Another British marque is stirring again with new life. Norton Motorcycles, which has been struggling is now owned by TVS Motors of India and they’ve made a substantial investment in the company, building an all new, state-of-the-art factory and the new V4SV superbike along with the prototype V4CR Cafe Racer. These are not your grandfather’s Norton, not your father’s, not even your older brother’s, they are all new.
Both motorcycles are powered by a 185 horsepower, 1200cc, 72 degree V4. The frames are TIG welded aluminum, polished to a mirror finish, billet-machined swingarm, foot pegs, pedals and yokes, carbon fiber bodywork in two color options, Manx Silver or Carbon, they are striking in appearance and nothing like the Norton’s of old except by pedigree. Brembo brakes, Ohlins suspension, everything you would expect of high quality modern motorcycles.
Overall, the new designs avoid the sharp angles and edges we too often see on new bikes while giving the appearance of a no nonsense performance machine, a modern sporting ride with Norton bloodlines. I like them both, though I’m curious why the cafe racer still hides the engine, perhaps the visuals don’t blend well with the rest of the design. In any case, I expect them to be very well received.
This is what happens when you have the financial backing to build a first class factory and assemble a team capable of doing the necessary work to introduce all new models. I have high hopes for Norton’s success.
Check out the new Norton: Norton Motorcycles
Rotor says
I suspect the price will make Ducati`s look like a bargain .
Paul Crowe says
Given what looks like a lot of hand finishing, polishing frames, etc., plus the investment and the lower volumes, you may be right. On the other hand, they have to know they can’t price it so high they’ll never sell, after all, the business has to make sales to succeed, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Rotor says
I hope you are right but Norton doesn’t seem to have found a competent investor for 50+ years , the latest offering is not going to be affordable to your average biker , they should take a look how John Bloor resurrected Triumph ….quality affordable bikes.
Marcel Ginchereau says
Really nice. I waited to see the price
todd says
Looks like CAD renderings to me
David says
The carbon one hints at the Ronnie Petersen era JPS F1 livery
I think the livery was used on some Norton JPS,
Syd says
Prices have been a bit high so far, but if they also make a big single, say 850 or 950cc with 5 valves and a counterbalancer or 2 snuck into a Manx – like crankcase and cylinder form, big fins and all, leave it naked, tough aluminum alloy featherbed type frame, actual 8 guage spoked Borrani/Akront type flanged wheels etc, a couple of small disc brakes concealed inside each of the Manx type hubs (aluminum, not magnesium), then I will sell everything else and buy it. Not retro mod, but looking just like a Manx. Joe Craig might have been difficult, but he knew exactly what he was doing. PS, same with the Gold Star, Mahindra. Fins aren’t big enough, exhaust doesn’t look quite right. Stir passion, we throw money at you. Love the V4, would look great next to a big single which should be able to drive right around it when the straights shorten up and the road gets twisty. Good luck!
Victor Herbert says
Very nice design and pleasing to the eye, I hope they do good. On the other hand I still prefer my old atlas, it is so smooth. Yeah yeah I am old.
Alex says
These are neat and it’s kind of cool that they’re pursuing the v4… but I feel like they’re missing the mark a little. A heritage type machine would be a good way for them to pay for the sportier models. Something like what triumph does. For me I’d need a parallel twin to get excited about Norton again. If I want a super bike there are plenty of fine options built by firms who have been building them for decades. Hopefully they’ll pursue the retro bike market in the future. As someone who has always wanted a Norton, I don’t want either of those concepts.
Doug says
Paul – the v4 Panigale makes 210 hp & 90 ft lbs with about 100 less cc’s & without the polish, compared to this Norton’s 185 hp & 92 ft lbs. The arguably best-looking (of the 3) aprilia rsv4 Factory makes 217 hp & 91 ft lbs.
Is Norton trying to create a 2-wheeled equivalent to an Aston Martin?
I’d be more of a fan cheering them on if they also presented a product that will sustain this v4 product platform, like an electric scooter. aprilia didn’t get to where they are with just top tier performance bikes.
Paul Crowe says
Who knows what they have in the pipeline, there might be some small displacement singles or twins or something else, but the new owners are probably trying to make a bold statement to start. The new factory gives the impression they plan on being around for a while.
Doug says
They should know better than to take this approach after all that this brand name has been dragged through going back to before the Norton Nemesis.
The buying public has been hardened and those that did take buying steps in recent years have been screwed out of cash, so any early marketing must make wise decisions. These marketing moves reflect on the new company’s overall judgment & awareness of how the buying public feels.
When is their “pipeline reveal” going to come and why would it be delayed considering the past similar hype, only to end in failures?
I wish them well, but again, the moto public is not seeing anything different and we are beyond rolling eyes. This latest marketing hype without some indication of a cash cow product to sustain the company has reached a point of insult and nuisance.
#LeaveTheBrandNameAlone
Mr.R.Helberg. says
Norton will always remain an icon in motorcycle history.So many greats have ridden them too victory.The new Norton is in a class of its own.Long live the Norton brand.