Matchless making a comeback with Model X Reloaded

Iconic British motorcycle firm Matchless is making a comeback with the expected launch of its first new bike, the Model X Reloaded, a design inspired by the legendary Model X built over 80 years ago.

The new Model X Reloaded has been designed by Franco Malenotti along with the Matchless design team. Reloaded has been designed to embody the tradition and spirit of Matchless and Malenotti reportedly even consulted descendants of the original founder to garner their approval for the new bike.

Powering the Model X Reloaded will be a 1916cc air-cooled V-Twin motor from American company S&S. Braking duties will be taken care of by a single disc up front, gripped by a Discacciati 12-piston caliper with forced air-cooling. The rear is also a single disc, but with a 6-piston calliper.

The Model X Reloaded is loaded with design details and unique technical solutions. Dual controls allow the rider to have their feet firmly beneath them for spirited riding, or stretched out feet-first, without needing to make adjustments. The seat unit can be moved up or down (from 740mm to 800mm) to match peg choice to leg position, while the bars are also adjustable for height and angle.

The bike is expected to be unveiled at Milan on November 6 and availability and price of the Reloaded are expected to be revealed then.

Matchless is one of the oldest marques of British motorcycles, manufactured between 1899 and 1966. A wide range of models were produced under the Matchless brand, ranging from small two-strokes to 750cc four-stroke twins. In 1938, Matchless and AJS became part of Associated Motorcycle Company (AMC) as did other British marques like Sunbeam, Indian and Norton.

After 1966, when the brand ceased to exist, the rights to the brand were purchased by the Manelotti family in 2012 and used on a new clothing line called Matchless London, in the spirit of the original clothing division of Matchless formed by founder Henry Collier in the 1930s. Now, with the Model X Reloaded, Matchless seems to be making a comeback to the glory days.