If you owned Norton?
Discussion
The first one would perhaps be an underbone 125. I'd use this as a cash cow for the commuter, pizza boy and Asian market. By far and away the highest selling class of motorcycle worldwide.
Now they already have two engines. The 650cc and the 961 cc. The V4 I'll ignore as a boat anchor. I'd then embrace the racing heritage and build a sports 650, a proper one with clip ons and high quality cycle parts. A modern day RVF400 almost. You could use this to dominate the Lightweight TT, and it's the sort of road sports bike that will do well as speed limits continue to drop and we have to do track days to have fun.
Now they already have two engines. The 650cc and the 961 cc. The V4 I'll ignore as a boat anchor. I'd then embrace the racing heritage and build a sports 650, a proper one with clip ons and high quality cycle parts. A modern day RVF400 almost. You could use this to dominate the Lightweight TT, and it's the sort of road sports bike that will do well as speed limits continue to drop and we have to do track days to have fun.
But the bigger margins are on the bigger capacity bikes.
Isn’t trying to compete in a hugely competitive 125 market, where you need high volumes to get low piece prices to offer a bike at competitive retail price, unrealistic for a smaller manufacturer?
If it isn’t, why aren’t triumph doing 125s and why are the likes of Herald struggling to make much headway in the segment?
Isn’t trying to compete in a hugely competitive 125 market, where you need high volumes to get low piece prices to offer a bike at competitive retail price, unrealistic for a smaller manufacturer?
If it isn’t, why aren’t triumph doing 125s and why are the likes of Herald struggling to make much headway in the segment?
Model 1: Keep going with those retro things they have now - no R&D required apart of trying to decrease production cost.
Model 2: Some ultra modern interpretation of a naked twin in the guise of the Ariel or even Confederate (or Combat or Curtiss as they're called now). If the old 961 donk can be modernized, then great. Remember that there'll be no more new ICE bikes allowed for sale come 2035!
Model 3: Would be the Model 2 but with electric propulsion. Batteries may be more energy-dense by then and if some lightweight construction makes its way into the second model (such as the carbon fibre subframe a la Panigale SL, carbon fibre/forged aluminium front suspension like the Curtiss bikes) that'll offset some of the battery weight.
Model 2: Some ultra modern interpretation of a naked twin in the guise of the Ariel or even Confederate (or Combat or Curtiss as they're called now). If the old 961 donk can be modernized, then great. Remember that there'll be no more new ICE bikes allowed for sale come 2035!
Model 3: Would be the Model 2 but with electric propulsion. Batteries may be more energy-dense by then and if some lightweight construction makes its way into the second model (such as the carbon fibre subframe a la Panigale SL, carbon fibre/forged aluminium front suspension like the Curtiss bikes) that'll offset some of the battery weight.
I don’t think there was that much wrong with the types of bikes they were making. I was really interested in the Atlas and had a deposit down for a Superlight (miraculously I cancelled the order and got a refund). The problem was the build quality and customer service. If they can fix those two they could be alright with what they were trying to sell.
1: variations on the retro theme. As noted above just focus on cost and quality and maintaining margins whilst pricing them at a level that’s more attainable.
2: a very light 600 sportsbike. Base it around 10yr old moto2 chassis tech to keep it reasonably simple (a la Harris or kalex) and get it on the road under 150kg dry.
2: a very light 600 sportsbike. Base it around 10yr old moto2 chassis tech to keep it reasonably simple (a la Harris or kalex) and get it on the road under 150kg dry.
Always thought the 'brand' is underused?
Using it to sell branded 'retro' t-shirts, etc could be a nice earner for minimal outlay - licence it out.
Other than that, copy what Triumph have done, having bikes built in the Far East, or just assembled here, like MG. Hasn't cheapened Triimph's brand.
Disagree on the racing sider though - moneypit.
Using it to sell branded 'retro' t-shirts, etc could be a nice earner for minimal outlay - licence it out.
Other than that, copy what Triumph have done, having bikes built in the Far East, or just assembled here, like MG. Hasn't cheapened Triimph's brand.
Disagree on the racing sider though - moneypit.
Carry on bolting the various chassis bits together as even I can take bits out of a box and assemble. Buy the engine from triumph. Call it a Norumpf.
Anyway they have new ownership so I expect some sort of wankel v8 to be announced soon in the uncurious motorcycle press for its uncurious readers.
Anyway they have new ownership so I expect some sort of wankel v8 to be announced soon in the uncurious motorcycle press for its uncurious readers.
Fundoreen said:
Carry on bolting the various chassis bits together as even I can take bits out of a box and assemble. Buy the engine from triumph. Call it a Norumpf.
Anyway they have new ownership so I expect some sort of wankel v8 to be announced soon in the uncurious motorcycle press for its uncurious readers.
Yes dear.Anyway they have new ownership so I expect some sort of wankel v8 to be announced soon in the uncurious motorcycle press for its uncurious readers.
shirt said:
1: variations on the retro theme. As noted above just focus on cost and quality and maintaining margins whilst pricing them at a level that’s more attainable.
2: a very light 600 sportsbike. Base it around 10yr old moto2 chassis tech to keep it reasonably simple (a la Harris or kalex) and get it on the road under 150kg dry.
I like your idea number 2. Must still be some FTR Moto2 frames kicking around to copy, or get some people onboard from Suter2: a very light 600 sportsbike. Base it around 10yr old moto2 chassis tech to keep it reasonably simple (a la Harris or kalex) and get it on the road under 150kg dry.
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