Proving there is still life in the two-stroke engine is new British company, Langen Motorcycles.
They will unveil a limited-edition, bespoke model, eponymously titled the Two Stroke, at the Salon Privé from 23-26 September 2020 at Blenheim Palace UK.
The road-legal 250cc Two Stroke will cost from £28,000 (about $A50,000) and only 250 will be made.
It’s powered by a two-stroke motor from Italian company Vins Motors who make lightweight, bespoke Duecinquanta motorcycles that cost up to $A80,000.
Major motorcycle companies have ditched two-stroke engines because they fail to meet the ever-more-stringent emissions regulations.
However, companies such as Vins and Langen are still producing expensive two-stroke bikes either for track use only or in limited-edition batches that are not governed by emissions regulations.
There is also the possibility that two-stroke engines can be cleaned up through innovative designs such as Australian Basil van Rooyen’s Crankcase Independent Two-Stroke (CITS) engine that meets tough emissions requirements as it eliminates total-loss lubrication.
Aussie-designed two-stroke CITS engineSo there is still hope for those who love the two-stroke’s ring-ding-ding sound, light-switch power delivery, high revs, light weight, frugal fuel consumption and blue-smoke aroma.
Langen’s Two Stroke V-twin has a 14,000 red line and produces more than 75bhp (56kW) and 45Nm (33lb.ft).
The Vins engine has fuel injection, ECU-controlled oil injection, carbon fibre reed valves and electronic exhaust valves.
The whole bike weighs just 114kg (251lb) for a power-to-weight ratio of 660bhp/ton.
It features CNC-machined bits, laser-cut aluminium tubing, Hel Performance brakes, Ohlins forks, British K-Tech rear shocks and plenty of carbon-fibre, including the fuel tank.
Langen is designed, engineered and built in Wigan, Manchester.
Each engine will be built to order and individually numbered to match the customers motorcycle, with fully CNC machined casings and custom interchangeable gearbox. Customisation can range from paint colours, chassis finish and suspension type to wheels, along with tailored ergonomics for each individual rider.
Chris Ratcliffe, creator of Langen and designer of the Two Stroke, has more than 10 years’ experience designing successful motorcycles.
“The company has been founded with the aim of producing motorcycles with a simplicity and purity of days gone by, like the ‘Ton-up boys’ and their Caf racers – yet pushing the limits of modern technology,” he says
“My dream has always been to create a small piece of British motorcycling history. To be able to launch this special motorcycle under a completely new brand really is a dream come true.
The aim is to continue to push boundaries and create more interesting bikes, which we hope will really please people.”
The first run of 100 will be built from the second quarter of 2021 and will be road legal in the UK with 150 more in 2022 which all be road legal in other countries.
Orders are now being taken with a £1000 ($A1770) refundable deposit to secure one of the 100 initial bikes.