To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Norton’s involvement with the world-famous Isle of Man TT Races, the British manufacturer has launched a re-engineered V4SV Superbike. Norton is synonymous with producing iconic machines with racing pedigree. The British brand has been linked with the most famous motorcycle racing at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy since the origins of the competition.
The new V4SV is a racing bike that happens to be road legal and is also the only British-built and designed superbike currently available. You will have to pay £44,000 for it but you get a lot for your money. Norton has placed their liquid-cooled 1,200cc, 72-degree V4 engine on the V4SV, producing 185bhp at 12,500rpm and 125Nm of torque at 9,000rpm. The engine sits in an aerospace-graded aluminium frame, designed and developed at the world’s most rigorous racetrack: the Isle of Man TT.
The Norton V4SV is basically a racing bike that happens to be road legal.
This machine is capable of racing with full quick shift and auto blipper system, adjustable front and rear suspension, and Brembo disc brakes. The V4SV also has a sophisticated lean-angle sensitive traction control system, and you have three engine modes (wet, road and sport) to control power output to the rear wheel. This is particularly beneficial with the amount of power the V4SV produces.
The Norton V4SV is fitted with LED lighting for low beam, high beam, indicators and tail light, alongside a keyless ignition system. You have a fabulous full-colour six-inch TFT display, including a rear-view camera functionality and an under-seat carbon fibre 15-litre fuel tank with Kevlar reinforcement.
The full-colour six-inch TFT display with rear-view camera functionality is intuitive to use and very clear to see.
CEO of Norton Motorcycles, Dr Robert Hentschel, said, “Two years ago, Norton inherited the V4 – a bike imagined on the track but born for the road, a bike that promised to blend poise, performance, and power. Over the last 18 months we have worked tirelessly putting this machine through our new world-class facilities in Solihull to proudly deliver on our promise to Norton owners.”
Norton is putting much faith in the new V4SV, and I can see it being a popular bike with both loyal Norton owners and new buyers. Motorcyclists worldwide love British motorcycles and the name Norton carries substantial weight. When it comes to people handing over their money, especially £44000, they want to know the bike has a pedigree and the V4SV has this in spades. As Hentschel stated, “This is the ultimate British superbike that will challenge and excite riders from the moment they get on the bike to the moment they get off. It is undoubtedly a beautiful piece of art… unlike anything on the market today by design and everything you expect in a bike built by Norton. Short gearing and engaging power make this a perfect bike for the road.”
The Carbon option with its exposed bodywork finish and carbon fibre BST wheels has a definitive “bad boy” look about it.
The bike comes in two colours, one is Manx Silver which is a nod to the Isle of Man and the other is Carbon. The Manx Silver has striking silver bodywork with red and Carbon pinstripes, a black front number board, and red OZ Racing forged aluminium wheels. The V4SV Carbon has an exposed bodywork finish and carbon fibre BST wheels for reduced weight and unrivalled response. Both options feature a carbon fibre fuel tank and bodywork, a TIG-welded aluminium tube frame handcrafted and polished to a mirror finish, and a Union Jack on the motorcycle’s tail.
I can’t wait to ride one.
https://www.nortonmotorcycles.com
Words: Jeremy Webb
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