Comments on: Norton Motorcycles Suspend Operations

By: Roy

Roy — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 01:00:14 +0000

Ladies and Gentleman this is a sad day indeed, not only have the hopes and dreams of the norton company employees/founders/investors not been realized, but also the norton enthusiast. I can only hope the story will not, MUST NOT end here! My belief in this endeavor is so strong I would gladly purchase stock before product. There will be a day for my new norton but until that day WE MUST STAY THE COURSE! If a private investor/investors can not be found I would pray that the attempt to offer shares to the public would be the next logical step. Sincerely Roy Chapman

By: kneeslider

kneeslider — Wed, 03 May 2006 10:45:12 +0000

I remember at least one Norton giveaway from about that time, signed up myself. Looks like those won’t happen.

What is good to hear, however, is that all of those who put down deposits for a new Commando will be getting a refund. Up front deposits are often lost when a company has money trouble. I’m, glad to hear that won’t happen with Norton.

By: Dangit!

Dangit! — Wed, 03 May 2006 08:35:49 +0000

Darn. My dad actually won the GRAND PRIZE from Norton in a charity give-away which was a brand new Commando… two years ago. He hasn’t seen any sign of delivery and now I guess that’s never to happen.

Hate to see them fail. And fail to keep their promises to my dad, too.

By: kneeslider

kneeslider — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 12:00:26 +0000

One of the main reasons I put this story out here is to make sure people involved in the motorcycle community knew Norton was having financial problems. If you’re trying to round up money from investors, you have to let interested parties know, especially those who think your product is a winner, not just the usual money guys. Maybe some group of Norton enthusiasts could fund the company or at least partially fund their shortfall. Who knows?

That said, conversations I’ve had with a few others question the amounts of money still necessary. Maybe there’s a different way to produce the bikes that doesn’t require a cash infusion of the size mentioned. They already have several prototypes on the road so much of the tooling must already be in place, now they have to build the bikes. We’ll see how creative they get while trying to make it happen.

By: Dave Hilliard

Dave Hilliard — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 11:22:24 +0000

I am a Norton enthusiast from England I have a 32 year old Commando. I’m very sad and disappointed, the new Commando looks fantastic and I would have loved to have owned one or set up a dealership they would have sold like “hot cakes”.

I’ll chip in for some shares if need be to ensure this fine looking machine stays in production.