Motorcycle specifications HeskethHeresy 450 2023 Conflict of opinion

Hesketh is one of those small British manufacturers whose career has been fragile, but whose presence is still felt despite the years. The brand has nothing to do with Triumph or Norton ; it might even be closer to CCM or Levis.
For its 40th anniversary, it is presenting a new small roadster: the Heresy, a motorcycle positioned far less radically than Hesketh's previous products.

Connoisseurs and the curious may remember the 24, Sonnet and Valiant, with their huge twins and small careers. With the Heresy, the reasonable makes its appearance, offering a more accessible machine. Its 450 cm3 engine is surprisingly small. Singularly small for a machine with a name and sporting genes.

Could this be an attempt to appeal to the clientele of the Kawasaki Z 400, KTM 390 Duke or Triumph 400 Speed? Certainly not! Especially since the Heresy lives up to its name, with a modest engine and BMW S 1000 R pricing. The single-cylinder engine from Hartford (Taiwan) is derived from the old XR 400 block, and passes Euro5 standards, allowing the machine to envisage a career in Europe. More of a challenge than a project. The rider will have to make do with an estimated 30 horsepower. A Mash 400 Five Hundred with almost the same engine (but less paunchy) has only 27.

Let's not give it too much credit. Still, this engine has a certain charm, with its cooling fins and chromed crankcases engraved with the name of the Redhill craftsman. All around, the tone changes. We're clearly dealing with some fine work here, with a chrome-molybdenum tubular trellis frame in a design reminiscent of the old Moto-Morini 1200s.
For suspension, Hesketh has installed a multi-adjustable Fastace inverted fork and a pair of K-Tech rear shocks. Braking comes courtesy of twin front discs and 4-piston radial calipers. Strong, even too strong for the level of performance. A single disc at the rear, with a 2-piston caliper.

British craftsmen don't rely on technology alone. Certain effects are there to testify to their passion. Look at the exhaust flutes under the seat, the very special connection between the aluminum swingarm and the amortos, the embossed leather seat, the very stylish brake and clutch jars, the polished rim edges, and the little 40 years logo on the top of the tank.

The Hesketh 450 Heresy weighs in at 165 kilos. Not particularly light for a 4 and a half. And to think that the XR 400 we were talking about didn't even reach 130 units.
This will be the least expensive model the brand has ever put on the market. But you'll have to fall in love with it and forget all reasonable considerations to give it a chance.
Above all, let's salute the existence and tenacity of small brands, which have the power to bring us small machines with surprising taste.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos