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NORTON

Norton Manx R 2026

The new Norton Manx R, whose technical specifications you can find at this link, seems to be the final chapter in the Norton story, which has been plagued by financial difficulties practically since its inception — something common in the British motorcycle industry. Its last chapter, however, took place in 2020, when it was rescued by the Indian industrial giant TVS. At that time, its product line included a modern-looking motorcycle, the V4SS, with a V4 engine and the unfulfilled promise of being a true superbike.

It was a motorcycle riddled with mechanical problems in every aspect, but it served as a starting point for its new owners to try and solve them. The truth is that this motorcycle, created in 2018 and updated in 2023 as the V4VS, still did not meet expectations. TVS did not give up and, after investing almost €215 million in the company, created a new line for the British brand, which continues to consider the V4 its flagship model. Now, it has been renamed Manx, a bold change considering that this name is the most famous in the brand's history, occupying a prominent place throughout the British company's production.

Origins...Norton motorcycles were designed and manufactured in England, and the new Manx was also conceived in the same location. Its head of design is Simon Skinner and its technical director is Brian Gillen, both with extensive experience in high-end brands. While it is true that this Manx R is based on the original V4 from almost a decade ago, it has also been completely redesigned, including its engine, which is the only shared component.

The initial specifications stipulated that the engine should produce more than 200 hp, having achieved 206 hp, but also that it should not need very high revolutions to reach that power; maximum power was limited to 10,000 rpm. The decision was made to maintain the original displacement and dimensions with a 1,200 cc engine, but with few other similarities, starting with the weight, which is only 73.3 kg.

The angle between the two cylinder banks is 73º, an unusual value, falling between the typical 90º and 65º of engines with a more compact design, such as that of Aprilia. This angle allows for adequate compactness with enough space for the intake system, and the crankshaft journals can be used for each pair of cylinders, achieving a close firing order, which is almost mandatory today. A balancer shaft is included to eliminate vibrations.

Both the intake system, with its eight injectors (two per cylinder, one under the throttle body and one by spraying), and the exhaust system, which has independent catalytic converters on each cylinder bank and a valve in the silencer, are the result of extensive design work. The rear cylinder bank is deactivated when the temperature rises.

As expected, it features a state-of-the-art electronic management and assistance system, all supplied by Bosch. In addition to the three standard modes — Rain, Road and Sport — there are two track modes. It includes all rider assistance features, such as hill start assist and pit lane speed limiters.

The ABS system is integrated and includes a mechanism that allows the rear wheel to slide at corner entry, guiding the motorcycle on the correct trajectory. Everything is controlled by buttons on the handlebars or by touch on a large 8-inch screen that offers smartphone connectivity and mirroring, navigation, GoPro camera integration and a dedicated Norton app.

The chassis is constructed using a hybrid structure that combines cast side spars to form a twin-spar frame with machined aluminum suspension mounts. It was designed to maximize longitudinal rigidity, ensuring stability during braking and acceleration, while keeping lateral and torsional rigidity controlled to facilitate suspension at steep lean angles.

The suspension is supplied by Marzocchi, but depending on the version, it may have manual adjustment on the base model or electronic adjustment on the others. The novelty is that the fork also includes a sensor that monitors its position and movement data. Brakes are standard, with 330 mm Brembo discs and Hypure calipers, but the wheels also vary depending on the model: OZ forged wheels on the base and Apex models, and carbon fiber wheels on the Signature and First Edition models. The bodywork has its own personality and stands out for the absence of visible screws, as well as for the wide side panels. It is available in several colors: silver, green, blue, black, and gray.

The riding position is typical of a superbike, but not particularly extreme. The clip-on handlebars, mounted below the steering column, are quite wide and flat, and the leg angle is not excessively inclined. It's possible to ride on the road without straining your neck, and also to lean and slide sideways on the track. Everything is just right.

The Manx R stands out for several reasons, the first being the immense mid-range torque that its engine develops. To optimize the transmission ratio, Norton engineers interviewed a large number of sportbike riders about the engine speeds they typically used on the road, and the almost exclusive range was between 3,000 rpm and 7,000 rpm. The Manx, with its large 1,200 cc engine, has increased torque at lower revs, sacrificing very high engine revs.

Mid-range...In fact, one of the goals was to achieve maximum power below 10,000 rpm. This characteristic is evident from the first moment. The engine revs smoothly from 2,500 rpm, even in higher gears, and delivers a tremendous surge of power as soon as you twist the throttle.

On the road, even in Road mode, sharp accelerations are followed by a surge of power that, while not sudden, is still noticeable. You need to get used to using the throttle carefully. This effect is completely mitigated on the track; even in Track mode and with the rider aids at minimum, with the engine already running at medium revs, you have plenty of power on acceleration, which lasts until the rev limiter, although it is often not necessary to go that far.

This first contact took place at the Monteblanco Circuit in Huelva, and on the adjacent roads, on a winding track with slow corners that, with the long development of the ManxR, were almost all taken in second gear, some in first and many others in third. The acceleration with the throttle fully open was truly spectacular.

Still, it's not a competition engine with explosive, endless revs, but rather one with a narrower powerband, yet abundant torque at low revs. The quickshifter works wonderfully well, although you need to be quick on the lever when shifting gears. On the other hand, the clutch is stiff and has little travel, although, thankfully, it's rarely necessary to use it, except when starting and in occasional corners or roundabouts where you almost have to stop completely.

Depending on the version, you'll find a certain difference in weight; the standard model is the heaviest, at 220 kg, dropping to 217 kg in the Apex and 213 kg in the Signature, which is what we tested. However, the biggest difference is in the wheels: the Rotobox Bullet Pro carbon fiber wheels eliminate some of the gyroscopic effect, making maneuvering much easier.

In Monteblanco, with some chicanes, it was very easy to make the car roll from side to side, but without any compensation for precision in following the ideal line. The lift control doesn't eliminate this completely, but it allows for a small initial lift followed by a smooth landing, and the Norton never exhibited violent jolts in the steering.

The brakes are powerful and offer exceptional sensitivity, working with electronic regulation and the assistance of ABS and traction control, so that even when pushing too hard, you always enter the curve with no more difficulty than the initial tension. The ignition system, called "Phased Pulse," allows you to maintain traction on the track even with the riding aids at a minimum, maximizing acceleration.

On open roads, at high speed on good asphalt, the feeling is like being on the track. The torque remains immense; you reach the next curve in an instant and need to control your speed. On winding roads, it's possible to maintain third gear almost without touching the throttle, and the bike moves effortlessly.

The Pirelli Supercorsa tires warm up quickly and offer all the necessary grip, although it's possible to use downshifts to help the bike stop without it complaining about working at high revs. Sudden accelerations propel you forward smoothly, in addition to the surprise of the engine's energetic and instantaneous response in any setting except Rain mode.

The engine doesn't exhibit noticeable vibrations thanks to its balancer shaft, and its sound, while not excessively loud, is unmistakably that of a V4 with staggered ignition, perfectly compliant with current standards and Euro 5+ emissions regulations. You have to rely more on the instrument panel and speed perception than on engine noise to assess revs and speed.

What is clear is that, after two failed versions, this new Norton superbike lives up to expectations and reflects the dedication of its creators. It has overcome its problems with erratic performance, and the guarantee from a giant like TVS suggests that it will be as reliable as any other motorcycle.

The warranty is for 3 years for a range that starts with a model that probably won't fit into the most sought-after segment, but which, in terms of media exposure, is an important showcase for a brand that isn't exactly new, but needs to re-establish itself in the current market. Prices for the different versions start at €23,500 and go up to €43,750 for this Signature model, whose technical specifications you can find at this link. We tested it, positioning it as an exclusive motorcycle, on par with the most acclaimed European superbikes. The bet was placed.

The new Norton Manx R marks the definitive return of one of the most legendary and successful brands in motorsport, with a six-decade history in the last century. It's a true superbike, boasting power, technology, electronic features and dynamic performance, all backed by a huge industrial group that guarantees its future. A superbike like no other, its design and mechanics are built to perfectly combine track and street performance with seemingly endless torque.

 

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