late 2nd quarter of the year. Specific dates will be provided as the homologation testing nears completion.
Please be aware that the production levels are very low, therefore bikes will arrive in relatively small quantities for national distribution. Bikes are NOT anticipated to be available from a showroom floor, purchasers should be prepared to “book order” the bikes (specifying model, colour and any special features) and await delivery. Norton 961 Commando Sport and Cafe Racer quantities will NOT exceed 100 units for the 2012 model year for national distribution.
A Norton enthusiast on the 2010 Cafe Racer
The Norton 2012 Cafe Racer attracts lots of attention at the Edmonton Motorcycle Show
As the 2012 Norton Commando 961 Cafe Racer made it’s debute across the country and it attracted a lot of attention from Norton enthusiasts and new-comers to the Norton name.
Over 33,000 were in attendance at the show and many attended the Norton booth presented by Echo Cycle of Edmonton, our area dealer.
“Once again, the Norton attracted much attention and we were pleased to be able to showcase it in our exhibit” said Bryan Rolls of Echo Cycle.
The Cafe Racer has now completed it’s tour and returned to Norton’s office in Newmarket where we are preparing it for a variety of displays in preparation for the 2012 riding season.
The Norton 2012 Sport gets great reviews at the Ottawa Motorcycle Show
The Ottawa Motorcycle show was well attended this year, and the Norton Commando 961 Sport Edition was a show piece for the event.
Crowds at the event were frequently shoulder to shoulder around this spectacular bike. The Norton Commando 961 Sport Edition was displayed with vintage Norton bikes.
Our area dealer Wheelsport, is Ottawa’s leading provider of motorcycles and ATV’s.
The new 2012 Cafe Racer is a major success a the Toronto Motorycle Show
Motorcycle enthusiasts at the Toronto Motorcycle show had the first opportunity to see (and even sit on) the new 2012 Norton Commandon 961 Cafe Racer. The bike was quite a hit in the traditional Norton vibrant yellow. While the bike sports the same Spondon engineered frame, Menard redesigned powerplant and Bremo brakes, the inverted distinctive Ohlins shocks on the front, the classic Norton designed flyscreen and carbon fibre fenders at the front and rear provide the bikes distinctive look. The booth was visited by thousands of enthusiasts who wanted a glimps of this iconic motorcycle. Many Norton enthusiasts at the show told us that the Cafe Racer debut was their sole reason for attending the event, and they were not disappointed. Peter Howes (President – Norton Motorcycles (Canada) Ltd.) personally spoke to hundreds of interested visitors and was able to provide them with detailed information of the bikes performance, design and construction, since he took part in the build process at the factory.
Photos below: Peter Howes at the Norton Factory in Donington Park examining the build of the new cafe racer being built for it’s Canadian tour; Jez Taylor and Mark Davis are the British engineering built team for the Canadian debut Cafe Racer; Norton Motorcycles owner Stuart Garner, very proudly displays the newly built Cafe Racer prepared for it’s Canadian debut tour; in the bottom row are photo’s of the new Cafe Racer on display at the Toronto Motorcycle Show between Dec. 9-11th, 2011, where thousands of Norton enthusiasts had the opportunity to apprecite the bike up close.
News from Stuart Garner, CEO of Norton Motorcycles (UK) Ltd.
Peter: Please pass along to all your team, dealers and Canadian Customers my utmost commitment to provide product to the Canadian market at our first opportunity. I have personally taken steerage of the homologation program (certification) and both myself and the hard working team I have here are committed to this goal.
Stuart Garner
Dec. 17, 2011: Toronto, ON dealer expands and opens new location.
Many Toronto motorcycle enthusiasts are familiar with Joe Linardi and Kahuna Powersports facility on Steeles Avenue in the west end of Toronto. However, Joe has now expanded his operations with the introduction of Norton and other top end motorcycle brands, including MV Agusta and Indian, at his new location, RIDE Motorcycles on Islington Avenue at Hwy 7 in Woodbridge. Saturday December 17th was his official opening, and Joe was pleased to welcome new and old riders alike to the sparkling new facility. The Norton team was present at the opening, with the Norton Commando 961 Sport edition on display for visitors to the event.
Canadian certification process:
The Canadian program for having Norton’s approved for our market is dependent upon US 49 State EPA and CARB approval. Norton UK have opted to be classified as a “small manufacturer” view of the low over all production capability. The remaining testing program is projected to be completed in the first quarter of 2012. This will allow Norton Canada to seek federal regulatory certification for spring delivery of the bikes.
Norton newletters on-line
The most recent versions of the Norton News Canada can now be downloaded here on our web site;
Click on the links here for the Norton News Canada: Aug 2011 | Dec. 2011
Norton business news
Norton has been making headlines, not just for it’s bikes, but as an innovative leader in the advancement of the British industrial sector and in the recovery of the UK economy. These recent articles in the Sunday Times and the Financial Times speak to Norton’s leadership in this field.
Sunday Times | Financial Times
Fast Bike Magazine – Cafe Racer Review “Yeah, it’s expensive, but the truth is it’s actually worth every penny”.(Sept. 2010)
Bike Magazine – Norton is Back – New Commando 961 first proper road test
Mirror Motoring – Time to go Commando on this British belter
Motorcyclist Magazine – Britain’s Premier Norton Motorcycles – Euro Notes
News from Norton Motorcycles (UK) Ltd.
Canadian Motorcycle Guide – Details Emerge Commando-like
Canadian Motorcycle Guide – Norton, Royal Enfield at T.O. show
Inside Motorcycles – Norton Coming To Canada
Wheels – New Norton to debut at Toronto bike show
Wheels – Norton and Royal Enfield aim at separate niches
Cycle Canada – Norton debuts two new commandos