Motorcycle specifications NortonSuperlight 650 SS 2020 A little more than a requirement

Norton is not just another motorcycle manufacturer. It's more aptly described as an English aristocrat with a passion for sport. Its past bears witness to this, while its current sports bikes ennoble it. The astonishing little Superlight presented last year aroused curiosity as much as it surprised with the power of its medium-displacement twin. This time, Norton shakes up the category, and beyond, with this simply staggering SS model.

SS is what Norton calls its exceptional models. Two strong letters that whistle on the tongue, in a short volume, while a very particular mechanical organ breathes hard in front of the Sino-English mechanics. The 650 cm3 twin-cylinder engine spits out a staggering 175 horsepower on this Superlight!

Read it again, there's no typo. It's 175 horsepower, or 129 KW if you prefer, or two and a half times the power of a Z 650. Yet the block has not changed in either cubic capacity or fuel consumption. The power boost comes from the addition of a compressor. This adds 70 horsepower, almost 66% more than the original. The Supercharger comes from Rotrex, a Danish supercharger specialist. It is reinforced by an intercooler to lower intake air temperature. As with all supercharged engines of this type, the compression ratio has been lowered (from 13.4:1 to 9:1). But that's the only thing that's gone down. In addition to watts, torque is up sharply, from 7.7 to 12.75 Nm - the muscle of a 1200 Monster in a 6.5" space, that's for sure. To cope with the shock, the gearbox and transmission are taken from the V4. The weight is also a little heavier. An extra kilo, which we consider negligible for a machine that weighs less than 160 kilos dry.

And yet, a compressor, an air cooler and all the parts required for supercharging weigh a lot. The Donington-based brand has done things right, and done them luxuriously, to keep the weight down and sublimate the buyers of the Superlight SS. Many elements are made of carbon, including the bodywork, BST rims, fuel tank... as well as the frame and swingarm. With this material, the Norton joins the ultra-confidential club of carbon-framed motorcycles. This includes a number of Bimotas, the BMW HP4 Race and the Ducati 1299 Superleggera.
All to the benefit of rigidity and lightness. Thus constructed, the frame is 47% lighter than its aluminum counterpart. The swingarm boasts a 20% gain.

the electronics also play their part, modulating the engine's enthusiasm. The Superlight SS features a 6-axis IMU, 3 riding modes (Rain - Road - Sport), traction control, anti-wheeling, stop-start assistant and Up&Down shifter. Other features include a 7-inch TFT color display, LED lights and keyless ignition.

If the carbon is eye-catching, so are the peripherals. Brembo is in charge of the brakes, with superb 4-piston M50s biting huge 330 mm discs. The rear features a 245 mm profile with a 2-piston caliper. The brake master cylinders are also by Brembo.
Italy in action before the bends, Sweden during. Öhlins takes care of the damping, with a 43 mm NIX30 inverted fork, TTX-GP rear monoshock and steering damper. Both front and rear are adjustable in all directions.
Norton doesn't forget to add an extra touch of luxury with an embossed, overstitched seat with double fabric, machined tees, chrome clutch housing, titanium exhaust and the Union Jack in a provocative position.

Kawasaki had made headlines with its H2 and H2R, the first motorcycles of the modern era to use a compressor. Norton goes one step further, combining the same type of technology with the exceptional use of carbon for the entire chassis. It offers a power-to-weight ratio never before seen on a SuperSport, unreasonable luxury in every respect, and an abominable price tag. The 50 future buyers probably won't care about this last parameter. Nor will we, since we'll never be able to afford it. But beyond dreams and daydreams, this Norton is a pure fantasy machine.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos