AN ALL-NEW, British-built lightweight two-stroke café racer is about to rip up the nation’s streets and racetracks.
The Langen, made in Wigan, will have a 249.5cc V-twin engine that produces an incredible 75bhp, which should propel this hand-built motorcycle to a top speed of 140mph.
It weighs in at a featherweight 112kg. The 90º V-twin engine is an advanced fuel-and-oil injected unit developed by Vins Motors, a team of former Ferrari engineers who are based in Maranello, Italy.
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The Langen was designed by Cristofer Ratcliffe, who for 10 years was the Chief Design Engineer at CCM Motorcycles, bringing to life motorcycles such as the ground-breaking GP450 lightweight adventure bike along with the CCM Spitfire range. Langen is Cristofer’s nickname.
The first, naked, version of the Langen was inspired by 60s café racers, with the intention being to remove pretty much everything that doesn’t make the bike go, stop or steer.
With a delicious spine frame, clip-ons, twin Brembo discs at the front and another at the rear, traditional style Ohlins forks with gaiters and twin K-tech shock absorbers at the back, the Langen looks set to be a giant killer on the track and on the road.
The design process focused on simplifying the motorcycle and greatly reducing weight using modern technology and materials along with components of the highest quality.
Produced in limited runs, the Langen will be fully customisable with bespoke geometry and ergonomics for each individual owner. Even the petrol tank has been designed with lightness in mind, being made of carbon fibre with a gold leaf inlay, to match the gold anodised componentry.
Cristofer has set up Langen to promote Great Britain as a leader in motorcycle development and manufacture.
He says: “They are pure and raw. The intention is to build 100 UK specification bikes to order. If there’s a demand, we’ll then build 150 bikes for the international market.”
By limiting the sales to the UK market at first, the Langen will avoid having to conform to complex type approval regulations surrounding the sale of bikes elsewhere in the world.
Early indications are that the motorcycles will cost just under £30,000, depending on the customer’s required specification. Visit langenmotorcycles.co.uk
Read more News and Features online at www.classicbikeguide.com and in the September 2020 issue of Classic Bike Guide – on sale now!
