Norton Launches The V4SV Superbike, A Track Bike Reimagined For the Road

The Norton-TVS partnership is bearing fruit with the British bikemaker launching the re-engineered V4SV superbike. Owing to the additional GBP 100 million (around Rs 985 crore) investment from TVS, Norton has been able to take the V4 it inherited only two years ago and make it even more beautiful and yet, potent. This motorcycle has been developed at Norton’s brand new design and R&D facility in Solihull, UK.

The new V4SV is a creation born out of Norton’s 100-year racing legacy and historic relationship with competitions like the Isle of Man TT, regarded by many as the most difficult road race in the world. Let’s have a look at what’s new on the re-engineered V4SV:

• The engine is a 1200cc, 72-degree, liquid-cooled, V4 unit with titanium inlet valves.

• The firepower it packs now is  187.56PS and 125Nm, 0.6PS and 1Nm more than before.

• The bodywork gets a full carbon fibre treatment for weight savings.

• The 15-litre underseat Kevlar-reinforced carbon fibre fuel tank also helps lower the centre of gravity.

• Additional weight savings come by the way of the footrests, pedals and even the swingarm being made from billet aluminium. 

• The TIG-welded aluminium tubular chassis has been, as Norton puts it, “hand-polished to a mirror finish.” 

• You can tinker with the rake angle and swingarm pivot for adjustable geometry.

• The Carbon version of V4SV gets carbon fibre from BST, while the Manx version gets forged aluminium wheels from Oz racing. 

• On offer is a fully adjustable Ohlins NIX30 system front fork with a steering damper, and an Ohlins TTXGP fully adjustable monoshock.

• Braking hardware from Brembo includes twin 330mm floating discs at the front and a single 245mm rear disc.

• A 6-inch TFT display to toggle between three riding modes (wet, road and sport) among other functions. 

• It also gets a keyless ignition system and electronically controlled steering lock.

• Six-axis IMU-enhanced rider aids, bidirectional quickshifter and auto-blipper. 

• The dry weight of the V4SV is an impressive 193kg.

The Norton V4SV will be available in two colour options- Carbon and Manx Silver. What’s most intriguing is that despite all the hardware and premium bits, Norton has priced the V4SV at GBP 44,000 (roughly Rs 41.71 lakh), and that’s not too bad. While this motorcycle is not likely to make its way to India, you can have a look at track bred road-legal motorcycles like the Ducati Panigale V4, BMW S 1000 RR, BMW M 1000 RR and Kawasaki Ninja H2.