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Norton V4SV — last of the British superbikes

Riley Riley

It’s the ultimate British superbike and Norton Motorcycles has just launched a re-engineered V4SV.

Inspired by 100 years of racing, the new V4SV becomes the only British designed and built superbike in production in the UK.

Priced at £44,000, it will be built at Norton’s recently opened multi-million-pound factory in Solihull, Birmingham.

V4SV is targeted at those looking for a high-end, track-ready bike and replaces the disappointing V4SS.

It’s not cheap, that’s for sure, and not sure where you can get one of these bikes in Australia — maybe readers could let us know?

The re-engineered V4SV is available in two colour options: Carbon and Manx Silver.

The Manx Silver option is finished in striking silver bodywork with red and carbon pinstripes, a black front number board and red OZ Racing forged aluminium wheels.

V4SV Carbon option features exposed carbon fibre body work finish and carbon fibre BST wheels for reduced weight and unrivalled response.

Both Norton V4SV colour options feature carbon fibre fuel tank and body work, a TIG-welded aluminium tube frame handcrafted and polished to a mirror finish and a Union Jack on the tail of the motorcycle.

Offering the ultimate superbike experience, each is equipped with Norton’s own liquid-cooled 1200cc, 72-degree V4 engine, that is optimised to produce 138kW of power at 12,500 rpm and 125Nm of torque at 9000 rpm.

The frame is aerospace-graded aluminium, which was designed and developed at the world’s most rigorous race track – the Isle of Man TT.

A full quick shift and auto blipper system, adjustable front and rear suspension, Brembo disc brakes, a sophisticated lean-angle sensitive traction-control and three engine modes (wet, road and sport) are all offered.

V4SV is fitted as standard with LED lighting for low beam, high beam, indicators and tail light, alongside a keyless ignition system.

Also fitted is a full-colour six-inch TFT display, which includes rear view camera functionality and an under-seat carbon fibre 15-litre fuel tank, with Kevlar reinforcement.

Norton Motorcycles CEO, Dr Robert Hentschel, said two years ago, Norton inherited the V4, a bike imagined on the track but born for the road.

“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,” he said.

“Thanks to TVS investing £100 million in Norton, and us subsequently investing wisely in our engineering processes and brand-new manufacturing base, we have ensured barely a part hasn’t been improved on from the bike we inherited.

“The V4SV is unlike anything on the market today, by design, but it’s everything you expect in a bike built by unapproachable Norton.

“Short gearing and engaging power make this a perfect bike for the road. 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.”

 

FULL SPECS

ENGINE

  • Engine Type: Norton 72-degree liquid-cooled V4, 1200cc. Chain-driven cams with idler gear for reduced engine height. Titanium inlet valves. Slipper clutch.
  • Bore & Stroke: 82mm x 56.8mm.
  • Compression Ratio: 13.6:1.
  • Fuel injection: Electronic fuel-injection system. 8-fuel injectors. Full drive-by-wire system independent on front and rear banks of cylinders for ultimate control and feel.

PERFORMANCE

  • Power: 185bhp @ 12,500 rpm.
  • Torque: 125Nm @ 9,000 rpm.

STYLING

  • Bodywork: Full carbon fibre.
  • Fuel Tank: Under-seat carbon fibre 15-litre fuel tank, with Kevlar reinforcement.
  • Footrests: Billet footrests and pedals.

CHASSIS

  • Chassis Type: Aluminium tubular chassis. Aerospace 5-axis CNC machined outriggers and headstock. Frame is hand TIG welded at Norton HQ and hand-polished to a mirror finish.
  • Adjustable Geometry: Adjustable rake angle, steering offset and swingarm pivot.
  • Swingarm: Braced and underslung single-sided billet swingarm with rising rate linkage geometry developed from the TT race bikes.
  • Wheelbase: 1434mm.
  • Dry Weight: 193kg.
  • Headstock Angle: 23.9 degrees.
  • Yokes: Billet top and bottom.
  • Wheels: Carbon model: Carbon fibre BSTs. Manx model: Oz racing forged aluminium.
  • Steering Damper: Ohlins damper.

Note: Chassis design was developed at the world’s most rigorous race track – the Isle of Man TT.

BRAKES

  • Front Brakes: 2 x 330mm floating discs. Radially mounted Brembo monobloc calipers. Brembo discs, and Brembo master cylinder.
  • Rear Brakes: Brembo 245mm rear disc. Brembo caliper and master-cylinder.

SUSPENSION

  • Front Suspension: Ohlins NIX30 system front fork. Fully adjustable.
  • Rear Suspension: Ohlins TTXGP Norton bespoke fully adjustable rear shock.

ELECTRONICS

  • Lighting: LED lighting for low beam, high beam, indicators and tail light.
  • Instruments: Full-colour 6-inch display with auto brightness adjustment. Includes rear view camera functionality (does not replace rear view mirrors), DRL-style lighting mode and rider ‘Engine Mode’ adjustment.
  • Engine Modes: Wet, Road and Sport.
  • Quick Shift: Full quick shift system and auto blipper.
  • Electronic Aids: Linked to Engine Mode: Lean-angle sensitive traction-control using six-axis
  • Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). Ignition: Keyless ignition system with electronic steering lock (manual fuel filler cap).

COLOUR OPTIONS

  • Manx Silver
  • Carbon

 

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Riley