Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/754035
IN THE WIND P36 NORTON LAUNCHES V4-SS, V4-RR T he Norton V4, the first all- British hypersport model ever to reach the marketplace, was unveiled at the Birmingham NEC Show, November 19, in two versions of the hand-built, 1200cc superbike, one of which is already sold out. The all-new Norton V4-SS and V4-RR are the most tech- nically advanced road-going British motorcycles yet pro- duced, and will enter production next year, according to Norton Motorcycles owner/CEO Stuart Garner. "We're very excited to be finally showing the world our new V4," said Garner. "For us, it's an incredibly exciting bike, which delivers everything with a little bit more swagger, and a little bit more exclusivity than the mass market superbikes out there today, but with a hand-built finish and made in exclusive numbers." There will be 250 examples of the base model Norton V4-RR, costing $34,905. They will be built in 2017, alongside the limit- ed-edition Norton V4-SS priced at $54,852, all 200 versions of which have already been sold. Both versions are powered by the all-new Euro 4-compliant liquid-cooled 16-valve 72-degree V4 engine with chain-driven DOHC developed by Norton at its Donington Hall factory, in conjunction with leading design consultants Ricardo Motorcycle. Measuring 82 x 56.8 mm for an exact capacity of 1200cc, the engine will be built in-house in the Norton factory and produce in excess of 200 bhp at 12,500 rpm, with maximum torque of 95 lb-ft at 10,000 rpm. It features titanium valves, a six-speed cas- sette gearbox and slipper clutch with auto-blipper quickshifter, plus dual injectors per cylinder and a constantly variable intake length system, with a full Ride- by-Wire throttle controlling the front and rear cylinder banks independently, which offers a choice of three riding modes: Road, Track and Pro-Race. Further electronic assistance comes with the provision of a six-axis Bosch IMU to give the rider full control of the 200-bhp TT-inspired motorcycle, us- ing one of the most advanced systems available. "It features traction control, engine braking strategies and launch control," says Norton's Head of Design, Simon Skinner, "along with a data-logging system for use on the track, as well as anti-wheel- ie, auto-blipper downshifts and a quickshifter upshift, and cruise control." A full-color seven-inch TFT dash monitors proceed- ings as well as giving access to the electronics, with a rear-view camera replacing the mirrors. Here she is! Norton's V4-RR is as stunning as they promised. Yours (if you can get one!) for nearly $35 grand.