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Norton Motorcycles Gets Serious with a New Factory, Superbike and Cafe Racer

By Paul Crowe

Norton V4SV superbike

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.

Norton V4CR Cafe Racer prototype – exhaust shown is not final version

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.

V4CR Cafe Racer in Manx Silver

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.

Norton V4SV in Carbon color scheme

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.

The overhead view shows flowing lines, it looks good from every angle

Check out the new Norton: Norton Motorcycles

Posted on January 16, 2022 Filed Under: Motorcycle Business Tagged With: Norton


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Comments

  1. Rotor says

    January 16, 2022 at 2:25 pm

    I suspect the price will make Ducati`s look like a bargain .

    • Paul Crowe says

      January 16, 2022 at 2:30 pm

      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

        January 16, 2022 at 5:21 pm

        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.

  2. Marcel Ginchereau says

    January 16, 2022 at 3:33 pm

    Really nice. I waited to see the price

  3. todd says

    January 16, 2022 at 3:39 pm

    Looks like CAD renderings to me

  4. David says

    January 16, 2022 at 5:11 pm

    The carbon one hints at the Ronnie Petersen era JPS F1 livery

    I think the livery was used on some Norton JPS,

  5. Syd says

    January 16, 2022 at 9:17 pm

    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!

  6. Victor Herbert says

    January 18, 2022 at 9:33 am

    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.

  7. Alex says

    January 18, 2022 at 11:38 am

    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.

  8. Doug says

    January 18, 2022 at 2:38 pm

    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

      January 18, 2022 at 4:11 pm

      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

        January 19, 2022 at 2:16 pm

        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

  9. Mr.R.Helberg. says

    January 23, 2022 at 3:39 am

    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.

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