If you say the name Caterham, most of you probably think of the Caterham Seven, the two seat, bare knuckle sports car with really surprising performance, but these guys are expanding fast. They’ve now got racing teams and composites divisions and to top it off, they just brought out three new motorcycle designs that I think look really cool.
The bike that will be built first is the Brutus 750. They call it the “SUV of motorcycles” and it certainly has quite the manly off road look to it, but it also has an automatic transmission. There doesn’t seem to be any more information so we can’t say where the engine comes from or anything else, but it looks like it would be fun.
The other two bikes are electric, the Classic E-Bike which looks like a beach cruiser with a pseudo V-Twin, holding the batteries, maybe? Range is 40 to 80 km, depending on how you ride.
The last is the Carbon E-Bike with what looks like a carbon girder up front and a striking design overall. Heck, it should sell just on looks alone.
They say the bikes will be affordable and start production as early as spring 2014, though details beyond that are still up in the air.
With so little real information it’s hard to say much more, but from a pure design standpoint, they seem to have a pretty good start.
Press release follows:
CATERHAM GROUP LAUNCHES MOTORCYCLE DIVISION
Caterham Group has launched its first ever motorcycle division – Caterham Bikes – at the International Motorcycle Exhibition (EICMA) in Milan.
Three prototype products – the Brutus 750 (dubbed the ‘SUV of motorcycles’), Classic E-Bike (an all-electric, bike with retro styling) and the Carbon E-Bike (a premium electric bike inspired by F1 technology) – have been unveiled for launch throughout 2014 as part of the Group’s strategy of growth through intelligent partnerships.
The arrival of Caterham Bikes is a natural extension to the expanding Caterham Group since the purchase of the historic Caterham Cars brand in April 2011 by Tony Fernandes and Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun.
The two-wheeled division joins Caterham F1 Team, Caterham Racing (GP2), Caterham Technology & Innovation, Caterham Composites and the latest arm, Caterham Moto Racing Team, in the rapidly growing Caterham family.
Carrying Caterham’s DNA of British heritage, performance and intuitive handling characteristics, the new products will also adhere to the brand’s ethos of delivering ‘accessible fun’.
The iconic Caterham Seven sportscar is fondly referred to as the closest experience to motorcycle riding on four wheels so this move, the brand’s first foray into road bikes, is a natural step and follows the launch last month of the Caterham Moto2 race team.
Mirroring the business experience and strategy employed successfully by Tony Fernandes and Dato’ Kamarudin to make budget airline AirAsia the most profitable in the world, Caterham Bikes has allied itself with some of the brightest motorcycle entrepreneurs in Europe and Asia.
The new division will be spearheaded by Al-Ishsal Ishak as CEO. Ishsal comes to Caterham Bikes from his previous role with AirAsia as Group Head of Ancillary Income. The management team is made complete with Chief Designer Alessandro Tartarini, Chief Engineer Zeno Panarari, both known for their entrepreneurial spirit and product development prowess, along with businessman and ex-MotoGP racer, Andreas Leuthe who will head up the distribution and sales function.
Production of the three launch bikes – all priced affordably – will begin as early as Spring 2014, with the Brutus 750 the first to be built, followed by the two electric bikes later in the year.
The Caterham Bikes business strategy caters for the growing global demand for environmentally-friendly and multi-purposed, two-wheeled vehicles. Beginning with the European, North and South American markets, the Group’s key growth market will be in Asia, reflecting the burgeoning demand for such vehicles across those territories.
Tony Fernandes, Co-Chairman of Caterham Group, said: “Our vision for Caterham Group has taken another step forward with the launch of Caterham Bikes. Expanding our interests into the two-wheeled market is another natural progression for us and is a good opportunity to showcase the breadth of knowledge, experience and creativity we have at our disposal across the Group, now in the two-wheeled world in addition to all of our other automotive, technology and innovation interests.”
Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun, Co-Chairman of Caterham Group, said: “Taking Caterham into the motorcycle business has been a key objective since day one of Caterham Group. We are establishing ourselves in markets where we can bring new thinking, innovative concepts and products that will be game-changers; Caterham Bikes does exactly that. Having launched our Moto2 team recently at the Malaysian Grand Prix, the launch of Caterham Bikes takes us from the track to the road – we have partnered with industry experts and we have long-terms plans for the business that are ambitious but achievable, the perfect mix for success.”
Ishak said: “We are realistic and honest enough to know that we’re not in the business of rivalling the establishment; we’re here to offer an alternative that befits the spirit of Caterham.
“Just as the Caterham Seven is a motoring icon because of its unique design and engineering credibility, Caterham Bikes’ products will be aimed at a niche audience seeking exceptional quality, bespoke design flare and bikes easy enough for anyone to ride.”
Caterham Bikes’ three initial launch products, on display in prototype form at EICMA until November 10, are as follows:
– Brutus 750 – described as the “SUV of motorcycles”, menacing in stance but surprisingly nimble to ride, the Brutus 750 can operate as a street bike, off-road machine or even a snowmobile (conversion in less than four hours). It is the first motorcycle with an automatic transmission and the first ever two-wheel SUV.
– Classic E-Bike – carrying uniquely retro styling for the rider with a penchant for a design harking back to the golden age of British motorcycling, this bike has a range of 40-80km and does not require the rider to have a licence in the EU
– Carbon E-Bike – a premium bike with modern styling inspired by F1 technology; a limited edition version featuring exclusive F1 input and materials is currently being explored
Clive Makinson-Sanders says
Where do your feet go on the beach cruiser?
Paul Crowe says
Look close, there are pedals there so you can also pedal it like a bicycle.
Clive Makinson-Sanders says
Nevermind, sorry. I see it. ANYWAY those are all awesome. If the production models come anywhere near these ill want all three. New direction for motorcycle styling i love it.
Paul Crowe says
I agree. Whatever else someone may say about these, Caterham nailed the designs. Absolutely killer looks.
todd says
Those are really cool. The Brutus should give the Rokon a run for its money.
-todd
Chris says
Perhaps, but the Rokon is still 2WD and this is RWD-only. Given that 2WD is sort of the whole point of the Rokon, I’m a little skeptical that this is real competition for what must be a minuscule market. (Therein may lie the reason Caterham didn’t bother with the additional complexity of 2WD!)
cl
Lost Boy says
Is it automatic? or CVT like a snowmobile? It matters only because on my Foreman 500, some hills are very hard to handle with JUST the CVT. Luckily it is switchable so I can select a gear. I saw someone tweeted a picture of one of these in Russia (of all places) It was all snowed up so I assume they are using it pretty hard. I’ll take 3!
Robert says
Can anyone say Confederate M/C styling cues??? Or am I the only one?
Dynadog – In the Cold Prairies
Lost Boy says
Yeah I agree. I see it.
Lost Boy says
Found this:
“It’s fitted with a 50HP, single-cylinder, DOHC, 750cc water-cooled engine, it weighs 235kgs, it can be converted into a snowmobile in a couple of hours, it has a 10 litre fuel capacity and it’s fitted with a CVT (constantly variable transmission).”
Lost Boy says
50hp seems a bit weak for a 750 Most 450 thumpers make about 40. I’d like to see the torque number though.
Paul Crowe says
It looks like the Brutus was designed by Allesandro Tartarini and was at EICMA last year. Caterham must have bought the rights to it and put their name on it. Sounds a lot like the Lotus motorcycle effort. It’s sort of “design by checkbook.”
That takes absolutely nothing away from the design, which I still think looks great, but Caterham had little or nothing to do with it.
GenWaylaid says
Well, “design by chequebook” is what Caterham does. It’s not a bad thing. They fill a critical niche for manufacturing and marketing fun vehicles that otherwise would have disappeared years ago or never made it to market at all. The fact that the Lotus Seven is still in production just makes me feel like more is right with the world.
Paulinator says
I wonder if there will be a “book” version of any of these bikes?
I’ve grown enamored with the Seven. There is an interesting balance that exists between the classic “everyman’s” hand-forged race car and the timeless offering that Caterham puts its name to (along with the many others). Together they form a critical mass that has sustained ignition for the past 50+ years. Building one is on my list. The bikes…not so much.
dave says
Awesome! A modern, fully suspended Trailbreaker! Obviously the Brutus 750 is making 50 reliable horsepower not like the 450 MXrs that, although make gobs of power, are wrung out so much that engine repair is not only constant but expensive. When the Brutus goes on sale I would buy one!
David Duarte says
“First motorcycle with an automatic”? Honda had the Hondamatic 40 years ago!
todd says
I also remember the Husqvarna 390 Automatic (dirt bike) or the Guzzi Convert. I’m sure there were/are more. What about the Ridley?
-todd
Scotduke says
Ditto on the Hondamatic and the Guzzi Convert – I’d forgotten about the Husky tho. I know the Hondamatic and Guzzi Convert are sought after by disabled bikers here in Europe but I expect the Husky might be too much of a handful.
And Honda has come back to automatic bikes with its 700 parallel twin. It seems to be selling steadily now as I see more and more of them around. a Guy in my building replaced his VFR for one and I’ve been meaning to ask him what he thinks of it. Yamaha offered an automatic motorcycle/scooter in recent times though I’ve only ever seen one on the road.
Willyp says
Don’t know about the other two, but the Guzzi does not have an automatic transmission. I has an automatic torque converter/clutch. The transmission has a high or low range, which you were supposed to select when stopped, though I have known a few owners who shifted them while moving. The bike also has a regular clutch, used to shift the high/low or to prevent the bike trying to creep at stoplights.
[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moto_Guzzi_V1000_Convert]Moto Guzzi V1000 Convert – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/url]
Randy says
A 517 pound pitbike? Sorry, while this might be interesting to ride a couple miles I can’t think it will be successful.
Randy says
I should have added that I’m not adverse to the concept – I always thought Yamaha should have a larger version of the TW200. I owned one of those and it was a fun ride but not practical for the open highway or high mountains (gasp gasp!) and it’s cramped for anyone 5.8 or taller.. Use the same TW wheel/tires but scale the frame a little larger and use the air cooled XT250/350 6 speed (not the current XT250 5 speed). The resulting bike would have weighed under 300 pounds and, IMHO, been classically successful.
Wave says
I agree with David Duarte, someone needs to tell their marketing people to do some research. There are plenty of automatic bikes throughout history, and even a couple that are on the market right now! Perhaps they mean the first bike with a car-style automatic and torque convertor, maybe? It does seem to have a lot of transmission behind that 750cc thumper.
10 litres is a ridiculously small fuel capacity for any kind of large off-road bike. My Suzuki DR650 holds 13 litres (including 3 in reserve) and it is nowhere near sufficient. That’s obvious by the popularity of aftermarket long-range tanks for them. If you want to go on a decent trip, you need at least 20 litres on board.
Frank White says
Looks like who ever designed these likes Confederate motorcycles.
Hawk says
Only a matter of time until someone drops a Hayabusa engine in the Brutus.
(Glad you liked these Paul)
Hooligan says
Oh god what total bollocks nonsensical PR babble in that press release. For a “bike” with a twist and go quad bike engine?. Design? that is just pug ugly. Jezzus they should just put in the turbocharged 3 cylinder Suzuki Jimny engine that graces the new Caterham car.