TVS Norton reveal catalogue of woes with existing V4 superbike
35 defects found on original V4SS means owners can’t ride them and potentially face big a bill to fix their bikes
‘We are in direct contact with V4SS owners’ JOHN RUSSELL, INTERIM CEO
Norton’s new owners are working hard to fix defects with the V4 SS after a raft of complaints from people who bought bikes built by the previous custodians of the brand. Only now, after months of assessment, has it come to light just how many issues there are with the bikes made by the failed company – with 35 significant faults already listed on existing machines. While this is good news for people who paid deposits but have not yet had bikes, it feels like a disaster for those who took delivery from the old company, who fear they are now left with substandard machines. “Bikes with customers have found to be unroadworthy, causing any investment in these bikes to be significantly devalued,” says Shaun Taylor, who bought bike 180 of 200. “Commitments to address issues on these bikes of the now dissolved business are not translating into actions that restore our position… Those who paid a deposit and those who settled in full to the nowdissolved business will receive bikes from TVS [who now own Norton]. Those of us with bikes are left with a significant loss and appear to be in a far worse position than other creditors.”
When TVS bought the rights to the Norton name and bikes, they set up a new company rather than buying the existing one, and have no legal obligation to customers of the old company. Despite this, from the start TVS have always maintained they will do what they can to support these customers. “As part of a quality assessment and product development programme for V4SS models manufactured by [previous owners] NMUL Realisations Limited, we have identified certain defects and safety concerns on V4SS bikes sold to customers in 2019 and in early-2020,” says John Russell,
Interim CEO of Norton Motorcycle Company Ltd. “Under the guidance of the DVSA, we are in direct contact with all affected registered V4SS owners to address the safety issues in relation to the faults.” The problem has been further compounded because issues with the bikes are the responsibility of the old company and the liquidator BDO. Regardless, the new TVSowned company has assured MCN that they are working hard to support the liquidators by providing technical information relating to the numerous defects. “Since acquiring the company last year, we have been carrying out due diligence and product review protocols to ensure the safety of the customers that ride the motorbikes which bear the famous Norton name. As a result, we have discovered 35 potential defects that fall into one of three categories: either a safety recall, a check and replace if required, or a service action. While the ‘new Norton’ management was not involved in the production and supply of these bikes and is not responsible for the cause of these faults, we are voluntarily taking certain actions under the guidance of the DVSA to assist with potential safety problems and to ensure the good name of Norton continues.
“We appreciate that the owners of these bikes will be concerned. We are advised by the liquidators that affected owners may be able to make a claim for the costs of repairs [as part of the liquidation] and have worked with the liquidators to ensure those owners have been told how such claims should be made.”
‘Those of us with bikes are left with a significant loss’ SHAUN TAYLOR, EXISTING OWNER