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Motorbike Mondays: New Hesketh 24 Review

January 5, 2015

Monday has come once more and we’re revving up for another instalment of Motorbike Mondays. In today’s review, we’re taking a closer look at the Hesketh 24. Now, for those of you who remember Hesketh Motorcycles, the mention of their name might jog some memories of a perpetually failing 1980s motorcycle company from Northamptonshire. Less than 400 Hesketh motorcycles were built – and needless to say, when the news broke that Hesketh was producing a new motorcycle, the entire industry did a double take. So what’s the story? Let’s dive right into the brand new Hesketh 24.

Design

Now this is how you revive a brand! Every inch of the new Hesketh 24 references motorsport history. The exterior colouring is inspired by James Hunt’s 1970s Formula One car, which has recently re-entered the public consciousness following the release of the movie Rush. There’s even a map of the Zandvoort circuit in the Netherlands on the side panelling, referencing Hunt’s famous formula one victory for Hesketh. It’s a beautifully designed piece of machinery, with its aesthetic very much dominated by the motorbike’s huge engine.

Performance

Let’s discuss that beast of an engine first – because we are talking more torque than power. This American S&S 1950cc V-twin gives you 125hp and 144lbft. And this is the kind of power you can hear, since the Hesketh 24 boasts quite a roar. It’s actually 1 decibel above the legal norm, so you can be sure to turn plenty of heads when you take this bike for a spin. On top of that, the bike handles like a treat, even at high speeds, steering isn’t too heavy and the brakes are crisp and responsive.

Features

Keeping in line with Hesketh Motorcycles’ history, the instrument panel is completely analogue. The omission of a rev counter might seem weird until you realise that you really don’t need one on a bike that has a peak torque of 3,000rpm and power that peaks at 6,000rpm.

The number in the name Hesketh 24 references two things – firstly, it was the number of Hunt’s Hesketh 308 F1 car that won the 1975 Dutch Grand Prix. And secondly, it’s the number of bikes that will be produced. That’s right – if you buy this bike, you’ll be one of only 24 people who own this beautiful piece of British motorcycle history.

Unsurprising, exclusivity like that comes at a price. The price tag on the Hesketh 24 will be around £35,000 – so you’ll probably not be using it for the daily commute. But if all this talk of motorbikes has given you the new bike itch, check out the Car Loan Warehouse’s dedicated motorbike finance page. We specialise in both new and used motorbike finance, and we can help you find a finance plan that suits your budget. Use the loan calculator now for an instant quote.

About The Author

Jon Le Roux is co-founder and company director of The Car Loan Warehouse. Being a mad engineering and motorsport enthusiast, I spend more hours than is healthy, watching, reading or talking about cars, boats, motorbikes…..basically anything with an engine.