British Ducati basher is the Norton resurgence to enjoy now | Editor’s Choice November 2025

Reviews editor Dan Trent writes…

”As you may have seen, Norton is on the brink of reinventing itself with a brand-new line-up of sports and adventure bikes styled with a little help from Jaguar Land Rover’s design boss Gerry McGovern. The tricky bit being I’ve already seen them but I can’t tell you anything about them until they are formally unveiled next week. I’m … interested to see what people make of them, let’s put it that way.
“Though it’s officially halted production of the 961 Commando retro, V4SV sports bike and V4CR super naked that have sustained it in recent years all of those bikes are still available on Autotrader, some of them effectively brand-new but with huge savings on the original prices. More on that shortly.

“But why my interest in Norton? Well, it seems motorcycling skipped a generation in my family and my dad is about as disapproving of my middle-aged two-wheeled awakening as he would have been if I’d tried for my licence when I was 17. But HIS dad did love bikes. And used to ride a Norton, apparently. In a cloth cap and tweeds, pipe tucked in his top pocket to puff on at tea stops. It was a different time, evidently. But not that different, given how many modern bikers seem to enjoy puffing away on vapes when they gather at roadside hang-outs!
“I was only a baby when my grandad passed away, so I never got to share this passion for motorcycles with him. More’s the pity. But I did feel a bond with his legacy when I rode the rather lovely 961 Commando Café Racer last year, this unashamedly retro roadster showing how nostalgia on two wheels really should be done. With all due respect to Triumph, Royal Enfield and others tapping into the same rose-tinted British bike vibe.

“Tempting to say I’d just go and buy one of them. But looking at the bikes spearheading Norton’s reinvention all I will say is that they are definitely not retro. Which led me to this, the V4SV. The 185 horsepower, £44,000, carbon-clothed, V4-powered monster sitting atop the outgoing Norton range. Frankly, for someone of my limited riding years it’s probably a bit too much. But just look at it!
“My bike knowledge is still rudimentary but I already associate Norton with a level of brutishness in looks and performance, which is something it seems to have traded on back in the day as well. True, a Ducati Panigale V4 has over 200 horsepower, a ton more tech and a bloodline to modern-day racing. But, away from the track, I’m just not sure how much fun you could have with one. The Norton is fast, powerful and very scary looking. But I’d speculate its talents are perhaps easier to appreciate on the public road, something the brand is promising will be carried through into the new Manx sports bike I saw just last week. But can’t tell you about.

“Anyways, everyone rides Ducatis. And if you’re a fraction slower on a Norton … the better for people to check it out and appreciate the gorgeous hand-welded aluminium frame and incredible design. It might not be as flash as a Ducati. But it’s way cooler, I’d argue.
“And just look at this. For the same 30-grand or so you’d pay for a Panigale V4 S you can have your pick of V4SVs, one of which I found with just four miles on the clock. So, effectively brand-new. That’s still a VERY expensive motorcycle but a hell of a saving over the £44,000 list price. And perhaps the perfect seat from which to observe Norton’s transition from heritage name to modern motorcycle manufacturer. Given his love of engineering I think my grandad would have enjoyed being along for the ride, too! Search for a Norton V4SV on Autotrader