Norton Motorcycle company was founded in 1898 in the UK. Initially, as a manufacturer of parts and fittings for the two-wheel ride, in 1902, Norton started manufacturing their own motorcycles, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Norton motorcycles aimed to bring a hand-built state-of-the-art bike, developed and tested at the Isle of Man TT, the world’s toughest racetrack, to the public, and it seems it has managed to do that with the V4SS. Superbly streamlined curves and performance are the trademarks of this bike.
However, plenty of other details set this superbike apart from its competitors, such as the elegantly styled carbon fiber body, 72-degree 1200cc V4 engine, and race-developed rear and front shocks. All of which makes it a formidable contender alongside the BMW S1000RR, Honda Fireblade, and Ducati 1299 Panigale S.
What inspired the team to create such a beautiful ride was the tremendous 118-year experience that Norton company has in building superbikes as well as a combination of design techniques and competent British engineers. With the V4SS, speed is the motivating aspect. Surpassing 200 mph is not uncommon with this machine.
Let’s have a closer look at the superbike’s most notable features.
The V4SS Has An Incredible Engine
When it comes to the engine, Norton joined forces with Ricardo, a British engineering firm, and used their experience with Aprilia’s V4 to produce its very own V4SS. Although some dismiss this ride as an Aprilia knock-off as they are similar in design and format, this isn’t the case.
V4SS runs a compact 72-degree V-angle engine with a stroke of 56.8mm and a bore of 82mm, whereas the Aprilia is 65 degrees. Formerly, its team of engineers wanted to use a 90-degree configuration on the engine but later realized the 72 degrees worked just fine for the V4 chassis geometry.
With at least 150kw power, it produces 200 horsepower at 12,500 revolutions per minute (rpm) at maximum output. Power is tamed using an electronic rider-aid package developed by Norton. Its chain-driven twin overhead cams and titanium intake valves inside the motor have an idler gear to make the head more compact.
Dual injectors in each combustion chamber deliver fuel, then the induction control drops to the ride-by-wire throttle system. Using chain-driven cams, the liquid-cooled mill times the valvetrain with super-tough and ultra-light titanium ingestion valves, reducing the reciprocating mass up top.
The anti-rebound clutch is designed to enable riders to ride the sports bike more easily. Intakes of variable length consist of a complete accelerator system and eight injectors. It produces a whopping 130Nm of torque at 10,000rpm.
Besides, the Norton V4SS comes with cruise control, launch control, engine modes (Pro-Race, Sport, and Road), wheelie control, and even an adjustable engine braking system. Moreover, the 70-inch screen features a rear-view camera for road mode only.
Data registration exhibits maximum throttle, maximum speed, maximum lean angle, lap times; with a slipper quickshifter and clutch for clutchless shifts (up and down) with a merged blipper. Suspension is a mixture of Ohlins TTXGP rear shock and Ohlins NIX30 forks.
A one-sided swingarm clears the rear wheel with an entirely adjustable TTXGP monoshock to dampen and tame the motion, while Ohlins NIX30 forks perform wonders with a billet triple tree for strength.
The V4SS Has A Hefty Pricetag
The Norton V4 was built in two forms, the lower specification RR and the range-topping SS. Not that the V4RR is lower in the specification. While the RR uses less expensive cast items, the SS employs CNC-machined parts for its swingarm and a hand-built aluminum frame, thus much higher pricing of approximately $72,500 (£44,000), unlike the RR's slightly palatable cost of roughly $46,000 (£28,000).
The V4SS Has High-Tech Design Features
Norton’s SS racebike, forged and smelted in the crucible, isn't just an SGS with a plate holder and street-legalized lights, but instead is a unique top-down design ideally based on the most race-tastic rides.
At the forefront, there is the carbon-fiber bodywork that defines the look from nose to tail. Its front fairing forms an “alien queen” entry, which encloses the headlights like a pair of eyes underneath the speed screen. It has a Kevlar-reinforced carbon-fiber fuel tank beneath the seat, as well as a carbon weave that drifts into the engine cowl’s scoop.
The saddle and tank converge at the narrow waist with a sudden rise to the streamlined segment to keep the rider's bottom in position, and you can forget about carrying a passenger because that isn’t happening.
The V4SS is, therefore, one hell of a bike, and considering its pricing, displacement, and power, it offers a narrow set of parameters to work with. Luckily, Ducati served as a one-stop-shop with the V4. Not only does it meet all of the above specifications with technical magical galore and power, but it also enjoys a comparable race-tastic reputation.