Norton-powered Zongshen Cyclone RX6 Nears Production

[Admin]

Zongshen’s Cyclone RX6 seems to be on the verge of production. (Zongshen/)

Before falling into a financial crisis in early 2020, Norton had big plans for an array of 650cc parallel-twin models intended to bring the company into the mainstream. Now, while the Norton brand is being rebuilt under new ownership (it was purchased by India’s TVS Motor), the Chinese firm it licensed to build copies of that new 650cc engine is about to beat it into mass production.

Norton’s new 650cc engine—developed with the help of engineering giant Ricardo and derived from the 1,200cc V-4 in the V4RR superbike—was originally intended to appear in three forms. The lowest-spec, 84 bhp version was to power the Atlas Ranger and Atlas Nomad scramblers, a mid-line 105 bhp variant was destined for the Superlight sportbike, and a supercharged, 170 bhp derivative was to appear in the carbon-framed Superlight SS. However, back in 2017, before the engine was even finished, Norton also agreed to license the design to Chinese firm Zongshen, which was looking for a modern, midsize motor to use in a flagship bike under its Cyclone sub-brand. But with Norton’s plans delayed by its financial collapse in January 2020, Zongshen has forged ahead on development of its own Norton-powered model, the Cyclone RX6, and even completed type-approval testing, putting it on the verge of mass production.

The RX6 will be offered in two versions, one with cast wheels and one with spoked wheels, both running on the same chassis. (Zongshen/)

Prior to hitting the rocks, Norton had developed the 650cc twin to a running state, even running prototype Superlight models in the Lightweight class of the 2019 Isle of Man TT with John McGuinness, Peter Hickman, and Davey Todd, with Hickman finishing eighth. However, neither the Superlight nor the Atlas models that were shown in late 2019 have appeared on lists of type-approved bikes that have passed emission tests, nor have they been shown with road-legal requirements like catalytic converters fitted. Zongshen also showed the RX6 in prototype form at the end of 2019, and since then has been working to get the bike into production-fit status, culminating in achieving type approval in China this month.

It’ll also bring unexpectedly up-to-date features like a color TFT dash and Bosch electronics. (Zongshen/)

Two versions of the Zongshen bike have been approved—one with cast alloy wheels, the other with wire wheels for a more off-road style—and both feature the same chassis and Norton-derived engine. The 650cc twin is detuned in Zongshen form, with a peak of 70 hp. That might be significantly less than Norton’s power claims of 84 hp, but it’s directly in line with the performance from similar Japanese machines like Kawasaki’s Versys 650 or Suzuki’s V-Strom 650.

It’s also in line with many of the latest Chinese bikes from firms looking to shake the reputation for making cheap-and-cheerful disposable transport; the RX6 has technology and components that wouldn’t look out of place on a Japanese or European bike. LED lighting, a color TFT dashboard, and keyless ignition, for instance, as well as bought-in components including Nissin radial brakes and Bosch ABS and electronics.

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While the RX6 has the power, styling, and technology to match more established rivals, its curb mass of 540 pounds is around 60 to 70 pounds more than a Versys or V-Strom. However, it’s also likely to be significantly cheaper in the markets where it’s available. Which markets have yet to be confirmed, but Zongshen is one of China’s most outward-looking bike firms, with a long history of exporting to the West, so it’s very likely the RX6 will be offered outside its homeland once production is in full swing.

Norton is registering customer interest in its V4 and Atlas models; the V4SS here is currently on its website. Word is they may be produced soon. (Norton Motorcycles/)

Meanwhile, Norton’s own version of the 650 twin is still edging toward production. The Norton brand and intellectual property were bought by TVS last year which has spent the start of 2021 establishing a new production facility. Initially the new Norton company has put its efforts into fulfilling outstanding orders for the old 961 Commando models, but the firm is also registering customer interest in the V4 and Atlas models with the intention of getting those machines on sale soon. The Superlight and Superlight SS appear to have been put on the back burner for the moment.

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[Six30]

heres a decent pic of it , that dont look all squashed up   you seen this shit again @Ian Frog

 

[Bender]

17 minutes ago, Six30 said:

heres a decent pic of it , that dont look all squashed up   you seen this shit again @Ian Frog

 

Twat

 

Some of us work you know, we can't all drive round the countryside looking out of a bus window or spend  half the day down the chippy.

 

@Six30 something up with your pics? 

 

 

[Ian Frog]

Cheers @Six30 after a hard day on site it was nice to see a pic of what is admittedly a very sexy bike.

Thanks for your unstinting efforts on our behalf !

Cheers

Ian

[Six30]

1 hour ago, Bender said:

Twat

 

Some of us work you know, we can't all drive round the countryside looking out of a bus window or spend  half the day down the chippy.

 

@Six30 something up with your pics? 

 

 

twat

[Ian Frog]

1 minute ago, Six30 said:

twat

This conversation is starting to sound like a tennis game !

Cheers

Ian 

 

 

 

 

Twat

[Six30]

29 minutes ago, Ian Frog said:

This conversation is starting to sound like a tennis game !

Cheers

Ian 

 

 

 

 

Twat

Twat

Cheers 

Six

[Bender]

1 hour ago, Six30 said:

Twat

Cheers 

Six

Is that six-love? 

 

 

[Six30]

34 minutes ago, Bender said:

Is that six-love? 

 

 

fook off you Bender.