Hyde Harrier
HYDE Harrier
ROUNDUP
A proper British Triumph
GARY INMAN
THIS IS THE BIKE Triumph should have built." If I've been told that once, I've been told it a dozen times. But truth is, the motorcycle plenty of people think the factory should be building is the Hyde Harrier-a Brit made, Hinckley / Bonneville( powered special inspired by Meriden's late 1960s and early `70s factory racebikes.
Norman Hyde-doyen of the U.K. motorcycle after market, former (Meriden) Triumph and Norton research-and-development engineer and champion drag racer-had the idea to bring his Harrier range up to date. He commissioned chassislegend Harris Performance to create a frame and body kit. Hyde (left) isn't inter ested in selling complete bikes; he's upholding an old tradition of Y selling frame kits for • home builders to cre • ate something truly special for themselves. The Harris frame is made in England from T45 chromoly steel that's been bronze-welded (not MIG or TIG) by a man who has been making motorcycle frames for nearly 40 years. The quality of the design and welding is superlative. One tube runs in a straight line from the steering head to just above the swingarm pivot before curving to mount behind and below the gearbox. The frame is braced and triangulated like an old racer's, and the swingarm is round tube for period authenticity. The prototype I rode uses AP Racing brakes and Dymag wheels, and is bookended by Ohlins suspension.
"Suspension that might seem over-the-top on a Bonneville adds a classy ride on real roads."
Lines are faultlessstance and proportions just right. The tank is a hand beaten aluminum joy. On top is a huge fuel filler, just like those from Harris Magnum is, screwed tight by button head Allen bolts with a thick cork gasket in between. Twin Cibie lights evoke the period that inspired the bike, too.
It's the alluring cocktail of high-end modernity and time-served craftsman-built heritage that floats my boat. Plus, the Hyde Harrier is built for the kind of riding I love best: knees-in on fast, sweeping roads. The aircooled 902cc parallel-Twin makes enough power to keep things interesting but not enough to intimidate. Ducking behind the big bubble, I become Percy Tait, Paul Smart or John Cooper. Few bikes make me imagine I'm someone else.
I reckon I'm doing 110 mph, and the big-bore engine doesn't feel out of breath. It's barking through custom, upswept stainless steel Harris exhaust pipes with more than a hint of MotoGP in them. Air is gulped down the beilmouths of 35mm Keihin CR Specials that, in turn, feed big-valve heads housing "half-race" cams. Meanwhile, the chassis is completely composed. As it should be; it's designed to cope with 180-mph velocities.
This is the development bike, complete with a few rough edges, but nothing is so jarring that it spoils the experience. Those tidy ex hausts are tucked in neatly, and the Harrier feels like it could lean forever. And because the rear tire is a sensible 170mm wide, the bike turns with little effort. The brakes have good feel and power. Suspension that might seem over-the-top on a Bonneville adds a classy ride on real roads.
In this specification, the Hyde Harrier (www. hydeharrier. co. uk) is a dealbreaking £19,000 ($29,323). But this is a kit bike, and for £4700 ($7253), you get the bare frame, swingarm, gas tank, seat, rearsets, stand, rear fender, swingarm pivot, engine plates and battery box. Then you need a donor Bonneville and other parts, so you're looking at £9000 ($13,885), I'd guess, for a bike with stock brakes and suspension. Yes, for simi lar money, you could get a Harris Magnum kit for a big motor, but that would be missing the point. The Harrier works because it is so nicely balanced.
