The MCN Test: Is the Norton V4SV worth the wait?

After the extraordinary mess surrounding the previous ownership, approaching the revamped Norton V4SV with an open mind is a challenge – but while the latest bike looks virtually identical to the original incarnation, the revised V4SV is far removed from the old V4RR/SS.

Emerging battered and bruised from a very dark period, Norton are now owned by Indian company TVS and based out of a state-of-the-art new factory in Solihull.

TVS, who are the third biggest bike manufacturer in the Indian market and build an incredible 3.2 million bikes a year, acquired Norton from the old company’s liquidators for £16m after the firm collapsed in disgrace under Stuart Garner.

Now, with the new company having spent close to two years ironing out the many issues that plagued the original V4, the V4SV is back on sale with production bikes available to order now and scheduled to arrive after a 16-week build period.

After such a turbulent start, can the V4SV hope to gain enough momentum to overcome its recent history and is this British superbike still relevant?

Time to find out as we put the V4SV under the microscope…