New 400-650cc Norton Bikes Incoming, To Rival Royal Enfield

A few days back, TVS Motor Company officially announced that it would launch the Norton brand in India this year, and now it is reported that the upcoming bikes will be made on brand-new platforms. Two platforms are in the making — a 400-450cc single-cylinder and a 600-650cc twin-cylinder engine. 

Upcoming Platforms

Norton Motorcycles has a rich history in making air-cooled engines, and the trend is most likely to be carried forward with the upcoming platforms. The 400-450cc single-cylinder engine will most likely be an air-cooled unit, possibly with a long-stroke configuration for better torque delivery. The design will also be in line with Norton’s heritage (read retro roadster). The upcoming single-cylinder Norton will go against the Royal Enfield Classic 350 in India, and with the added advantage of having extra displacement, it is expected to make more power and torque.

As for the 600-650cc twin engine, we expect it to be a downsized (and modernised) 650cc version of the air-cooled parallel-twin engine used on their Commando 961 motorcycle. Another reason for the big-twin to be an air-cooled engine is that Norton previously tried working on a 650cc liquid-cooled platform (remember the Norton Atlas?), but the project was binned as the brand was on the verge of bankruptcy.  

Rich Heritage, Premium Pricing

Designing air-and-oil-cooled engine platforms will also help the brand keep the pricing in check. That said, even though Norton appears to be targeting Royal Enfield’s dominance in the respective segments, Norton may not be vying for sheer volumes. Consequently, expect the brand to command a premium pricing for the two motorcycles. The Norton 450 may cost around Rs 3 lakh, whereas the Norton 650 might be pegged at around Rs 4 lakh (both ex-showroom) in India. 

Norton did apply for the trademark of the names ‘Norton Manx’ and ‘Fastback’ in 2020, in addition to the Commando and Atlas nameplates, so expect the brand to use these names for the upcoming bikes.

Coming Sooner Than You Think

Enthusiasts who are eagerly waiting for the British bike maker won’t have to wait for long. TVS announced that it will launch the brand in India by the end of this year. The first bike will reportedly be launched by the end of 2026, and could be the 450cc motorcycle. Expect the 650cc bike to be launched in early 2027. 

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