Zongshen Cyclone RX850
By Ben Purvis
We're still waiting for Norton to get its Atlas into production using the company's latest parallel twin engine, but already Zongshen in China has unveiled a second-generation version of the motor with a capacity hike to 850 cc.
Originally derived from the front pair of cylinders of the Norton 1,200 cc V4 superbike engine, the Norton twin is due to arrive in the Atlas as a 84 hp 650 cc unit, with 84 hp on tap. However, Zongshen did a deal to licence-build the engine several years ago and has now put its own derivative into production. It was originally shown last year in the Zongshen Cyclone RX6 adventure bike in detuned 650 cc form, making 70 hp and 46 lb/ft of torque, and already Zongshen has developed an enlarged 850 cc version and revealed it in the new RX850.
Looking identical to the RX6, the only real change is the engine. Peak power rises to 97 hp at 8,500 rpm, while torque is increased to 59 lb/ft at 7,000 rpm, making the RX850 look much more like an alternative to the likes of BMW's F850GS.
Even if the bike doesn't reach European markets, the fact that the Norton engine can be expanded to 850 cc is interesting, if the British company takes a leaf out of Zongshen's book and uses the larger-capacity design. Combined with the higher state of tune that the Norton 650 uses to give it a 20% power advantage over the similarly sized Zongshen version of the engine, the 850 cc unit might be able to hit as much as 115 hp if Norton was to adopt the same capacity.
