Pierre Terblanche Joins Norton Motorcycles

[m1moto]

Totally agree with TripleJ

Everyone bags on Terblanche...but is he any worse than who is designing their motos now? I think he was much better. Ducati's latest models aren't the prettiest. The current SBK is good looking, but other than that...

The Sport Classic series, MH900, Supermono, Hypermotard...all Terblanche. The 749/999 killed his reputation with Ducati fans. The MTS was ugly, but it was highly functional...and all bikes in that category are ugly.

I dig Terblanche - the new concept motos he did for Guzzi are the bollocks, I'll put one in my garage anytime. I think Norton did the right thing, kick off the company with a classic that riders old and new can relate to and then start designing bikes for other segments and attract different riders.

[Bishamon]

I always liked the 999, and the headlights in particular, though I'm in the minority.

[Jarvicious]

^^^ Right there with ya

[jerryz]

Funny thing is that the only one of his designs that I like/love and want  is the 999/749 all the others look dynamically or proportionally wrong or plain ugly.

[akmnstr]

Last night I watched an episode of Cafe Racers that had a segment on the new Norton's.  I was impressed that it is a small factory and the bikes are all hand made.  Beautiful bikes too.  I don't see how Pierre fits in with that setting.  It seems way to early to begin designing new bikes when the company is just getting off the ground. 

[77south]

The guy who designed the current crop of Nortons is a great designer.  Has he ever done anything else though?  Say what you like about Terblanche but he has experience designing bikes that can be built in volume.  I don't think I am alone in thinking that the new Norton won't last long unless they can add some affordable bikes to their range.  I'd love to have  a Norton in my garage, but I can't afford to pay 25000 for something that performs no better than my Sport 1000s.  If he can help them either make their current bike cost about half as much or help them put $25000 worth of performance in their current line, he could help bring Norton from a tiny volume custom company to a real medium volume motorcycle manufacturer.  Is there anyone here who would complain if Norton had as many models of motorcycle as KTM or Ducati?

[Silver King]

Anybody's that has ever had to adjust the valves on a Cagiva Gran Canyon will have a few words regarding his design techniques.

[akmnstr]

Is there anyone here who would complain if Norton had as many models of motorcycle as KTM or Ducati?

I'm all for more manufactures and more competition.  And I would like to see the British moto industry rise again but Norton's aim (at least for now) is to build hand made bikes.  It seems they will be a British version of MV Agusta, not another Triumph of KTM. 

[ducatiz]

Anybody's that has ever had to adjust the valves on a Cagiva Gran Canyon will have a few words regarding his design techniques.

I was unaware he did the GC.  I have to say that's one bike I do like the look of a LOT.

[derby]

I was unaware he did the GC.  I have to say that's one bike I do like the look of a LOT.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Terblanche

Terblanche designed the following motorcycles:

Cagiva 900 Gran Canyon
Ducati 888
Ducati Multistrada
Ducati Hypermotard
Ducati Supermono
Ducati ST2
Ducati ST3
Ducati MH900e
Ducati 749/999
Ducati1000 GT
Ducati PaulSmart1000LE
Ducati Sport 1000

[ducatiz]

Well then I am definitely suspicious because the St2 was a Galluzzi bike.  And I want to say the 851/888 was Tamburini, but I don't have it in front of me.

ST2 = Not Terblanche, and given the GC was made after Cagiva spun off Ducati (and Terblanche went with Ducati, not Cagiva) it is unlikely he did the GC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Terblanche

Terblanche designed the following motorcycles:

Cagiva 900 Gran Canyon
Ducati 888
Ducati Multistrada
Ducati Hypermotard
Ducati Supermono
Ducati ST2
Ducati ST3
Ducati MH900e
Ducati 749/999
Ducati1000 GT
Ducati PaulSmart1000LE
Ducati Sport 1000

[Raux]

These are the thing's I've heard hurt the bikes design reputation
1. No SSS
2. Vertical staked projector beams
3. Barge boards

-But the DSS was used again on the D16 and no one complained
-the vertical headlights still suck though. even if they had been covered with a smooth piece of clear plastic to clean up the lines, but the were just stuck in there...
-the barge boards were very effective i've heard and were all the fad in F1 so I can see the functional style of them and for CF freaks it was one more CF piece they could buy!

[Travman]

Last night I watched an episode of Cafe Racers that had a segment on the new Norton's.  I was impressed that it is a small factory and the bikes are all hand made.  Beautiful bikes too.  I don't see how Pierre fits in with that setting.  It seems way to early to begin designing new bikes when the company is just getting off the ground. 

I think you are correct. It is too early for Norton to branching off into different models.  Norton will probably have him design concepts bikes like what he did for Moto Guzzi in order to generate buzz and test the market. He probably will only be there a short time like he was with Moto Guzzi

[derby]

Well then I am definitely suspicious because the St2 was a Galluzzi bike.  And I want to say the 851/888 was Tamburini, but I don't have it in front of me.

ST2 = Not Terblanche, and given the GC was made after Cagiva spun off Ducati (and Terblanche went with Ducati, not Cagiva) it is unlikely he did the GC.

correct the wiki entry. =)

[ducatiz]

correct the wiki entry. =)

let me find something to document it.  but i know for a fact Galluzzi did the ST2