There are some things we know about Norton Motorcycles and some things we can infer.
We know that the historic motorcycle manufacturer has officially confirmed it'll be unveiling four new motorcycle models at EICMA. This comes on the heels of getting acquired by Indian manufacturer, TVS Motor Company, and backed to the tune of £200 million since 2020, and again, this is something we know.
Now, though, we also know the official names of three of the models, and you'll have to infer what they mean.
The model name, or rather names, I'm most interested in are the Manx and Manx R. Those of you familiar with the history of Norton know how transformative the Manx model was to Norton. The Manx was a British racing icon, a pure-bred racing bike that ran from 1947-1962, and was developed for the Factory Norton racing team to compete at the Isle of Man TT. But no one could've predicted the success it would have. Between the late 40s and early 60s, the Manx platform didn't just dominate the IOMTT; it defined it.
Eventually, this single-cylinder powerhouse would have to make way for the rise of multi-cylinder motorcycles from Japan. But during the mid-1950's, the majority of Senior and Junior TT entrants, be they privates or top-level riders, were throwing a leg over a Manx. So, to Norton, the Manx was a golden goose. And to race fans, it was an icon.
The Manx name carried such weight at the IOMTT that in 1967, the Manx Grand Prix became a national racing event that still takes place on the Isle of Man, but is separate from the TT. This is all to say that if Norton is bringing back the Manx name, it had better be something special, verging on groundbreaking.
The other model name we can confirm is the Atlas, and, again, you can infer from that what you will. But there's also a chance that RideApart's Daily News Writer, Enrico Punsalang, may have gotten an idea as to what one of these new bikes could be while on a recent press trip to TVS's facility in India.
What kind of bike do you think will wear the Atlas name and, more importantly, how much do you expect from a bike wearing the "Manx" letters? Can any modern motorcycle live up to that badge?
