Brixton Crossfire 500 First Look

[Hugh Janus]

Brixton’s new flagship Crossfire 500 and Crossfire 500 X are expected to hit European dealerships this August. Shown is the X model. (Brixton Motorcycles/)

The EICMA show has hosted its share of new model debuts over the years, many of them relentlessly hyped examples from well-known marques. So when Brixton Motorcycles announced that its Crossfire 500 concept—introduced in 2018—would be going into production at last November’s show, it probably didn’t register on most watchers’ radar. That may have been because of the brand’s penchant for cranking out small-displacement air-cooled Chinese-made retro roadsters for much of its five-year existence, but the two just-launched Crossfire 500 models—the Crossfire 500 and Crossfire 500 X—look to change those preconceptions. Somewhat, anyway.

The Crossfire 500 was shown as a concept bike at the 2018 EICMA show and most of the details—including the signature “X” tank design—have carried through to the production version. (Brixton Motorcycles/)

For one, Brixton Motorcycles has recently begun designing its own bikes thanks to parent company KSR Group’s new state-of-the-art design studio in Krems, Austria. Developed by the KSR Group design team, the Crossfires are the first results of the process, matching the EICMA concept bike in almost every way. That means a relatively trim, retro/tracker aesthetic packaged into a basic tube steel frame with a stubby tail, spoke wheels, round headlight and—what Brixton calls the design highlight—a uniquely X-formed fuel tank shape. The company is keen to point out the “X” tank is meant to serve as a signature design language of Brixton Motorcycles going forward, and all Brixton vehicles with the new X-tank design will be called “Crossfire,” creating a sort of independent sub-series within the lineup.

That’s all well and good, but if you’re like us, you also can’t help but notice another design feature; the Crossfire’s eerie similarity to Husqvarna’s Svartpilen, minus the trellis frame. Makes us wonder just how far the KSR design studio is from Mattinghofen…

Does anybody else see a Svartpilen hiding in plain sight? (Brixton Motorcycles/)

In any case, a straight seat line carries through on both models (though the actual saddle and material is different on the X), and even with all the retro flourishes, the Crossfire 500 still manages to squeeze in an LED headlight and indicators, and a digital speedometer. Also of note is the fact that the Crossfires pack Brixton’s largest engine to date—a completely new water-cooled 486cc inline twin that’s said to be good for 47 hp at 8,500 rpm and 31.7 pound-feet of torque at 6,700 rpm. That places it firmly in the UK’s A2 license category for riders aged 19–24 and limits bikes to 47 bhp (the Crossfire is marketed for Europe). The new DOHC mill was developed over a two-year period and is currently Euro 4 compliant, with Euro 5 certification said to be coming by year’s end.

Fuel injection, six speeds, and Bosch ABS also separate the running gear from the brand’s previous offerings, with build quality and components also looking to be more carefully considered. You’ll see J.Juan brakes - which Brixton curiously mentions are the same spec as KTM’s 790 model, though that rear disc looks worryingly undersized - an adjustable, upside-down KYB fork, and a full stainless steel exhaust, to name a few of the tastier bits. Although details and dimensions are few and far in between beyond those, it sounds like a decent start.

The Crossfire 500 models carry Brixton’s biggest displacement engine, a new 500cc inline twin. (Brixton Motorcycles/)

Differences between the 500 and the 500 X models are minimal, with the X getting bolder graphics and some dark accents, a higher-mounted plate holder, a flatter, tracker-like ribbed seat, and a wider bar. The X also rolls on burlier Pirelli MT 60 rubber versus the 500’s Pirelli Angel ST donuts, but based on photos, the riding position looks mostly upright on both, with mid-mounted pegs and wide-ish bars contributing to a slight forward lean.

Although the launches of the Crossfire 500 and Crossfire 500 X had to be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the bikes were launched online last week instead, production has now started, and Brixton says the first models are expected at dealers in August. As you’ve probably guessed, the Crossfire 500s and their approximate $7000 pricetags are meant for European markets, but based on KSR’s website, they may make the leap to this side of the pond sooner rather than later.

LED lights and a digital dash give a welcome touch of modern to the Crossfire’s mixed aesthetics. (Brixton Motorcycles/)

As for Brixton, the company? Although the name might give you the impression it’s based in South London, the brand is actually part of Austria’s KSR Group, a global organization which imports bikes from a slew of Chinese manufacturers including CFMoto. KSR has also recently relaunched the Malaguti brand, and has ties to Benelli and Royal Enfield (but not, as far as we know, to KTM). Headquarters are in Krems, Austria, with international partners in Asia. Brixton itself exports bikes to around 40 countries worldwide, and although it says its bikes are sold in Europe, Asia, and North and South America, we couldn’t find any dealers in the US.

The Crossfire 500 X model brings some darker elements, a wider bar and a different seat and plate holder, but that’s it for differences between the two. (Brixton Motorcycles/)

The company also has other products on the horizon, like the Crossfire 125 XS minibike, expected to debut in July 2020. The XS picks up the basic idea of the Japanese minibikes of the 1970s, but refines it with modern styling and contemporary technology. And next year, Brixton says it will roll out the “normal size” Crossfire 125 with a water-cooled engine. Its third 125cc newcomer will hark back to a different segment when it also rolls out in July 2020; the Rayburn 125 is going for bobber style with a sprung solo seat, a leather tool bag, and two-tone paintwork. Lastly, the brand has done little to dispel rumors that its large-displacement Bonneville look-alike, shown as a 1200 concept bike at EICMA, is also headed for production. Will we be seeing some of those wheels on this side of the world soon?

brixton-motorcycles.com

The Crossfire 500 X is also a bit more scramblery and a tad pricier. (Brixton Motorcycles/)
Brixton will soon have another Crossfire model in the series, with this 125cc minibike. (Brixton Motorcycles/)

2020 Brixton Crossfire 500/Crossfire X Specifications

Price	Approx $6758 / $7,096 USD [5,999 / 6299 Euro]
Engine	486cc, DOHC inline parallel twin
Fuel Delivery	Electronic fuel injection
Transmission/Final Drive	6-speed/chain
Claimed Horsepower	47 bhp @ 8,500 rpm
Claimed Torque	31.7 lb.-ft. @ 6,700 rpm
Front Suspension	KYB upside-down fork; N/A travel
Rear Suspension	N/A
Front Brakes	Single disc; Bosch ABS
Rear Brake	Single disc; Bosch ABS
Wheels, Front/Rear	17 in.; aluminum spokes
Tires, Front	120/70-17 Pirelli Angel ST / Pirelli MT 60
Tires, Rear	160/60-17 Pirelli Angel ST / Pirelli MT 60
Rake/Trail	N/A
Wheelbase	55.7 in.
Seat Height	31.2 in.
Claimed Wet Weight	418 lb.
Fuel Capacity	N/A

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