Norton Motorcycles launched its first naked sport motorcycle and the most powerful British café racer – the Norton V4CR – on May 26. The younger sibling of the V4SV, the V4CR delivers artistic modern design coupled with a riding experience befitting its 185 brake horsepower.
Priced at £41,999 (Rs 43 lakh and with just 200 set to be made, the naked superbike café racer is the first brand-new motorcycle produced by TVS-owned Norton, following on from the re-engineered V4SV and new-generation Norton Commando 961 launched last year.
Meticulously hand built at the company’s Solihull headquarters, the new Norton inherits all the hallmarks of Norton’s DNA – flowing lines, the distinctive forward angle of the engine and the signature hourglass silhouette.
The stripped-back carbon-fibre fairing reveals the scrupulous attention to detail in the handmade aluminium frame, titanium exhaust system and precision welding. Exposed air intakes at the front, combined with the short body and compact tail unit, give the V4CR its unique aggressive stance.
Hand-built at the Solihull factory in the UK, only 200 V4CRs are to be produced. Norton’s 1200cc, 72-deg V4 engine optimised to produce 185bhp at 12,000rpm and 125Nm of torque at 9,000rpm.
Norton’s first naked sport machine
Available in two colour schemes, Carbon or Manx Platinum, the superbike café racer features an under-seat carbon fibre 15-litre fuel tank, with Kevlar reinforcement, and carbon-fibre body panels.
It is also the second motorcycle to be powered by Norton’s own liquid-cooled 1200cc, 72-degree V4 engine, which has been optimised to produce 185bhp at 12,000rpm and 125Nm of torque at 9,000rpm.
According to the company, “The combination of a handmade exhaust system and sound of the V4 engine ensures that UK roads reverberate with the iconic snarling of a Norton engine once more.”
A quick shifter and auto blipper system, adjustable Ohlins front and rear suspension, Brembo brakes, solid aerospace grade aluminium billet-machine yokes, a sophisticated lean-angle sensitive traction-control and three engine modes (wet, road and sport) are all featured on this British-made motorcycle.
As standard, the Norton V4CR has a traditional single round headlamp fitted with a modern LED unit, keyless ignition and a full-colour six-inch TFT display.
When it comes to the finishes, the Manx Platinum option presents platinum-coloured bodywork complemented by carbon panels, a striking orange seat and forged aluminium OZ racing wheels. The second option, the V4CR Carbon, features exposed carbon fibre bodywork, with a black seat and carbon fibre BST wheels.
Dr. Robert Hentschel, CEO of Norton Motorcycles, said: “The Norton V4CR is a raw expression of impeccable design and intoxicating performance. We’ve taken the engineering of the V4SV and stripped back the outer shell to ensure the rider gets a truly uninhibited motorcycling experience.
“The V4CR is the first completely new model we’ve built. Our engineering and design teams have been meticulous in their approach, from initial sketches to concept production, through to the final finishing touches. The bike is the culmination of all our learnings and investment over the last three years and we’re delighted that we can now share this taste of Norton’s future.”
NORTON V4CR TECH 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 @ 12,000rpm.
Torque: 125Nm @ 9,000rpm.
DESIGN
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: 1435mm.
Kerb Weight: 204kg
Headstock Angle: 23.5 degrees.
Yokes: Billet top and bottom.
Wheels: Carbon model: Carbon fibre BSTs. Manx model: OZ racing forged aluminium.
Steering Damper: Öhlins 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: 43mm Öhlins NIX30 fully adjustable upside-down forks.
Rear Suspension: Öhlins TTXGP Norton bespoke fully adjustable rear shock with hydraulic preload adjustment.
ELECTRONICS
Lighting: LED lighting for low beam, high beam, indicators and taillight.
Instruments: Full-colour 6-inch display with auto brightness adjustment. 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). Front and rear ABS. Wheelie control.
Ignition: Keyless ignition system with electronic steering lock (manual fuel filler cap).
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