Norton Atlas GT first ride: Anything but run of the mill

In the world of motorcycling for leisure and pleasure, the heat of the battle lies in the middleweight category. Between 350cc to 750cc, in a narrow 400cc band from bottom to top. This is where the competition is at its hottest. This is also the space that’s leading global motorcycling growth at 7.5 per cent annually and is currently estimated to be over $10 million. In India alone, there are more than 25 different products spanning approximately 15 manufacturers to choose from. To enter this segment with a brand-new product is not for the faint hearted. So, the one thing that is beyond doubt right from the get go is the intent and commitment with which Norton introduced its newest motorcycle to the world, in Iceland. Introducing, the Norton Atlas GT – a sub-600cc adventure tourer that is made in India, for the world.

Norton Atlas GT design and styling

Legacy and adventure aren’t particularly compatible when it comes to motorcycle styling. One follows a retro path, whereas the other follows a far more contemporary design language. What Norton has presented is a wholly new design language that successfully blends those two ideas. They’re calling it reductive and while it takes a little bit of time for the eye to get used to it, it works. The panels are all large and there is a marked absence of the slashes and cuts that are the trademarks of adventure bikes. There’s no beak either, like the Harley-Davidson Pan American and the Honda Africa Twin. The net result is a clean, slightly slab-sided profile that looks better in the flesh than in pictures. Perhaps it’s a British design fascination with slabs. Haven’t we seen them in Land Rovers also? Besides, Norton says they are practical. Large panels mean fewer gaps, which means lower potential for any of your riding gear or kit to snag on. You actually get to see quite a bit of the bike’s colour and of course the reductive version of the ornate and iconic Norton logo of the past.

Anyway, the point is, the bike looks good. Different, but good. Especially in the Sinopia Orange (there are four more colours) that we were going to ride. There are some smart elements too. Like in the case of the Royal Enfield Himalayan, which it will be compared to at some point I’m sure, there is no separate tail lamp. Instead, the tail lamp function is built into the indicator stalks, which now triples up as tail lamp, brake lamp as well as indicators. Unlike in the case of the Indo-British brand, the Norton Atlas misses indicator stalks up front too. They are innovatively integrated into the built-in handguards. Barkbuster boys will cry foul but truth is, you can’t get these removed. Straight up twin projector LED headlamps are housed over a signature curved DRL. This sits at the bottom of a three-way adjustable windscreen and a black fairing. Looked strangely like a smiling droid to me. Below that smiley face sits a couple of small lights that look like fog lamps but actually perform a cornering function. Using inputs from the 6-axis IMU, when the motorcycle is turning left, the right lamp lights up and vice versa for a right turn. It’s standard on the top-spec Apex variant we rode but can also be ordered on the Base.

Norton Atlas features and ergonomics

Seat height is at 845mm, which would be optimal. Not too low and yet comfortable enough for riders of almost any height. The seat itself is very nice and once you swing a leg over it and sit, you realise you’re actually in the motorcycle and not on it. In front of you is that windscreen that can be adjusted for height by operating two simple clamps on either side. Immediately after you notice the large 8-inch TFT touchscreen display with Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, multimedia control for playing music and receiving calls, navigation control, GoPro control and total integration with the Norton Rider App, which can keep you engaged forever with its endless supply of data. There are five riding modes to choose from as well – Urban (default), Rain, Tour, Sport and Enduro. There’s also a little SOS button on the right switchgear cube with a protective flap on top. Hopefully, you’ll never need it but on the off chance that you do, just click the flap open with your thumb and hit it.

The high-quality switchgear falls to hand easily, as do the adjustable clutch and front brake levers. The riding posture is neutral and comfortable and ergonomics have been sorted out to a point where you’ll really have to look to find the Atlas’ heft. Without fuel the Apex variants we were riding tipped the scales at 192kg. The pillion seat is well cushioned too and the grab handles-cum-luggage rack is very well crafted, sturdy and practical. Norton also has some luggage to sell you if you’re interested. One of the bikes we saw had a lovely semi-rigid top box and saddle bags.

Norton Atlas GT chassis and engine 

With the Atlas, Norton decided to use a steel tubular trellis frame with the engine hanging from it as a stressed member. The brand says that this is not only an ode to the famed ‘featherbed’ of the 1960s but also a practical choice for a motorcycle that is expected to perform in a range of environments. Off-road included. Where some amount of flex and give in the chassis itself is a good thing. Suspension duties up front are handled by 43mm USD KYB forks that are 20-step fully adjustable (rebound and compression). At the rear is a hydraulic spring with pre-load adjustment and featuring a bespoke stroke-dependent damping. Given its adventure touring aspirations, you get 180mm of suspension travel both at the front and rear. All of this sets on dual-heat-treated aluminium alloy wheels – 19-inch at the front and 17 at the rear. Shod with 110/80 ahead and 150/70 at the back specially developed TVS Eurogrip tyres.

This entire package is powered by a 585cc parallel twin with a 270-degree crank offset. Which means a firing order in quick succession, followed by a longish gap, which Norton says will allow the tyres to regain traction after any initial slip. Be that as it may, max power is 69bhp at 9300rpm and 57.5Nm of peak torque at 7300rpm. What is interesting in this is that 98 per cent of that entire torque 4500-5000 revs and then stays till just before 9500. All of this is sent to the rear wheel via a chain drive and a 6-speed cassette type transmission.

Norton Atlas GT performance and dynamics

The first thing to notice on the Atlas is the absence of weight. It isn’t light at 192kg with all oils and no fuel. Yet, it all comes together very beautifully to create an experience that is neither intimidating nor overwhelming. The very next thing that contributes to this sense of confidence is the powertrain. Thanks to its enormous torque spread, there’s an unexpectedly pleasant level of tractability. Any gear, any speed just twist the wrist and she’ll pick up her skirt and start running. In the city, when I didn’t want to be the one in the group to be left behind at a traffic signal. On the highway, when I needed to catch up with the group, on the content runs when I needed to get close to the tracking car. There was always enough go available to my right wrist without having to drop down too many gears. In fact, there was a section on gravel where I had dropped to almost 25kmph in third because I needed to make a turn that I hadn’t spotted earlier. She picked up. Without fuss. And even when you have to shift, the gearbox sifts through the cogs easily and smoothly. While there is a Quickshifter function, I didn’t particularly like it. I also found a neutral between fifth and sixth on two occasions but nothing else to report.

The chassis and that tractable engine come together really well. Handling is neutral for the most part and those tyres really grip the surface they roll over. There is remarkable composure throughout it all. Iceland’s weather had thrown a curveball at Norton with lots of rain and fog. In fact, ours was the only group to get sunshine at all over the 11 days of hosting media from around the world. And we were dead last. Naturally, we got a rain-soaked start. Thankfully a drizzle and not a full-blown shower but enough to layer the road with chilled water. In spite of that, things didn’t feel slippery. We could ride with confidence. Even on the pipeline road with its staccato blasts of strong crosswinds or on the 15km gravel section through an incredibly beautiful forest, the bike always felt stable. Forgiving even.

The balance that Norton has been able to work out – no doubt with lots of help from TVS, since the bike is designed and built in India – a very pleasant balance between ride quality and handling. Quite unexpectedly, our 200+ km ride route through some of the world’s most amazing traffic-free riding roads also had a smattering of potholes and some delectable corner with blind crests, dips and climbs. Through it all, the Atlas returns both comfort and confidence by the ton. The nasty pothole that I actually hit was dispatched without any noticeable fuss and on the turns, the Atlas feels like a willing partner. It stops very well too. A pair of 310mm semi-floating discs up front and 270mm at the rear with Bybre calipers (radially mounted at the front) serve to help you stop. There’s plenty of feel at the levers, both front and rear and of course there’s ABS to boot. In fact, the Norton Atlas offers not just Cornering ABS but also Cornering Traction Control, Cornering Cruise Control, Rear Wheel Lift Control, Drag Torque Control and Electronic Combined Braking (available only in the Apex) among other things.

Does it have the thrill of riding quotient?

Absolutely. For any rider but especially those who enjoy the feel of a big bike but without its inevitable intimidation effect. At 25.7 degrees, the rake on the Norton Atlas is actually sharper than what you get on the KTM 390 Adventure as well as on the Royal Enfield Himalayan. So, steering is sharp and doesn’t require effort. Flicking from side to side through flowing switchbacks is both confidence inspiring as well as a joy. Opening the wrist doesn’t give that instant rush of acceleration that would come from a bigger engine but the pace picks up smoothly and with enough urgency but not any accompanying rawness. Getting it up to triple digit speeds and then staying there is a piece of cake.

On gravel, switch to Enduro mode (switches traction control and rear ABS off) and get going for some slide-y fun. There’s enough to make the tyres slip and the bike slide but you’re always aware that there is a safety net. This forgiving nature may also be the chink in its armour, particularly for those who are looking for dramatic sensations. This is a solid motorcycle, that is capable and focused at returning a rewarding experience with some thrills to go with it. Can you indulge in some two-wheeled hooliganism? Sure it can, but that’s not what it’s designed for. It’s a motorcycle that will make you happy and take away your worries more than blowing your mind.

Norton Atlas GT verdict

Before I get there, I have to tell you that there were some small things that I didn’t like much. But these were small issues that are almost borderline nitpicking territory. One of them was the indicator button. They feel fine without gloves but put your mittens on and you can’t really feel what it was doing. Many of us ended up switching our hazards on multiple times. Irritating in India, but potentially risky in Europe where folks riding or driving behind may have no clue why you did that. Most importantly, you will also be clueless about what you’ve done. Something to be fixed. That notch in the windscreen that the Norton guys told us would reduce head-shake will only do so when you adjust the windscreen for your own height. There are two clips on either side of the screen, just ahead of the handlebar that you need to press down on and then raise or lower the windscreen.

Now, for a final verdict. The Norton Atlas has all its mechanicals and underpinnings well sorted. It’s actually a TVS hallmark and that is something they have passed on to Norton as well. There is no hurry to launch a product until it is ready. And the Atlas is, ready. For whatever road whichever continent can throw at it. It has thrills but far more importantly it offers comfort, convenience, reliability and usability. In a sea of adventure tourers that seem to hold out similar promises, the Norton Atlas is anything but run of the mill.