A pair of 445cc retros from SWM, as the reborn brand continues its comeback.
Norton, Indian and Brough Superior are just the most obvious motorcycle marques to have been revived in the last few years, and when names like Francis-Barnett and New Imperial are experiencing rebirths it makes you wonder why no one’s resuscitated BSA. Triumph doesn’t count – it’s been around so long in Hinckley form that it’s become part of the furniture.
Of course, it’s only brand names being revived – no one is suggesting that venerable workers are being persuaded out of retirement, or ancient, mothballed factories breathed back into life. But the pull of these old names is such that this doesn’t seem to matter very much.
The Brits and Americans don’t have a monopoly on evocative names from the past – the Italians have their fair share as well. FBMondial is on the way back, and you’ll have noticed that SWM was relaunched last year. It has a shorter heritage than any of the other reborn brands, but certainly means something to anyone involved in trials and motocross in the 1970s and early 80s. Until now, the new generation SWMs have been little more than rebadged Husqvarnas, but these latest bikes are really more significant for the company’s future, having been designed in-house.
Denne historien er fra September 2016-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
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Denne historien er fra September 2016-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Honda CRF1100L ES Africa Twin
Without panniers he was adventuring nowhere - so at least Bertie's got something sorted now
BMW R 12 nineT
Chad gets a track day surprise when BMW's R 12 nineT turns out to be surprisingly fun on track
Test fleet: VOGE 525 DSX
After testing the Voge's abilities on a long ride, it was time to take it to the Cotswolds and see how it would manage on the rougher stuff
Portuguese Perambulations
Nearly over before it had begun, a brief workshop stint allows Spain and Portugal to be explored
Highway to Heaven
Three friends take on the challenge of riding the length of Canada, from Vancouver in the southwest to Inuvik in the north. The road is long, the conditions merciless, and wildfires are tearing through the country. To top it all off, the final leg of the journey is the ultimate test of gravel riding skills, nerves, and courage - it's the legendary Dempster Highway...
Battlaxes at the ready!
We tend to take tyres for granted, never really looking at them in any detail, or at how they work, just hoping that they keep us shiny side up at all times. Even in the wet
Ducati Riding Experience
When I rode the Ducati DesertX to France last year, I did have a bit of an explore on some easy fire roads and gentle green lanes in the wilds of the Médoc area, but was left with the feeling that, had I the experience, the DesertX would have been capable of taking me along some more extreme trails to some even more exciting places. If only there was a way of finding out just how well the Italian adventure bike could cope with some more extreme terrain...
Four pot flyer
Many said that sports bikes, and particularly bikes in the traditional Supersports class that was populated by 600cc inline fours, were dead. Maybe they spoke too soon?...
Eastern adventurer
With an increasing interest in smaller capacity adventure bikes, the market expands with a new entry
First Time Lucky?
It's ironic that the first all-new MV Agusta model to hit the marketplace right after Italy's No.1 trophy brand was acquired by Austrian giant Pierer Mobility, owner of off-road titans KTM, should be the company's first dual-purpose model of the modern era, powered by MV's all-new 931cc three-cylinder engine that's destined to form the basis of a whole series of new models in coming months and years.
