New Hesketh Heresy 450 single-cylinder motorcycle announced
Hesketh Heresy 450 is the first motorcycle model from the brand not to be powered by a V-twin, instead it relies on air/oil-cooled single
A new 2023 model has arrived from a very historic British brand, as the Hesketh Heresy 450 single-cylinder motorcycle is officially announced.
The bike is being heralded as the Isle of Man-based brand’s most technologically advanced motorcycle to date, featuring a Euro5 single-cylinder engine, air/oil cooling, and ABS. It marks the first time the manufacturer has released a motorcycle powered by anything other than a big-bore V-twin and will be available to order soon, with a £14,000 price tag.
Hesketh Heresy 450 motorcycle spec and features
The heart of the bike is a 450cc single-cylinder engine that is related to that found in the venerable Honda XR400 enduro motorcycle. Power and torque should be fairly modest, especially when compared to the firm’s previous machines, and we are expecting between 30 and 40bhp when the bike’s final spec is confirmed. The chassis features radially mounted brakes, K-Tech suspension, and a hand-built frame.
The £14,000 price tag is an interesting point of note, especially when comparing the bike to the other niche café racers on the market. Now, we aren’t suggesting power is the defining factor of a motorcycle, but it plays a big part in the overall experience. On that front, the Hesketh sits a fair way behind Norton Commando 961 we rode last month. That bike commands a price tag of £16,499 and produces just under 80bhp. At the other end of the spectrum, we have the Langen Two Stroke, which is £28,000 before tax, delivering 95bhp and a featherweight 114kg.
It'll be interesting to see this bike in the flesh, and as it’ll be at the EICMA show in Milan next week, we’ll be sure to swing by the stand for a look at the new machine.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
