650 update ??

[Fredvincent]

Whilst looking for a cheap Chinese hack for the forthcoming 3 years of roadworks that will cause mayhem, I stumbled across a US website showing Chinese bikes. One was of a Zongshen 650 with the engine a further development of the Norton 650 twin. Now seeing if the Zongshen bike was available in the UK, I found an article in the UK's motorcycle press, dated April this year, saying that Ricardo - remember them and Norton tie up, have decided to go ahead and further produce the 650 twin engine in a deal with Zongshen.

Looks like NMUK have been left on the sidelines, might explain why there is no dates regarding the 650.

I thought the Norton deal with Zongshen was for the power train only. The Ricardo deal looks like it is for their own motorcycle using the Norton engine made under license.

 

[Madnorton]

That was the plan. Ricardo don't make bikes or would want a re-badged bike to sell elsewhere, so why are they involved further developing the Norton 'designed' power train, it maybe argued that the Norton power train is not theirs to develop.

 

[ntst8]

"their own motorcycle" refers to Zongshen's own motorcycle not Ricardo's.
Ricardo designed the power train for Norton who, assuming all bills are paid, own the design and have since signed an agreement to license its use by Zongshen.

 

[Madnorton]

Precisely, If Zongshen had the use of the engine under licence, then why the need for a deal with Ricardo in Jan this year to further develop the twin which is identical to the Norton twin. Sadly, agreements with China are not worth the paper they are written on it seems.

 

[alan hodge]

http://en.zongshenmotor.com/ some interesting looking stuff

 

[Voodooo]

http://en.zongshenmotor.com/ some interesting looking stuff

 

[Madnorton]

A much needed boost, a side stand would be handy or will they all come with a fold up stand stick that you carry in your pocket.
If it is the model that they are now producing, then why not photo one with a prop stand. Surely that part of the design is complete.

 

[Voodooo]

I’m not sure how this bike can even compete against the Aprilia Tuono Factory v4 or the KTM super duke, MV, or the Japanese bikes. Those have way more hp.
The Superlight can’t even compare to the Ducati monster or the new street fighter.

 

[Fast Eddie]

I’m not sure how this bike can even compete against the Aprilia Tuono Factory v4 or the KTM super duke, MV, or the Japanese bikes. Those have way more hp.
The Superlight can’t even compare to the Ducati monster or the new street fighter.

The SL is the small one Scott, it’s only a 650 twin, and is aimed at those who don’t seek massive HP and, instead, prioritise light weight and razor sharp handling. It’s a Lotus, or Ariel Atom, rather than a Mustang or AMG!

I hope Norton take note of the new Ducati Streetfighter though... seems to me there’s and obvious additional niche for Norton there with a 1200cc V4 200bhp naked “V4 Combat” !

However, regarding your original post, that picture is obviously the same picture that’s been in circulation for a year now.

@ Norton, if these bikes are ‘in production’ then please show us pics of the production process, and of some completed bikes being handed to happy customers...

 

[Madnorton]

Add completion and delivery dates. If they are producing they should know the hours needed from start to finish, otherwise they would not have a clue what the cost price would be, if they know the hours, then they should know dates.

 

[Voodooo]

The SL is the small one Scott, it’s only a 650 twin, and is aimed at those who don’t seek massive HP and, instead, prioritise light weight and razor sharp handling. It’s a Lotus, or Ariel Atom, rather than a Mustang or AMG!

I hope Norton take note of the new Ducati Streetfighter though... seems to me there’s and obvious additional niche for Norton there with a 1200cc V4 200bhp naked “V4 Combat” !

However, regarding your original post, that picture is obviously the same picture that’s been in circulation for a year now.

@ Norton, if these bikes are ‘in production’ then please show us pics of the production process, and of some completed bikes being handed to happy customers...

I understand but the cost of a Superlight will be more than a super Naked.
Now Aprilia just displayed a Aprilia RS 660 Parallel Twin with 100+ hp and 169kg / 372 pounds.

https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2019/11/05/2020-aprilia-rs-660-first-look-10-fast-facts/

 

[italia]

I’m not sure how this bike can even compete against the Aprilia Tuono Factory v4 or the KTM super duke, MV, or the Japanese bikes. Those have way more hp.
The Superlight can’t even compare to the Ducati monster or the new street fighter.

The Norton Superlight (335 lbs with titanium exhaust) and the new Aprilia RS 660 appeal to a different riding mindset than the high HP sport bikes, regardless of potential pricing similarities.

I have an Aprilia Tuono Factory V4 and while it is a great bike, I often times have more fun riding my lighter bikes (MV Agusta Rivale and SWM Supermoto) on the street, regardless the fact that they have far less power. I'll keep my V4 Tuono though, as it's fun to have a high power bike to ride at times.

Most of my friends have multiple bikes and tend to have a variety of configurations. I have a single cylinder bike, a V-Twin, a Parallel Twin, a Triple, and a V4. Experiencing each bike's unique personality, handling characteristics, and power delivery is part of what I enjoy about riding. I like variety.

I think that the desire to ride lighter weight bikes on the street is not a new mindset, but one that I see growing among my riding friends.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Agreed Scott.

But, as I concluded myself a little while ago by pondering this stuff, basically if BHP per $ or MPH per $ is ones main criteria then don’t look at Norton.

There is frankly nothing in their range that will win against those criteria.

That’s not a criticism, just the way it is. The Norton customer is surely looking for something else. Same as Morgan, Harley, etc.

 

[Fast Eddie]

I think that the desire to ride lighter weight bikes on the street is not a new mindset, but one that I see growing among my riding friends.

Me too! I think it is because modern bikes are just so damned powerful and fast. Almost all sports bikes are better and faster than almost all riders these days. Myself most definitely included.

Hitherto, throughout motorcycling history, the quest for more power and speed has been paramount with a large part of the motorcycling world. But now, more folk are realising it’s just bloody pointless, and possibly dangerous, to keep pursuing that.

So, a bike with ‘enough’ power and the engineering brain power spent on handling, braking and weight reduction is kinda inevitable really.

We could, of course, all just ride Honda CBR600s and be done with it. But that just doesn’t seem to cut it for all of us...

 

[Voodooo]

The Norton Superlight (335 lbs with titanium exhaust) and the new Aprilia RS 660 appeal to a different riding mindset than the high HP sport bikes, regardless of potential pricing similarities.

I have an Aprilia Tuono Factory V4 and while it is a great bike, I often times have more fun riding my lighter bikes (MV Agusta Rivale and SWM Supermoto) on the street, regardless the fact that they have far less power. I'll keep my V4 Tuono though, as it's fun to have a high power bike to ride at times.

Most of my friends have multiple bikes and tend to have a variety of configurations. I have a single cylinder bike, a V-Twin, a Parallel Twin, a Triple, and a V4. Experiencing each bike's unique personality, handling characteristics, and power delivery is part of what I enjoy about riding. I like variety.

I think that the desire to ride lighter weight bikes on the street is not a new mindset, but one that I see growing among my riding friends.

Do we know for a fact the Superlight will be 335 pounds?
Or is it a rumor just as the 961 was supposed to be lighter than is actually is.

 

[Voodooo]

Agreed Scott.

But, as I concluded myself a little while ago by pondering this stuff, basically if BHP per $ or MPH per $ is ones main criteria then don’t look at Norton.

There is frankly nothing in their range that will win against those criteria.

That’s not a criticism, just the way it is. The Norton customer is surely looking for something else. Same as Morgan, Harley, etc.

I agree and understand what you mean. My only point is, if one is looking for a light weight, hp bike with modern and quality components, you need not have to look far.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Do we know for a fact the Superlight will be 335 pounds?
Or is it a rumor just as the 961 was supposed to be lighter than is actually is.

I agree and understand what you mean. My only point is, if one is looking for a light weight, hp bike with modern and quality components, you need not have to look far.

Yeah, but is it sexy enough...?!

If one is looking for a retro parallel twin one doesn’t have to look far... and certainly doesn’t have to by two Norton’s like someone who shall remain nameless!

 

[italia]

Do we know for a fact the Superlight will be 335 pounds?
Or is it a rumor just as the 961 was supposed to be lighter than is actually is.

Per Norton website ( http://nortonmotorcycles.com/bikes/superlight-650.html ), it's 158kg stock. I read somewhere that the full titanium exhaust was 6kg lighter than stock, so 152kg or 335 lbs. Of course, most motorcycle manufacturer's statements of 'dry weight' are a bit optimistic.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Ref the weight of the SL, you’re right, we can only hypothesise based on what we’re told. 158kg dry, with a 6kg saving with the titanium pipe according to the blurb below.
158-6=152. Which is 335lbs.
But as has been discussed before, it’s actually unwise to assume that any manufacturers weight claims are accurate, sadly.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Speaking for myself, I have always loved the look, the engineering, the philosophy behind, the Britishness, the exclusivity of the V4.

But... I don’t want 200+BHP and I don’t wanna spend that much dosh and I’m obsessive about weight (of the bike, not so much the rider).

When looked at like that, the SL makes perfect sense... to me at least...!