While Norton’s 1200cc Manx superbikes have been grabbing headlines for the resurgent company recently, the brand’s success – or otherwise – is likely to depend on the big volume Atlas model, which is set to arrive later this year.
Unveiled at the winter bike shows, in the standard and GT trim, the company has now finalised the production specification for the machines which go into a highly competitive marketplace against established models like the Kawasaki Versys 650 and Yamaha Tracer 7, as well as the upcoming Suzuki SV7-GX.
With a 585cc parallel-twin engine at their hearts, the Nortons will be giving away some capacity to their rivals, but with an impressive 69bhp claimed at 9,300rpm, they promise to deliver sharp performance and A2 licence compatibility. Prices promise to be sharp too, with the more adventure focussed Atlas coming in at £8250 – a little more than the basic Kawasaki but significantly undercutting Yamaha’s 700s.
Being a brand new design, Norton are packing them with plenty of modern tech. It’s an aggressive play from the Indian owned brand, who will be hoping these mainstream models will give them the volume needed to take on the established players.
The British developed machines come packed full of the latest technology. Stuff like highly-adjustable KYB suspension, lean-sensitive rider aids, standard quickshifter and a huge, 8”, TFT dash are way beyond what we’ve come to expect from these budget middleweights and, unlike some of the cheap Chinese competitors starting to emerge in the market, it’s a ground-up new design.
With a 270° crankshaft the Atlas’s engine should feel characterful, delivering a tractable power deliver thanks to the firing order, and Norton says that there’s lots of clever engineering going on in the bowels of the engine, to keep it Euro5+ compliant, economical, reliable and engaging to ride.
They’re certainly distinctive looking machines, although we’re not too sure what Norton mean when they describe them as ‘unmistakable British design’. A lot of the focus appears to have been focused on making lots of smooth lines with neat packaging and clever design to minimize the appearance of visible fasteners on the bodywork. Whether or not you think that’s quintessentially British or not, we’ll let you be the judge.
We’re expecting the more adventure styled Atlas, with its 19” front wheel, 845mm seat height and 180mm of suspension travel to be in showrooms first. The Atlas GT will feature cast alloy wheels, 17” front and rear, with 140mm of travel and a lower 815mm seat height for more accessibility and a more sports touring focus, but Norton have yet to announce a price for that variant.
There will also be higher spec ‘Apex’ derivative of both models, which will include electronic combined braking and a hill hold feature, as well as an adjustable windscreen, heated grips, luggage rack, cornering lights and tyre pressure monitors among its many extras.
We’re expecting bums to be on Atlas seats in the coming months, and we’ll bring you a full review as soon as we can. One thing’s for sure though, under the stewardship of Indian giants TVS, Norton are serious players and, unlike Indian owned Royal Enfield and BSA, they’re coming out swinging with some thoroughly contemporary motorcycles.
