Gaokin V1000 Thor could be a Brixton in Europe
Gaokin isn't a brand name that means much in the west, but it is one of the leading Chinese motorcycle engine suppliers, and is the company that manufactures the machines we know as Brixtons on this side of the globe.
Now Gaokin has launched its latest large capacity model, the V1000 Thor, using a new DOHC V-twin engine in a distinctive, cruiser-style machine.
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The Thor's engine is an 80-degree V-twin that measures 997 cc, combining a 92 mm bore, 75 mm stroke and a 10.3:1 compression ratio to develop 88.5 hp (66k W) at 7200 rpm and 70 lb-ft (95 Nm) of torque at 6000 rpm. It is bolted to a cast aluminium frame with a distinctive design that reflects the engine's V configuration, with a monoshock rear end and upside-down KYB forks. Bosch supplies the engine electronics and the ABS for the radial-mount brakes.
The bike's muscle-cruiser styling is emphasised by the use of a 240/40VR18 rear tyre, with a 130/70R18 front, and while the bike's weight - 252 kg dry or 269 kg including 20.5 litres of fuel - is far from light, neither is it vastly heavier than rival machines.
At the moment, the Thor has only gone on sale in China, with a price that's equivalent to € 9200, but most of the company's bikes are offered in Europe under the Brixton brand name. The Gaokin GK500 is the Brixton Crossfire 500, for instance, and the Bonneville-style GK1200 is the Brixton Cromwell 1200.
While not Gaokin's biggest bike - the 1200 cc GK1200 takes that crown - the Thor is its most powerful. It's also relatively high-tech, with ride-by-wire throttles, multiple engine modes and cruise control. Given the company's European access via Austrian importer KSR, and the fact that Chinese emissions rules are close to those in Europe, if there's demand for the machine in Europe there should be relatively few barriers to importing it.
