Norton Manx R Review: The Ultimate 2026 V4 Superbike Resurgence? The 2026 Norton Manx R is finally here! In this full, complete ride review, we take this brand-new, ground-up 1200cc, 206-horsepower British V4 superbike out to the gorgeous canyons and tracks of Spain. Backed by a massive £200 million TVS investment and built in a state-of-the-art Birmingham facility, this isn’t just another empty retro tribute—it’s a global statement.
In this video, we push the Norton Manx R to its limits to see how it stands up against hyper-focused rivals like the Ducati Panigale V4 and the Aprilia RSV4. We dive deep into its striking “reductive design” bodywork (featuring zero visible fasteners), its syncopated phase-pulse firing order that mimics a true GP bike, and the advanced Bosch 10.3 ME electronics platform. Plus, we test out its segment-first cornering cruise control and unique Marzocchi adaptive suspension tech that utilizes an internal linear potentiometer.
👉 Insta360 Ace Pro 2 — Up to 16% OFF, save $110 + FREE Motorcycle Kit:
👉 Insta360 X4 Air — Up to 20% OFF, save $80 + FREE Motorcycle Kit:
📦 Don’t forget the Insta360 Trade-In Program — trade in your X3 to get the latest X5 (or trade in the other brands’ camera) and save up to $220!
More info:
Upgrade your setup with the new Insta360 X5 action camera! Check out their massive gear trade-in program and sale running from now until May 25th. Click the link below or scan the QR code to score your exclusive free gift!
Gear Featured in this Video:
Tech Air 5 Plasma Air Bag Vest:
GP Force Airflow V2 Jacket:
SPX Air Carbon Gloves: imp.i104546.net/APJKgK
Tech Air 7 Airbag:
GP Tech V5 Suit: imp.i104546.net/JkJrE2
Supertech R10 Martin Helmet:
Supertech R Vented Boots:
Video Chapters
00:00 – The Resurgence of Norton Motorcycles
01:49 – Sponsor: Pocket Production with the Insta360 X5
02:52 – First Ride: Canyons of Spain & Ergos
04:22 – Norton History: From 1898 to the Isle of Man TT
07:54 – Reductive Design & Clean-Sheet V4 Engine Specs
13:18 – Track Testing: Fixing the Throttle Rough Edges
14:14 – Capturing 120 Years of British Racing Heritage
15:48 – Final Verdict: Would I Spend My Own Money?
Patreon:
📨 Join our email list:
☕️ Buy me a Coffee;
💬 Join our Discord Server:
Cardo Systems: Coupon Code: RideWell
Insta360:
Yamaha Champions Riding School: Coupon Code: FOCUS
The American West Photography:
Wrights Parts and Accessories:
Toxic Moto Racing:
Favorite Motorcycle Accessories:
Tech Air 5 Plasma Air Bag Vest:
Kriega R22 Backback:
Kriega US-20 Drypack (tailbag):
Nelson Rigg Commuter Tail Bag:
ROK Straps:
Helmets I Love:
Alpinestars Supertech R7:
Arai XD (Adventure):
Gloves I Love:
SPX:
Moblast Water Proof:
GP Plus:
SPX Air:
Boots I Love:
SP-X Boa Drystar:
SMX (All Around/Sport):
Tech 7 (Off Road):
Jackets I Love:
Andes Pro Drystar XF (all season):
Cusco Drystar (Just super cool!):
Borrego Drysta (hot weather)r:
Blacktrack (Classic Leather):
Pants I Love:
Andes Pro Drystar XF (all season):
Borrego Drystar (hot weather):
Visit us:
Ride with us:
or the ART:
——-
Merchandise:
Amazon Store:
Donate:
——-
P.O. Box 91191
Salt Lake City, UT 84109
info@canyonchasers.net
source
Would you actually buy one? Let's settle this in the comments. 👇 The 2026 Norton Manx R is an absolute masterpiece on paper, but it definitely stirs up a massive debate for sportbike fans:
The British Brawler: Massive real-world torque, a stunning "reductive design" with zero visible bolts, and a pure GP-style exhaust note.
The Competition: Or do you stick with hyper-focused track weapons like the Ducati Panigale V4 or Aprilia RSV4, or no V4 at all with an S1000RR or CBR1000RR-R, RRR?
Those headlights are menacingly beautiful and the bike is something new to lust after.☘️
just another product of the capitalist necromancy a stupidity tax for rich people . absolutely zero connection with Norton .
So the prince of darkness has finally been sent back to hell whence he came?
The best Manx R video I've seen so far. Nice!
I'm so glad you really liked the bike. I'm not a motorcyclist but our son fresh out of university from Oxford joined the team at Norton during the summer of last year and I know all of the team at the Norton factory near Solihull have worked extreemly hard to produce this amazing product along with the fantastic vote of confidence and investment from TVS that has enabled Norton to deliver. My wife and I went along to the Birmingham NEC (just down the road from the Norton factory) last November to see the public UK debut of the Manx R along with the other models that will be following in the range. The Manx R just looks even more fantastic in real life. You never know, I might even take my motorcucle test….
I would buy one. I like the single sided swingarm. I like the look. It is rare. I bet I dont see one in the next two years on the street.
Rather than dump an unsolicited laundry list of my background and why my opinion might matter, I'll just say, "Thanks, Dave. Your videos make me a safer rider." 💪
Too bad they made it into a sport bike…don't care about the stats…. if you can't ride it all day comfortably then it's only a track bike!! But I'm glad they're makin' it anyway!!! That said…I'll take an old 850 Commando any day of the year!!
At 57years Old….Hv Always Been a Norton Fan…owning a Comonda once upon a time….Loving this Super Bike U Reviewed…..Amazing….Happybfor Norton British Spirits….Loved Your Coverage n Review….Awesome Work….Lucky Rider ❤❤❤❤
To bad its so ugly!!
Dave, what is the outro music? It’s catchy
I just started this video, but everyone is forgetting that more than 90% of Norton is manufactured and assembled in India. It is NOT British. only the high models engine components are manufactured in England
Looks great.
If it is reliable and doesn't leak oil ..
Tvs should've added heated and cooled seat, they offer it for their 350cc bike..😅
Nice to see Canyon Chasers included with the big boys. Love the back story that everyone glanced over.
Script sounds AI generated and is off-putting.
Not a lot of actual riding shown in this vid. Up till now there has been no riding footage of this bike. Plenty of talky talky but. Bit lame Norton.
good review. You covered info that would not normally be covered.
Totally irrelevant to me, just build them in India, and cut the price in half 👎🏻
It's a Very cool bike. But for some reason it doesn't give me that WOW feeling I get when I look at other bikes I can't afford 😂
Not worth the ads.
This is a very informative and fun video. Thank you, Dave.
Great review, Dave! I appreciate the integration of Norton's history into the video, too. The biggest concern for me will be the dealer network. TVS doesn't yet have a presence in the US, so Norton is really starting from scratch. I hope they're able to make it work. The Manx R really looks (and sounds) like a lovely bike!
Awesome video! Beautiful bike for sure! What a blast that must have been. I love the clean lines. Question, is that switch as beautiful in real life ? It looks amazing. Best!
Nobody makes videos as good as yours . Loved the history part .your videos are so informative .
I watched an old video of braking. Great overall view of it for sure. But like many other videos ive seen on the subject, i wish they would show a live graph of front and rear brake application pressures before corners and during corners. Show how much you progressively use more and more front. Setting the rear tire with a small amount of rear brake then letting off before you lean and then if you have to trail off the front brake still on. A tiny use of rear in a corner to tighten it and when and where you should be doing this. I ride both track and streets, but i am a new track rider with some advanced training. Been in the streets for decades. Id be curious to see the perfect applications in different scenarios.
No wings!!!!! Yay👍
"The price point is extremely reasonable for what you're getting", with those wheels…..about $35-40K-ish? Seems on the reasonable side to me. It looks absolutely gorgeous, I must say, better than a Ducati even….which is an opinion that's reserved for very few bikes in my world.
Enjoyed the Norton history storytelling – very unique and interesting review👍
Brilliant review! Fingers crossed, Norton is now able to keep on keeping on.
As a diehard Ducatisti I like the Manx R. Could they make the paint scheme a bit more interesting though?
I talked with you at the ART about how I didn’t love the look of it when it was first shown. I thought they were doing too much. However looking at it now I think that it’s grown on me it’s a purpose built machine and it’s sleek. If I had the money burning a hole in my pocket it’d definitely be heavily considered
Great job, TVS! for a first bike with anything more than 400cc, this is qutie an achievement.
Say what you want but this machine looks beautiful!
You and Bike World at the same time… coincidence?
This video is why you're my favorite reviewer. You cover the basic specs which while important, don't really tell the whole story. You dig into the nuance of the bike and expose something that nobody else seems to do very well. You point out and highlight the soul of the bikes you get the opportunity to enjoy. From the feel you get, the capability and joy it brings while being on it is extremely important in the justification and value. You put those moments into words so well and then wrap it all up in video and back drops that bring all of us along for the experience.
Holy smokes, that looks good! Would love to own one. Real world torque all day
That was a genuinely good review. Of the thousands of reviews I’ve seen over the years I have never made that comment. I think what you did was an harmonious review. It matched the bike perfectly.
The cinematography is exceptional!! I am watching this and MotoBob first ride review of the Norton Manx R
ktm 1290 wheels?
Certainly has Electronic suite Advantage then the Rest.
17:31 I'm seeing 27,000 up to 50,000 USD. That's a hard pill to swallow with some of the competition being available for nearly 9,000-10,000 less. Yes, the Panigale is up there but as you mention in the video the Norton is going to be from a company that may evaporate into nothing while the Ducati is backed by VAG, and Ducati seems to be doing alright.
Carbon wheels is a bit of the cheat code to making any bike ride well.
That's a beautiful bike.