Brixton Storr 500 ADV By Ben Purvis
Shown as a concept model back in November 2022, the Brixton Storr 500 is finally heading to production, with the mass-made version having now been awarded type-approval in China.
Like other Brixton models, including the Crossfire 500 and the range-topping Cromwell 1200, the Storr is to be manufactured in China by Gaokin, which also sells the Crossfire as the GK500 and the Cromwell 1200 as the GK1200 in its homeland. The production Storr 500 shown in the type-approval document is a bit of both, wearing the Brixton name across its headlight, but Gaokin branding on the engine.
While heavily based on the existing Crossfire 500, sharing the same parallel twin engine and a similar steel tube chassis, the Storr - named after a rugged rock formation on the Isle of Skye in Scotland - has a distinctive look of its own as the first ADV model to come from the Brixton brand. The production model is near-identical to the 2022 concept in terms of appearance.
Like the Crossfire 500, power comes from a 486 cc parallel twin putting out 47 hp (35 kW), placing it neatly into the A2 licence category in Europe, and putting it into direct competition with machines like Honda's NX500. It sits in a steel frame, again similar to that of the Crossfire, with KYB suspension borrowed from the Crossfire 500 XC scrambler, along with the same J.Juan brakes, Bosch ABS system and the XC's wire spoked wheels, 19 inches at the front and a 17-inch rear.
The big differences come in the styling, with a larger fuel tank and a fixed front cowl and headlight, as well as a longer, stronger seat subframe to add more lugging ability. Black plastic frames on either side of the fairing add protection and can be used as mounting points for luggage, along with a similar element on top of the fuel tank. On the 2022 concept version, the side frames were used to house a first aid kit, for example. The approval document confirms a 1,441 mm wheelbase and a relatively light curb weight of 209 kg.
Being approved in China suggests Gaokin is gearing up for the Storr's production, and a showroom version of the Brixton-branded variant is likely to be revealed later this year.
