Say hello to the bike that Norton should have put out years ago. The Norton V4SV is the Falcon Heavy rocket for the brand, the bike that will bring it back from the Stuart-Garner-bullshit brink.
This machine is based on the 1,200cc V4 superbike that was shown five years ago, but with TVS Motors backing it will be more than a pipedream. This bike is the real deal.
The new Norton Motorcycle Co. Ltd. is here to make its mark anew and the V4SV is the bike that will do it. Or at least that’s how I see it.
Norton V4SV- a New Superbike for a New Norton
The new V4SV will come in two different models, the Manx, and the Carbon.
The frame of this motorcycle is handmade (a TIG-welded, aluminum tube chassis). The engine is the same 72-degree V4 that was showcased in the original version. It has been tweaked, though, to produce 185 hp instead of the 200 hp that the old version claimed. Torque is 92 lb-ft.
I thought the drop in the horsepower was likely due to the improvements the company made in safety and reliability—a welcomed change, at least in my eyes—but according to Cycle World, the drop comes from the fact that the bike is a fully-fledged road bike now. The exhaust you see here is a racing one, and a larger quieter one will be on the road bike.
The suspension, bodywork, and much of the rest of the bike are carried over from the original model, so I won’t go too far into them here. But you get Ohlins kit with Brembo brakes, a quickshifter, and some fancy electronics. You have three ride modes, a backup camera, keyless ignition, and lean-sensitive traction control.
As for the different models of this bike, the Manx gets painted carbon bodywork and Oz Racing wheels. The Carbon gets exposed carbon fiber and some BTS wheels.
The price for this bike hasn’t been announced, but what I’m seeing floating around is about $60,000 for the carbon and around high $30,000 for the Manx, which is just wicked high. I know it’s a handmade Norton, but that’s a lot of money. Still, it is a beautiful bike and one that I’d likely drop the cash on if I were a well-to-do English gent with a track pass.
To learn more, head to Norton’s website. To search for a Norton of old to buy, check out Norton eBay listings.
