It was a while ago, but back in 2012, we told you Matchless was coming back into business after more than 40 decades of dormancy. Now, they’re about to unveil their new retro-styled roadster at EICMA next week.
Called the Model X, the new bike is (as predicted) a throwback to the company’s classic G80, Silver Hawk, and Silver Arrow motorcycles, at least in the styling department. That 1916 cc V-twin motor (from S&S) probably puts out a few more horses than those originals, though.
The new bike seems to be designed to fit a wide variety of riders and riding styles; there are two sets of foot controls, so riders can switch from standard placement to a feet-forward position. The handlebars are also highly adjustable, and the dual headlights can be reconfigured to fit changing road and weather conditions. The fishtail pipes and other chrome 1950s-styled bits, however, do not seem to be adjustable – buy this bike, and you’ll be stuck looking like an extra from The Wild One.
buy the bike and start tearing shit off. Pipes-gone, handlebars-gone
How is this “retro styled?” It’s an affront to the eyes of Biblical proportions.
“Called the Model X, the new bike is (as predicted) a throwback to the company’s classic G80, Silver Hawk, and Silver Arrow motorcycles, at least in the styling department.”
That’s a long stretch. The models mentioned were purposeful, attractive motorcycles exhibiting contemporary design in their time with form following function .
The “magnet through a parts bin” POS pictured above shares NOTHING with those bikes except the number of wheels.
Ivan’s right; it’s garish and ultimately hideous.
I had a buddy of mine had a Yamaha Road Star, he wanted to do what we all do, spice it up and make it his own, so he threw every piece of chromed “whatever” he could at it. He didn’t know when to stop, he just kept throwing more and more until it became a chromy shiny mess. Just chromed everything, too much, too busy looking, no rhyme or reason, and definitly no style. I think they looked at the Confederate Motorcycles Hellcat Speedster, tried to build something along those lines and failed miserably. IMO, yours may vary.