Paton launch S1 production racer

ITALIAN race firm Paton is building a production version of the bike they plan to race at this year’s Isle of Man Lightweight TT race.

The S1 will get a hand-built chassis and be powered by a Kawasaki 650cc parallel-twin. Paton claim the 71hp bike will have a wet weight of 158kg, topping out at a maximum 133mph.

Four versions of the S1 will be available from the 16,000 Euro (£13,300) base model to the limited edition 23,000 Euro (£19,100) ‘First Factory Signature’ model, of which only 25 will be made.

A 21,000 Euro (£17,500) ‘Pep Memorial’ edition will be available, named after one of the company founders, as well as a Classic TT edition which costs 18,500 Euros (£15,400).

All four bikes will have different paint schemes and different spec suspension and detailing. The First Factory Signature edition will have brass welding, clear paint on the frame and a fully adjustable Ohlins rear shock.

Two versions of the front fairing will also be available, one with a dual-headlight setup, and one a classic round headlamp.

Roberto Pattoni, Paton’s Technical Director, said: “Racing has been Paton’s goal since it started in 1958, and with modern classes it means making a street legal bike, which also carries the added motivation of increasing our small firm's technical knowledge by having to solve problems it has never had to face before as well as providing a new challenge. It is a culmination of all our history into one single product."

A track version of the S1 will compete this year ridden by 26-year-old British rider Olie Linsdell, who won last year's Bennetts 500cc Classic TT on a Paton BIC 500 BL3 Replica.

Custom automotive builders Krazy Horse in Bury St Edmunds, will be acting as a UK dealer for Paton.