Author Topic: Hesketh Motorcycles  (Read 2028 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

barenekd

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 5,516
  • Karma: 0
on: April 10, 2014, 04:59:47 pm
Another one returning from the dead, except, to me,  this one is all wrong
http://www.heskethmotorcycles.co.uk/hesketh-24/
Bare
2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer
2011 Black Classic G5 (RIP)
I refuse to tiptoe through life only to arrive safely at death
http://www.controllineplans.com


ace.cafe

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 14,457
  • Karma: 1
  • World leaders in performance/racing Bullets
Reply #1 on: April 10, 2014, 07:31:09 pm
The original Hesketh from the 1980s didn't exactly set the world on fire, either.
At least this one isn't quite as ugly as the original, and probably is a better overall bike.
Home of the Fireball 535 !


cyrusb

  • Kept man
  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,616
  • Karma: 2
  • There's a last time for everything
Reply #2 on: April 11, 2014, 12:34:19 am
This is the one I remember . Lord Hesketh supposedly used parts from their Formula One engine. It's not so ugly, remember, this was a long time ago.
2005E Fixed and or Replaced: ignition, fenders,chainguard,wires,carb,headlight,seat,tailight,sprockets,chain,shock springs,fork springs, exhaust system, horn,shifter,clutch arm, trafficators,crankcase vent.


ace.cafe

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 14,457
  • Karma: 1
  • World leaders in performance/racing Bullets
Reply #3 on: April 11, 2014, 12:49:00 am
Yes, not quite as bad as I remembered it, but sort of ungainly.
I like the new one better, for appearance.
The belly tank on the new one is an interesting feature.
Home of the Fireball 535 !


cyrusb

  • Kept man
  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,616
  • Karma: 2
  • There's a last time for everything
Reply #4 on: April 11, 2014, 12:59:30 am
I like the new one, very XR-ish road racer .But whats weird is how  they manage only 120hp out of 1950cc's?????. That must be a typo.
2005E Fixed and or Replaced: ignition, fenders,chainguard,wires,carb,headlight,seat,tailight,sprockets,chain,shock springs,fork springs, exhaust system, horn,shifter,clutch arm, trafficators,crankcase vent.


ace.cafe

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 14,457
  • Karma: 1
  • World leaders in performance/racing Bullets
Reply #5 on: April 11, 2014, 01:16:02 am
I like the new one, very XR-ish road racer .But whats weird is how  they manage only 120hp out of 1950cc's?????. That must be a typo.
If it's a low-revver, which it may be with what appears to be a long stroke and pushrods, then the low hp figure might be accurate. But, I'll bet the torque is pretty beefy at low rpms. If you look at the Supersport 600 class which only has about 120-130 hp, they do over 150mph, so this thing could get moving pretty good, in theory.
And it has a real separate gearbox and a primary case, which I like a lot.
I think you got it pegged with the Harley XR thing, and it probably will appeal right to that clientele.
I'll bet that I'd like riding this thing. I'll also bet it is really expensive too.
Home of the Fireball 535 !


High On Octane

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 6,075
  • Karma: 0
Reply #6 on: April 11, 2014, 03:38:17 am
I know nothing of these bikes, but based upon what I just read and saw on that page, if money was not a factor for me, I'd be calling first thing in the morning and buy 1.  And I agree with Ace, that motor isn't designed to wind up, it's designed to rip your pants off right out of the gate.  It probably has a taller final gear ratio than you would find on a 600 sport bike, as it will have more torque up to 5k-6K RPMs than you'd know what to do with.  From the pic it looks like it is based off of a S&S 130CI 130HP crate motor which runs as I just mentioned.  The styling I could take or leave, but the performance that bike is packing is impressive.

Scottie J
2001 Harley Davidson Road King


bob bezin

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,189
  • Karma: 0
  • I ride therefore I am.
Reply #7 on: April 11, 2014, 11:41:32 am
performance aside, the old one looks more interesting. not just another harley-buell -etc.
2000 RE classic ,              56 matchless g80
2006 RE delux fireball       86 yamaha SRX 600                       
2015 indian chief vintage
65 500cctriumph
04 bonnie black
71 750 norton.
48 whizzer


barenekd

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 5,516
  • Karma: 0
Reply #8 on: April 12, 2014, 01:46:28 am
It's got an S&S, nee Hardley, in it. That explains the lack of HP and the long ugly look to it and, no doubt, handles like a pig.
Notning in it resembles a Hesketh. The original one, even after they started building the production versions, had a lot of problems. I remember the gearbox was one of the big ones. The critics really tore it up. IT was supposed to be the Superbike of the decade with its F1 heritage, but it never came close to living up to the hype. Hesketh finally just ran out of money to continue development.
That new Cruiser isn't going to live up to the name.
Bare
« Last Edit: April 16, 2014, 11:23:24 pm by barenekd »
2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer
2011 Black Classic G5 (RIP)
I refuse to tiptoe through life only to arrive safely at death
http://www.controllineplans.com


cyrusb

  • Kept man
  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,616
  • Karma: 2
  • There's a last time for everything
Reply #9 on: April 12, 2014, 10:36:44 pm
Well, none of us has to worry about ownership, they are only making 24. And I'm sure (as before) the price will be obscene .
2005E Fixed and or Replaced: ignition, fenders,chainguard,wires,carb,headlight,seat,tailight,sprockets,chain,shock springs,fork springs, exhaust system, horn,shifter,clutch arm, trafficators,crankcase vent.