It’s a big surprise in the motorcycle industry. Norton is contemplating manufacturing a V4-powered superbike to compete with the Ducati 1299 Panigale and the Superleggera IS. Norton’s Head of Design, Simon Skinner says that “It has been something we’ve wanted to do as a brand since 2009. When I first started with Norton we had very early discussions talking about V4 and the type of bikes we wanted to do. But we had to get the business right first.” (the Norton company was re-launched in 2008)
The 1200 cc fuel-injected, liquid-cooled V4 powerplant will deliver 200+ hp and will incorporate a MotoGP-derived engineering solutions. Ricardo Motorcycles is in charge of developing the motor. Frame will use aerospace aluminum welded and polished at the Norton plant, with body and wheels made out of carbon fiber. Projected specifications after the jump.
– 1200cc 72 degree V4 – 200+bhp but focus on drivability, character and design quality
– Full carbon body work
– Aluminium fabricated main frame made from aerospace aluminium
– Carbon wheels
– Single sided swingarm, either carbon or billet
– LED headlamps
– GP spec electronics with full colour dash, traction control and ABS
– Hand polished billet yokes
– Underseat fuel tank and GP style bike packaging
– Top line running gear, Ohlins gas forks and TTX rear shock
– Under slung silencer with titanium headers
– Brembo mono-block brakes
The problem with the ‘ new ‘ Norton is all one seems to read and see is a whole lot of plans with very little if any action to back them up . Norton vying with P-V-I for the ” Empty Promises ” award of 2015 . All bets are Norton won’t last the decade .. if even that
Empty promises? That’s a joke. Very cool concept.
awesome… we could use more choice in the sportbike realm… of course when it comes I wont be able to afford it , but someone will. 🙂
Damn, that’s a nice looking concept bike! Hope they can build it. Using this same motor I’m also wondering how a naked concept bike would look like to compete against the Ducati Diavel etc.
Norton racing again would be amazing.
TJ is you ever come up with something positive then contribute, otherwise if it is negative do not
Bye TJ
Roooll another one …..just like the oootheer one
Wow! Take that Triumph, BMW and KTM.
I have a feeling that NORTON has died, R.I.P. Too bad, will be missed.
Long time readers remember that Rodent bet that Polaris would not be able to relaunch Indian. Would not manufacture even 1 model. He, he. Rodent’s predictions are always wrong.
pretty bike. hope norton succeeds with it. what’s with the exhaust pipe collectors facing forwards?
Nice looking scooter.
Rather then try and produce another “World Beater”…. wouldn’t it be nice if they produced an updated vertical twin that had all the charm of the classics without the tempreamentality.
Looks to me like Enfield may have (almost?) found that “Sweet Spot”…. Triumph certainly did with their “New/Old” twin. Why not Norton….???
-nicker-
nicker, if you check the Norton site from the U.K. you’ll find a real nice café racer style of bike that you are talking about. It’s called the Norton Dominator SS.
Nicker, um Norton has been building the bike you described for some time.
Really people….. Google.com
Why all this negativity about Norton? Yes, initially a long weight for the new Commandos here in England and probably worse abroad, but plenty of them about as summer toys
They have just set up a Norton Motorcycle Training Academy with loads of Government money, cad cam 3d printing, design etc and have the money for a load of apprentices
Can’t wait for this and the new 650cc twin/V Twin? etc as well
Me? I’d love a 650 single Supermoto/Adventure style bike….Dominator????
Since the latest resurrection of the latest Norton how many bikes have been produced and sold? I saw a stunning preproduction model at a IMS show a few years ago and wonder if they were actual sold at dealerships.
They did sell, I know 2 owners here in the Dallas area.
Sport bikes are sort of soft in sales right now.
I say more brands & choices are always better.
The last thing this planet needs is another cruiser.
I don’t get the negativity either. Maybe people feel threatened?
Triumph relaunch wasn’t big either. It took until the Bonnie was released over a decade after the first liquid cooled modular bikes for Triumph to really find its stride and once again become mainstream. As a person who had a Hinckley prior to the Bonnie, I experienced first hand the shock and intrigue that I had a “new” Triumph.
Don’t forget Triumph had deeper pockets and wasn’t as far gone as Norton too.
ENOUGH WITH THE NORTON BASHING!!!! Still 3rd most winning brand at the IoM TT
Today I saw a Norton Commado 961SE labeled 12 of 50 which I guess was the ones imported into USA . Absolutely a great looking Norton. Brought back memories of my Norton Dunstall days. One thing it was lacking, a Zenor Diode. RIP Joe Lucas!
There wouldn’t be so much pessimism if Norton’s recent history wasn’t so bad. Triumph’s resurrection was way better (did he use so much grant money & jump right into a very expensive sounding sport bike? Hell no)
I’m all for something like this but the business model isn’t there unless they offer a more affordable base model that would compete with the other V4 sport bike – the Aprilia RSV.
There may not be many sportbike options for the cruiser readers on this site, but you’d be surprised how many are available. Big 4 from Japan, Ducati, Triumph, KTM, BMW… That’s 8, not counting EBR
Indians resurrection under Polaris is way different than Nortons current attempt. Polaris has their own cash
Forgot to mention Aprilia in the count…that makes 9 brands to choose from on the market right now.
Triumph – bring back the liter sportbike already
TJ Martin is un-phased by our requests to stop posting, unfortunately. His negative comments on nearly every subject posted is so old. He’s the smartest man on here, just ask him. Sad thing is, he doesn’t even ride.
Motorcycle manufacturing must be the toughest market to succeed, just ask the hundreds of dead brands littering the highways, or more recently, the troubles with MV/Benelli/Buell etc etc. I wish Norton luck. The factories which have succeeded have had very very deep pockets, like Polaris and John Bloor – who by the way took NO loans or gov’t subsidies to revive Triumph, it was all private money, his own. He waited 11 years to turn a profit!
U think you know me son ? You don’t have a clue little man . None what so ever
Just one question…. TJ Martin…Do you own & ride a motorcycle ?
Launched in 2009 Norton, where? I have never seen anything except Cartoon Photo’s of The New Norton.
July 4th, 2010 at 0:43 am Zh Én meg óránként szedek majd illegális tartalmat és seedelem ameddig csak tudom D.ö.g.ö.l.j meg te igazság bajnoka!Én is szedem Csak veled ellentétben, én nem vagyok gyökér! SÅ‘t, Anita, András! Beszállok én is! Irtsuk ki a gyökereket! Ezek ovisok wazze! Keressetek az nkóron vagy aszfalton, cÃmem hr700a[at]gmail.comHulljon a férgese!!!
Personally, I'd like a way for non-Partners to be able to apply to upload videos longer than 10 minutes if their account existed for a long enough time without any strikes against it.