Norton-Developed Zongshen Cyclone RE650

[Hugh Janus]

Zongshen Cyclone RE650. (Zongshen/)

When Norton Motorcycles collapsed in early 2020 it was on the verge of launching a range of 650cc twin-cylinder models including the Atlas Ranger scrambler, Atlas Nomad retro-roadster, and the Superlight sportbike. Unfortunately, after the turmoil of the company’s failure and the subsequent resurrection of the Norton brand under the ownership of India’s TVS there are now no immediate plans to forge ahead with any of those projects.

However, the modern Norton twin-cylinder engine—which is based on the front cylinder bank from the company’s 1,200cc V-4 superbike engine—is finding a new lease on life in China and could yet reach a global market. In the final throes, the old Norton Motorcycles operation (not to be confused with The Norton Motorcycle Co., Ltd., which is the official name of the current, TVS-owned company) licensed the rights to the 650cc twin to China’s Zongshen, which sells bikes under the Cyclone brand in China and a variety of names elsewhere. After some extensive redevelopment the Norton 650cc twin hit the market in China recently in the Cyclone RX650 adventure bike, with an enlarged, 850cc version also in the pipeline. Now a retro-inspired roadster model with the same engine has shown up in design registrations

The Zongshen Cyclone RX650 adventure bike. (Zongshen/)

Related: The Chinese Connection

Likely to be called the Cyclone RE650 in China but potentially sold under other brand names elsewhere, the new roadster is much closer to Norton’s original vision for its modern twin-cylinder model. The engine appears identical to the version used in the RX650, right down to the exhaust collector below the swingarm pivot, suggesting it’s in the same state of tune. That means 71 hp at 8,500 rpm and 42 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 7,000 rpm, numbers that give it a healthy advantage over other, similarly sized twins. The 850cc engine, which is visually identical, could also be fitted, raising power to 98 hp and torque to 59 lb.-ft.

The RE650 uses a steel trellis frame and aluminum swingarm with KYB suspension at each end. (Zongshen/)

It’s mounted in a trellis-style steel frame that looks like it’s shared with the RX650, although the adventure-bike version is largely hidden behind panels intended to give the look of an aluminum chassis. The swingarm is genuine aluminum alloy and again shared with the RX650, with the same offset shock arrangement and swingarm-mounted license plate bracket. At the front, the upside-down fork is likely to be a KYB unit, as that’s the brand used on the RX650, but shorter to suit the roadster’s style. Wire-spoked wheels help with the retro look, but contrast with an LED headlight and turn signals and relatively modern proportions for the tank and seat. There’s a hint of Ducati Monster in the shape but it falls short of being the sort of clone that gives China’s motorcycle industry a bad name.

The design is unusually asymmetrical. There’s a hint of flat-tracker in the view from the left, with a side panel that resembles a number board, but on the right-hand side it’s cut back to expose the rear shock. The left also features an air intake for the engine that’s absent on the right.

Zongshen will build a new version of the Aprilia Shiver that will be branded as a Gilera. (Aprilia/)

Alongside CFMoto and Qianjiang, Zongshen is one of China’s most respected motorcycle brands. It’s had a long-standing relationship with Piaggio, including a joint-venture factory in China to assemble various Aprilia and Piaggio-branded models, and recently launched its RA900 V-twin roadster, based on the V-twin engine and the frame from the Aprilia Shiver 900. Zongshen is also expected to assemble a reborn version of the Aprilia Shiver itself, to be marketed under the Gilera brand, which is also part of the Piaggio empire. First spied a year ago, the production version of that machine is expected to be officially launched soon.

Source

[Buckster]

Ideal for Pete.

[zzzak]

On 31/08/2023 at 06:19, Buckster said:

Ideal for Pete.

They can shoot a rocket to the Moon, surely they can build a bike.