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With names like Reed Racer and Dot Demon, they hark back to the essence of the British motorcycle industry. However, they are powered by a Japanese heart and a Kawasaki 650 twin. One of the driving forces behind this charming project? TT or Man-hero Guy Martin.
For the beginning of this story, we have to go back to 1903. Dot Motorcycles win races on the Isle of Man with founder and driver Harry Reed. But in 1978, after many successful years in British trial sport, Dot is over. However, the name remains in the heart of the brand’s heirs. Together with engineers Anthony and Daniel Keating, however, Dot must rise again. Of course with potent and light sports bikes. TT driver Guy Martin lent a helping hand in the development of the two new models.
History hides behind both these names. The Reed Racer is named after founder Harry Reed. Dot Demon has been the nickname of the scrambler in trials sport since 1961. The new models naturally carry that history with them. For example, the Reed Racer is a spirited café racer with a slight tendency towards street fighter (also a British ‘invention’ by the way) and the Dot Demon is a Scrambler. Both have a tubular steel frame and a cage-shaped swingarm, a construction somewhat reminiscent of that of the British Spondon. Between the frame tubes we see a parallel twin with 650 cc capacity and 68 hp power, for the right listener: coming from the Kawasaki Z650. On the Racer, the frame ends with a slight ‘upswing’ and two mufflers placed directly under the butt, which are again somewhat reminiscent of the first Big-Bang-R1. The Demon ends flat again, with the two mufflers placed on the sides, just like the 1050 Speed Triple from 2005 had.
The bicycle section is capped with Showa spring elements. Big-Piston upside-down fork at the front and a mono shock absorber at the rear. Racer and Demon both have 17 inch wheels with 120/70ZR17 and 160/60ZR17 tires, the Demon of course studded rubber. The brakes were purchased from Brembo. Roadworthy, Dot gives a flyweight of only 169 kilograms for both models. Prices are not yet known.
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