TVS-owned Norton revealed its latest flagship motorcycle, the V4SV supersport, in late October. The company has now taken the wraps off a prototype of a cafe racer based on the same bike. Cycle World’s report mentions that this motorcycle will be called the V4CR.
Norton’s V4 platform debuted with the V4SS that was introduced in 2016. However, this engine had serious problems and was part of multiple recalls. The recently unveiled V4SV was essentially the same motorcycle with changes to rectify those problems. This V4CR will be powered by the same engine — a 1,200cc V4 that produces 185hp.
The V4CR is essentially a V4SV without the bodywork. It has a retro cafe racer look with a round LED headlight and minimal body panels. Cycle World points out that small air intake ducts and radiator cowls replace the V4SV’s side panels, while the exhaust and lower radiator edges are tucked away behind a new belly pan.
The minor bodywork that the V4CR does features is entirely carbon fiber, and so is the fuel tank. On the other hand, the swingarm and chassis are polished billet aluminum units. Like any top-of-the-line Norton, hardware components are exceptional — Brembo brakes, Oz Racing forged alloy wheels and Ohlins suspension.
Currently, the V4CR is still an early prototype, and it’s impossible to say how close the final iteration of the bike will be to this. That said, Norton has mentioned that the V4CR will be offered in two color schemes — which makes us think it won’t be long until it goes into production.
