Norton has unveiled a surprise with not one, but two Atlas 650cc models – the cafe racer Nomad and the Ranger scrambler.
The bikes go on sale as early as this weekend in the UK for £9995 (Nomad) and £11,995 (Ranger).
There is no word of export schedules or overseas pricing yet.
Since the Norton Commando 961 starts at £15,995 in the UK and $A29,990 in Australia, we can expect the pricing to be just under $20,000 for the Nomad and just over for the Ranger.
All Nortons are handmade in the UK and these will only be available in small numbers in the UK. So it might be some time before they are exported in significant volumes.
They draw inspiration from Norton’s original 750cc Atlas of the 1960s.
Both new Atlas models are powered by a 650cc twin engine. It is basically half of the 1200cc V4 they are working on for their flagship V4 model expected to be released next year.
Norton V4 RRThe liquid-cooled, parallel twin engine in the Atlas models has a 270-degree firing order like the new Triumph Bonnevilles.
It has 62kW of power at 11,000 revs and 64Nm of torque.
In cafe racer form, the Nomad features an 18-inch front wheel, 180mm rear tyre, wire wheels, straight bars, suede and vinyl bench seat, single headlight and twin pod instruments.
The scrambleresque Ranger has a 19-inch front wheel, high front guard, 50mm higher suspension, a 43mm higher seat (867mm), sport screen, headlight protection and dual-sport tyres.
Both come in a choice of grey, light blue, maroon, black or white.
Norton Atlas Ranger
Engine: Norton Designed 650cc parallel twin. 270 degree firing order. Chain driven double overhead cams with idler gear.
Bore & stroke: 82mm x 61.5mm
Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Fuel injection: Electronic fuel injection system. 4 fuel injectors. Full drive-by-wire system.
Euro 4: Full compliance including secondary air injection and EVAP
Power: 62kW (84bhp) @ 11,000rpm
Torque: 64Nm
Lighting: Full LED lighting system including super bright high and low beam, daytime running lights, rear lamp and indicators.
Chassis: Twin tube seamless steel perimeter chassis with aluminium swingarm mount.
Swingarm: Braced twin spar cast aluminium.
Wheelbase: 1470mm
Dry weight: 178kg
Headstock angle: 24.2 degrees
Fuel tank: Composite fuel tank with 15L capacity.
Yokes: Forged top and bottom.
Wheels: 19-inch front spoke wheel with Titanium coloured aluminium rim and 120/70 R19 Avon Trekrider tyre; 17-inch rear spoke wheel with Titanium coloured aluminium rim and 170/60 R17 Avon Trekrider tyre.
Bodywork: High mudguard, brushed aluminium rear panels.
Others: Factory fit sump guard, screen kit, headlamp guard. Braced handle bars.
Seat: 867mm
Brakes: 2 x 320mm full floating Brembo discs. Radially mounted twin Brembo monoblock callipers with ABS. Brembo master cylinder; Single 245mm Brembo disc. Brembo twin piston rear calliper with ABS. Brembo master cylinder.
Suspension: 50mm Roadholder USD forks, preload, compression and rebound adjustable. 200mm wheel travel; Roadholder monoshock with rising rate linkage and piggyback reservoir. Adjustable preload. 200mm wheel travel.
Norton Atlas Nomad
Engine: Norton Designed 650cc parallel twin. 270 degree firing order. Chain driven double overhead cams with idler gear.
Bore & stroke: 82mm x 61.5mm Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Fuel injection: Electronic fuel injection system. 4 fuel injectors. Full drive-by-wire system.
Euro 4: Full compliance including secondary air injection and EVAP.
Power: 62kW (84bhp) @ 11,000 rpm Torque: 64Nm
Lighting: Full LED lighting system including super bright high and low beam, daytime running lights, rear lamp and indicators.
Chassis: Twin tube seamless steel perimeter chassis with aluminium swingarm mount.
Swingarm: Braced twin spar cast aluminium.
Wheelbase: 1446mm
Dry weight: 178kg
Headstock angle: 24.2 degrees.
Fuel tank: Composite fuel tank with 15L capacity.
Yokes: Forged top and bottom
Wheels: 18-inch front spoke wheel with polished aluminium rim and 110/80 R18 Avon Trekrider tyre; 17-inch rear spoke wheel with polished aluminium rim and 180/55 R17 Avon Trekrider tyre.
Bodywork: Aluminium polished low front mudguard. Polished aluminium rear panels.
Seat height: 824mm
Brakes: 2 x 320mm full floating Brembo discs. Radially mounted twin Brembo monoblock callipers with ABS. Brembo master cylinder; single 245mm Brembo disc. Brembo twin piston rear calliper with ABS. Brembo master cylinder.
Suspension: 50mm diameter Roadholder USD forks. Preload, compression and rebound adjustable. 150mm wheel travel; Roadholder monoshock with rising rate linkage and piggyback reservoir. Adjustable preload. 150mm wheel travel.