When the revived Norton revealed its first new creations, the V4SV Manx and Carbon editions, there was plenty of buzzes.
Some of it was performance-related: claims that the company’s first 1200cc V4 would make 185 horsepower and hit 125 newton-meters (or about 92 pound-feet) of torque were met with excitement in some circles.
And we all know that looks matter, too: the more modern interpretation of a classic café racer style might have turned some heads, but not like those exposed titanium headers.
V4 Cafe Racer Prototype
The classic British two-wheeler brand Norton Motorcycles will be at the NEC Birmingham from December 4 through 12 for the annual motorcycle show, Motorcycle Live. Its presence is centred around a new machine we will discuss here: the V4 Cafe Racer Prototype.
If we know one thing about motorcyclists, they love café racers. This passion for street-based custom bikes has produced some of the most attractive and tasteful motorbikes ever made.
Moreover, the British marque Norton has always been known for its stylish yet lovely motorcycles.
One look at their wheel-standing Commando from the 1980s, and you’ll see what we mean.
Norton is planning to launch a limited number of motorcycles later this month to create a cafe racer of its own.
Norton Motorcycles has just announced a prototype cafe racer version of the V4. The bike was designed and built in house, showing how new headquarters in Solihull are shaping up. It is the first Norton V4CR prototype from that facility, which opened in 2017.
The prototype model will likely make it into a production model soon. Sources had previously said that Norton would have a 1200cc V4 engine.
However, we see the rear frame getting shorter on the V4CR than on the V4SV.
We also see carbon fibre on body panels, and the fuel tank, swingarm and frame are made from billet aluminium.
Quote
“The prototype VC4R is the next step in Norton’s strategic growth plan on its journey to becoming the world leader in luxury hand-crafted motorcycles,” Norton CEO Dr Robert Hentschel said.
via Norton Motorcycles
