First test on new V4 ….

Fast Eddie

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You’ll have to wait till next week though….

First test on new V4 ….
 
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Promise of what? horsepower? disappointment? it isn't coming to the USA? :cool:
Well, if they hit the nail on the head with the V4, maybe it will be a good enough seller that the factory won't be able to ignore other markets. If it misses the mark, it'll just be more of the same sad story.
 
MCN supposed scoops are quite often re-edits of articles in "British Dealer News" or plagiarized from motorcycle forums. One such one was the "eagle eyed" spot of the pre- production Hinckley Rocket 3 which was lifted, pictures and all, from T595.net.
 
The original V4 article in MCN, I was involved in, as I and another lad took the bike down to south of France . It was photographed around Cannes and a lot of Route Napoleon. The reporter, "Chad", did honestly really enjoy riding the bike though. But any gripes he had with the bike he rode (preproduction ex R&D bike), were brushed over or not included. Good few days over there though, followed by a day in Monaco with McGuinness, doing some filming for a dealer promo video.
 
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Every journo and his assistant have had a go it seems. Bike Sausage (yes really, on Youtube) has a walkaround and 44Teeth will have a ride report up soon.
 
I’m sure we’ll dissect this video and write up (and many future ones), but my initial thoughts seeing the additional footage/pics is that this is one sweet looking sports bike. Beautifully crafted machine - a real piece of exotica. Priced accordingly and maybe not matching other marques for power and equipment but I don‘t think prospective buyers will care much about that - it only really matters on the track and that’s not where this bike will be heading. The Norton name/heritage, exclusivity and drop dead gorgeous looks should make this a seller.

Release is obviously imminent with talk of product line news in due course. Even the most skeptical amongst our number must surely agree that this is positive news by way of direction and intent?

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Quote Having initially trained its focus on fulfilling existing orders on a lengthy waiting list, Norton is now turning its attention towards developing new models.

What orders have been fulfilled ? I thought the 961's are still being made with no deliveries, the old V4's are scrap and any new V4 orders are by definition unfulfilled as this is the first test. No 650's either or any spares, some stretching of the truth going on.

Review of the V4SV

 
Sharp looking machine, for sure.
Good initial report, but lets see the 1000, or 5000 mile long term reliability use report.

Reporter said the engine is made in the UK....
What does that mean, assembled in the UK from foreign parts, or manufactured in the UK?
Where are the castings manufactured, or the crank, or the gearbox?

If the reporter is correct, that the bike is being positioned as a road bike, and not direct competition to other sportbikes, then the low spec control systems, and 185HP make sense.
However, that makes a road spec bike quite pricey at £44K.
I hope the Norton exclusivity will bring in buyers at that price.
 
Cable ty wrapped to the gearchange lever mechanism, for 44K I would want polished stainless cable banding. They do say it is still not the finished article though. I think the damage is done, those with 44K in their pocket I suspect will not be interested in a mediocre sports bike. they could buy a lot of mediocre Model 50's that from the sound of the road test that will handle better in the wet. As we all know the buyers are a strange breed, the 961, good looking bike but not going to set the world alight with its performance never had a problem selling when they were available. Who knows if the V4 will sell.

The sales pitch of the article sounds like, 'well we were committed to the V4, so lets get it out of the way and crack on with some of our own ideas'
 
The nephew has just been down on his V4S, too much gadgetry for me, it might win the no's game but in my view the Norton looks classier!
 
What orders have been fulfilled ? I thought the 961's are still being made with no deliveries, the old V4's are scrap and any new V4 orders are by definition unfulfilled as this is the first test. No 650's either or any spares, some stretching of the truth going on.
That's marketing for "lets generate the excitement by saying there is a line out the door". Thats like all those reviews they publish from publications no one has heard of...ever.
 
Sharp looking machine, for sure.
Good initial report, but lets see the 1000, or 5000 mile long term reliability use report.

Reporter said the engine is made in the UK....
What does that mean, assembled in the UK from foreign parts, or manufactured in the UK?
Where are the castings manufactured, or the crank, or the gearbox?

If the reporter is correct, that the bike is being positioned as a road bike, and not direct competition to other sportbikes, then the low spec control systems, and 185HP make sense.
However, that makes a road spec bike quite pricey at £44K.
I hope the Norton exclusivity will bring in buyers at that price.
It all depends on if they made it emissions compliant right? Then it would be headed to the street not a "track" bike?
 
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