Norton Motorcycles has launched its exciting new Cafe Racer, the V4CR. They are capturing the spirit of the past with modern, technically advanced machines. The most powerful British Cafe Racer makes a statement that the brand is back. Jeremy Webb gets to look around the beautiful bike.
The allure of Cafe Racers is still strong, and motorcycle companies continue to produce them, keeping the looks of the 1950s and 60s classics but crammed with the latest technology. Norton's V4CR continues the brand's affinity with Cafe Racers, which brought the company much success in motorsport and road bike sales. The V4CR Cafe Racer is Norton's first naked sport motorcycle based on the awesome V4SV.
The naked superbike café racer is the first brand-new motorcycle produced by TVS-owned Norton, following the re-engineered V4SV and new-generation Norton Commando 961 launched last year. Following in the tyre marks of Norton's V4SV, the new V4CR is a modern artistic design coupled with an exhilarating riding experience befitting its 185 brake horsepower. Only two hundred machines will be made, which are £41,999 each.
Hand-built at the Solihull headquarters, the new V4CR inherits all the hallmarks of Norton's DNA with beauty in its flowing lines. You can see the distinctive forward angle of the engine and the signature hourglass silhouette. You will see the attention to detail Norton has applied to the V4CR with touches such as the stripped-back carbon-fibre fairing, the handmade aluminium frame, the titanium exhaust system and precision welding.
The Cafe Racer has exposed air intakes at the front, combined with the short body and compact tail unit, giving the V4CR its unique aggressive stance.
The exquisite V4SV engineering allows the V4CR the exact surefooted handling and pinpoint power delivery without the barrier between the rider and the ride. It is an experience without the filter, marrying design and beauty with the intoxicating thrill of the wind in your face and a road yet to be discovered.
The V4CR is the second motorcycle to be powered by Norton's liquid-cooled 1200cc, 72-degree V4 engine, optimised to produce 185bhp at 12,000rpm and 125Nm of torque at 9,000rpm. Carbon or Manx Platinum are the colour options available for the café racer, which has an under-seat carbon fibre 15-litre fuel tank with Kevlar reinforcement and carbon-fibre body panels. The handmade exhaust system and sound of the V4CR engine ensure that UK roads reverberate with the iconic snarling of a Norton engine once more.
The Norton V4CR has a traditional single round headlamp fitted with a modern LED unit, keyless ignition and a full-colour six-inch TFT display. The Manx Platinum option presents platinum-coloured bodywork complemented by carbon panels, a striking orange seat and forged aluminium OZ racing wheels. The V4CR Carbon features exposed carbon fibre bodywork, with a black seat and carbon fibre BST wheels.
Competition in this hotly contested sector comes from many manufacturers; three to mention are the