Tiny British firm Norton has revealed full details of its £28,000 (€32,600 or $34,800) V4 RR superbike.
The firm has been talking up its plans for the new 1200cc V4 RR machine for some time and will finally wheel it out in public this Saturday.
Two versions are being made. A 200-off, limited-edition ‘SS’ model finished in bare carbon fibre and with carbon BST wheels is already sold out despite a £40,000 price tag. Now the first batch of 250 more affordable ‘RR’ models are going on sale at £28,000 each.
The V4 RR version gets forged wheels and a distinctive chrome paint finish.
Both bikes use a new 1200cc V4 engine developed with the help of engineering specialists Ricardo, mounted in a Spondon-designed frame similar to that used on Norton’s Aprilia-powered TT race bikes. The engine is unrelated to the Aprilia V4, though, and uses a 72 degree V instead of the Aprilia’s tighter angle. It’s claimed to make ‘over 200bhp’ and to offer 130Nm of torque.
The show bikes also feature unusual tech including a rear view camera and a colour TFT display. To comply with road regulations, Norton is likely to have to fit mirrors to production versions, though.
The suspension and brakes are typical superbike fare from Ohlins and Brembo, with Bosch supplying the electronics including traction control and a six-axis IMU. Strangely, there’s no sign of ABS yet, although it will need to be fitted to make the bikes legal for sale in Europe after January 1.
Engine
Engine type: Norton 72-degree liquid-cooled V4, 1200cc. Chain-driven cams with idler gear for reduced engine height. Titanium inlet valves. Slipper clutch
Compression ratio: 13.6:1
Displacement: 1200cc
Power: 200bhp + @ 12,500rpm
Cooling system: Liquid-cooled
Torque: 130Nm @ 10,000rpm
Bore x Stroke: 82mm x 56.8mm
Euro 4: Full compliance including oil thermostat, knock sensors, secondary air injection and EVAP
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
Electronics
Instruments: Full-colour 7-inch HD display with multiple functions. Engine mode adjustability including: Road, Track, and Pro-Race
Quickshift: Full quickshift system and auto down blipper
Electronic aids: Multi-setting traction-control, wheelie contril, launch control and cruise control. Uses six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
Built-in dataloggers: 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
Lighting: Full LED lighting system including super bright low beam & high beam, angel eye DRLs, rear lamps and indicators
Chassis
Type: Cast twin tube shotgun chassis, cast outriggers and headstock, polished tubes. (tbc). Engine acts as a structural member
Adjustable geometry: Chassis is fully-adjustable including swingarm pivot and adjustable rake angle. 23.9 degree steering head angle as standard set-up
Swingarm: Braced and underslung single-sided cast swingarm. 570mm long, design developed in conjunction with SG5 TT race bike
Wheelbase: 1430mm
Dry weight: 179kg
Note: Chassis design was developed at the world’s most rigorous race track – the Isle of Man TT. The geometry, weight distribution & ergonomics were all tested and developed on the SG5 TT race bike which finished seventh at the Superbike TT and achieved a near 130mph average speed lap in 2016 at the hands of Australian rider David Johnson
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: Cast top and bottom
Front wheel: Forged
Rear wheel: Forged
Front brake: 2 x 330mm full-floating discs. Radially-mounted Brembo monobloc calipers. Brembo discs and Brembo master cylinder
Rear brake: Single 330mm disc. Brembo caliper and master cylinder
Styling
Bodywork: Full carbon-fibre. Available in either carbon-fibre or chrome
Fuel tank: Underseat MotoGP-style 18-litre fuel tank is all carbon-fibre, with Kevlar reinforcement and chemically coated internally to meet fuel resistance standards
Footrests: Forged footrests, footplates and carbon heel guard. Cast sproket cover
Options
Full titanium race system aftermarket tune, approx 8kg lighter and approx 10bhp+ as optional accessory.
