New hand-built Norton V4CR 185hp cafe racer to be built in 200 units
The Norton V4CR will be built in only 200 units, carrying technology and components from the V4SV sports bike into its neo-retro, cafe racer bodywork.
Norton Motorcycles has revealed a new model, the Norton V4CR, as a neo-retro sports naked addition to its roster.
The Norton V4CR is very much based on the Norton V4SV supersports bike that was launched by the British brand last year.
Sharing the same 1,200cc engine as the V4SV, the V4CR produces a maximum of 185 horsepower, and 125Nm of torque; while the frame is also the same TT-developed aluminium unit used on V4SV.
The ‘CR’ in the V4CR’s name stands for ‘cafe racer’, hence the neo-retro styling (complete with full-carbon fairing) and is the first all-new motorcycle launched by Norton since its ownership was taken up by TVS Motors, who oversaw the launch of the “re-engineered,” as Norton likes to put it, V4SV and Norton Commando 961.
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.”
Hand-built and including Brembo brakes, a quickshifter and auto-blipper, yokes machined from billet aluminium, aluminium OZ racing wheels, and Ohlins suspension, only 200 Norton V4CRs will be produced, costing £41,999 each.
Head to the Norton website to register your interest.
2023 Norton V4CR Full Specification
Engine
Engine Type: Norton 72-degree liquid-cooled 1,200cc V4. Chain-driven cams with idler gear. Titanium inlet valves. Slipper clutch.
Bore & Stroke: 82mm x 56.8mm.
Compression Ratio: 13.6:1.
Fuel injection: Electronic fuel-injection system, eight injectors. Full ride-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.
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).
Colour Options
Manx Platinum
Carbon
2022 Norton V4SV Ridden on Track | Is This The Ultimate British-built Superbike?
Alex has been working in the motorcycle industry for as long as he has been at Visordown, which has been since March 2022 so we'll let you work it out from there. He's the new guy. He'd be fetching us all coffee 'round the clock if he wasn't based in the arse end of nowhere.
