We finally get a look at the long-awaited Norton V4 1200. In fact, Norton has unveiled two versions, including the V4 SS and the V4 RR.
The hand-built aluminum frame houses the new engine, which makes 200 horsepower (according to Norton). The latest electronic aides are included, including an IMU with traction control, launch control and wheelie control. Data logging capabilities are included, as well as quick-shifter and adjustable engine braking.
The higher spec V4 SS (priced at £44,000) has reportedly sold out of its limited production run of 200 units. The less expensive V4 RR (£28,000) will also see a limited production run, but may still be available for purchase.
The public will see both bikes in the flesh for the first time this weekend at the Motorcycle Live Show in Birmingham, UK. Here are the specs released by Norton, followed by a video:
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 x Stroke: 82mm x 56.8mm
Compression Ratio: 13.6:1
Power: 200bhp + @ 12,500rpm
Torque: 130Nm @ 10,000rpm
Fuel injection: Electronic fuel-injection system. Constantly variable inlet tracts. 8-fuel injectors. Full drive-by-wire system independent of front and rear banks of cylinders for ultimate control and feel.
Euro 4: Full compliance including oil thermostat, knock sensors, secondary air injection and EVAP
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT:
INSTRUMENTS: Full-colour 7-inch display with multiple functions. Engine mode adjustability including: Road, Track and Pro-Race. Road modes include rear-view camera.
QUICKSHIFT: Full quickshift system and auto down blipper
ELECTRONIC AIDS: Multi-setting traction-control, wheelie control, launch control and cruise control. Uses six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
BUILT-IN DATALOGGER: Full data-logging capability including: lap times, max lean angle, max speed, max throttle, and max braking force.
ENGINE MODES: Road, Sport, Pro-Race
IGNITION: Keyless ignition system
CHASSIS:
TYPE: Polished aluminium twin tube Shotgun chassis.
ADJUSTABLE GEOMETRY: Chassis is fully-adjustable including swing arm pivot and adjustable rake angle. 23.9 degree steering head angle as standard set-up.
SINGLE-SIDED BILLET SWINGARM: 570mm long. Braced and underslung design developed in conjunction with SG5 TT race bike. Billet machined from 7020 billet aluminium.
WHEELBASE: 1430mm
DRY WEIGHT: 179kg
FRONT SUSPENSION: Ohlins NIX30 system front fork. Fully-adjustable.
REAR SUSPENSION: Ohlins TTXGP Norton bespoke fully-adjustable rear shock.
STEERING DAMPER: Ohlins damper
FORK YOKES: Billet machined top and bottom
FRONT TYRE: Tbc
FRONT WHEEL: Choice of carbon or forged wheels depending on spec
REAR TYRE: Tbc
REAR WHEEL: Choice of carbon-fibre or forged wheels depending on spec/colour
FRONT BRAKE: 2 x 330mm full-floating discs. Radially-mounted Brembo Monobloc calipers. Brembo discs, and Brembo master cylinder
REAR BRAKE: Single 245mm disc. Brembo caliper and master-cylinder
BODYWORK & STYLING: Full-carbon-fibre bodywork. Available in either bare carbon-fibre, or chrome with air-brushed Union Jack on the tail unit.
LIGHTING: Full LED lighting system including super bright low beam & high beam, angel eye DRLs, rear lamps and indicators
FUEL TANK: MotoGP-style 18-litre fuel tank is all carbon-fibre, with Kevlar reinforcement and chemically coated internally to meet fuel resistance standards. Underside of tank forms part of upper airbox.
FOOTRESTS: Billet foot rests, billet pedals and billet sprocket cover supplied on SS model. Forged foot controls on the V4 RR.
OPTIONAL: Full titanium race system supplied with aftermarket tune, approx 8kg lighter and approx 10bhp more. – NOTE: RACE EXHAUST NOT FOR ROAD USE
See more of MD’s great photography:
I admit i remain scetical as to the implementation of the plans of Norton under its current owner. Am i the only one who wonders why the do not pit emphasis in the photos and video on the engine, the marvel of this new bike. Do they actually have a running engine of their own? You may remember that some time ago they ran at the TT a bike powered by an Aprilia engine.
Finally, the engine cases seem different in the video VS photos.
The engine has pistons? What a waste.
I actually still own a 1975 Norton Commando Roadster bought new. It is my second Norton, I bought a 1970 Norton Commando Roadster new in Tooting (London) from Elite Motors using the tax free purchase deal that was available to Americans. This is not quite like a Norton. They were affordable bikes that had just a little more performance than your run of the mill BSA, Triumph, Laverda, Kawasaki H1 or Honda 4.
There’s no mistake or misstep here…gorgeous!
No more expensive than some of those Rushmore HD’s and plenty of people buy those.
The article said the first run of 200 is already sold out. Really?
I agree. Someone spends $40,000 on a Harley and not much is thought of it. There’s bicycles that are over $20,000 for Pete’s sake. I’d rather spend $40,000 on a limited production, collectible, and exclusive bike than a chromed up cruiser with fancy paint.
The reason some here are balking at the price is because it offers the same performance as an R1 (with most likely less reliability) and a basically non-existent dealer network. Sure, you can buy one if you want, but it just shows that you’ve got money to burn and an ego that needs stroking all the time.
That’s reading a lot into the purchase of something no more expensive than a well-optioned Honda Accord…
People here love to pigeonhole.
“If you buy THIS, then you’re THIS. Only THIS kind if person would ever buy THAT…”
It’s ridiculous.
nice bike…..unfortunately not in a price range for the average Joe..typical ….only the rich who can brag about owning one.
if i want performance ill take an R1M at a reasonable price.
What if you want “Bragging Rights”…? A Japanese Machine, no matter how powerful or refined, just won’t cut it for you…!
Such a shame that this bike is a “British”…
I wish it was Italian or something…!
Anyhow, there’s always Bimota, eh?
“Stay off the grass when writing a term paper.”
Despite being absurdly expensive will they make enough money selling this in limited quantities to justify the expense of developing it? It’s good looking, but wouldn’t be on top of my must have list.
I just like to putt around. Not interested in courting death at accelerated speeds.
At least it’s an actual Norton and not a Norprilia this time. Like the look, but too rich for my blood.
Lessee, a $40,000US unobtatinable bike from a boutique builder. Where have we seen this before. For the hedge fund manager who already has a ton of bikes. Okay, I don’t want one anyway.
Very pretty bike, I like how they fail to mention Triumph in the video. But what is BREMONT?
Apparently, a British watch-making firm. Doubtless top money…
http://www.bremont.com/
Love the chrome bodywork, looks very Terminator-ish! (T-2, or T3?)
Suppose my wife would get tired of me saying “I’ll be baaack” every time I went for a ride.
Say… that’s a nice bike
I already covered this
Same mistake all the other boutique builders do- build an exclusive overpriced bike that only a few well-heeled buyers can afford. That business model has been tried many times before. Good luck Norton.
Last I heard, Ferrari’s new model queue is two years. Not saying Norton = Ferrari, but only that Ferrari is not suffering financially.
Certain well heeled buyers purchase vehicles specifically to never or almost never pass one going the opposite direction.
The lower priced Norton costs only about 50% more than the most costly Ducati Super Bike, which IMO is reasonable value for increased exclusivity, and presumed advantage in torque and engine smoothness. (I read the outgoing Ducati twin has shorter and narrower torque curve to match the towering HP of its four cylinder competition. It’s interesting that this is the case, in spite of the Ducati’s 20% larger engine displacement, 1199cc vs. 999cc)
The stats don’t make it look anything more than just part of the scene and what scene is it? Is it a Britten, no, will it clean house on the track, doubtful, rule the road, not likely, so roll up to the fish and chips shop and chat with the fellow on the Hesketh or the Lotus, maybe an H2 or a replica Vincent wait, was that a superleggera that just roared by, bloody show off.
And I do not understand the plate that identifies what the bike is and the fact that it is hand made and where. My watch says swiss made, says on it 25/100 and a bunch of stuff identifying the movement etc, is the plate on the Norton like that? However,my watch is kind of an obscure piece, this bike is kind of obvious. I don’t get it unless this is some convention of labeling particular to Britain. Someone please clarify.
“Look, after the Superleggera thing, I’m kinda tapped out this week, ‘k? Oh, it’s not available yet? Splendid. That’ll give me time to move some funds around. Put me down for two.” – mickey
$30K ? Tsk.. That’s less than the mythical Motus
Does it have ABS? I saw no mention of it.
It’s quite lovely, and considering the exclusivity and promised performance the low-$30k USD range seems reasonable, if replacement parts exist which they might not. OTOH, many of these might exist behind glass in a brightly lit elevated display case.
Generally low production bikes fail in their cosmetic presentation, but this here thing looks pretty awesome.
Dirck: Please get one to test ride so we can experience it vicariously.
Performance wise I suspect it’s similar to a Japanese Super Bike, w/smoother motor and taller/wider torque curve.
I wouldn’t kick it out of my garage.
BEAUTIFUL!
I’ve only seen the new Norton Commando once, in the wild – and the guy sitting on top of it at the lights looked suspiciously like a well known moto journalist in my country. Has anyone else seen one owned by a real person?
An older guy at Road America a couple years ago had two of them.
“Everybody thought, everybody knew the V4 engine was the correct engine from an engineer’s performance route..”
I believe Soichiro Honda spoke the same thing?
It looks very big and very heavy. Which brings up the question, why build it? Or how about what does this have to do with Norton’s?
Yeah. 394 lbs, and a 56″ wheelbase. It’s a tank.
Your ass will be wet if it rains…
Most of the people who’re rich enough buy this don’t ride in the rain, or at all. The few that do can undoubtedly afford a butler riding a second bike beside them to hold up an umbrella.
Dirck, I love this website. The right amount of motorcycle news about bikes, accessories, racers, and custom jobs from around the world, served up in bite-sized, continuous portions, with unobtrusive advertisements. My fingers automatically type “motorcycledaily…” on any internet address field that I come across. Keep up the great work!
Ditto!
First site I check every morning at work 🙂
i thought they were using the Aprilia engine…? didn’t realise they were producing their own…? no mean feat.
That might be the proverbial shot to the foot. Anybody who actually rides it (however few they are..) will want to know that parts support will exist beyond the year of release.
That said, WOW. This thing sure is pretty.
Man, that’s shiny. If I was a bass I’d bite!
Ha
T1000: “Say, that’s a nice bike.”
Needs an extended swingarm and some LED’s . . . . . .
Who was that once said, “If it don’t go, then chrome it”.
I like the V4. Ohlins. Small production custom frame and motor. Nice.
Beautiful machine. And some people do have the $$$. The question is, do enough people have the money to keep Norton rolling? Saw an guy at the local Duc dealer picking up a new Panigale the other day. So people have some change in their pockets. New Biotech firms sprouting up all over East Cambridge, MA.
Looks serious. I hope this will not be another EBR-like experience.
My thoughts exactly. I’ll never won one (of these). I understand them wanting to jump in the deep end and play with the big boys, but, I would think that selling a few of the bikes they’re supposed to make and having a dealer to sell them is the first step. I did love them doing the IOMTT with it. It seemed to work well there.
Great looking bike. Hope they sell enough to make a version for the rest of us feasible.