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At some point, the Hesketh Valiant SC’s engine was the biggest production V-twin in the world.
Not too many things are more intimidating than a retro-styled motorcycle equipped with a horrendously-potent powertrain. This is exactly what Hesketh's Supercharged 2100cc V-Twin Valiant is. Core intent on performance, brutality, and all British-made is the typical adage of Hesketh.
Lord Hesketh founded the company in 1980, wanting to resurrect the ebbing British motorcycle industry. Facing many problems in manufacturing its first model, V-1000, Hesketh sought help from Triumph, another British brand, to improve their bikes. And soon enough, the V-1000 rolled out with Triumph owning authority over the bike. But Lord Hesketh started another company to manufacture the full fairing version of the V1000, which again was a misstep.
However, while there is a lot about Hesketh's past, the battles of the past have only helped in forming a better future for the company. Heskeths are rare, and their sumptuous presence is why they are costly. They focus on detailed craftsmanship and provide the experience of riding an exclusive motorcycle that almost no one has ever seen.
Hesketh assembled the Valiant as an upgrade of its sibling, the Hesketh 24. It is a more powerful version of the 24. The frame is a chromium-molybdenum alloy giving it the ability to hold the big V-twin motor and the ability to maneuver it around. GIA Engineering, a company based in Nottingham manufactured it.
Although the Valiant uses the same frame as the 24, securing a position for the Rotrex Supercharger was nowhere simple. The insane amount of heat from the block was another challenge.
The Hesketh Valiant features the S&S X-Wedge air/oil cooled 2,097 cc V-Twin dry sump engine. Though the engine performs admirably, it was not what Sleeman expected it to be. Hence, it was supercharged to bring maximum performance out of it.
This motor was the biggest production V-Twin when it was exhibited back then. However, it is currrently not at the top, after Harley produced the all-new Screaming Eagle, Milwaukee eight crate, a 131 cubic inch (2147 cc) engine.
The Valiant is a machine built to give you thrills that you have never experienced on two wheels before. Its 2.1-liter V-twin motor produces 210 horsepower on the rear wheel at 5,500 rpm and an extravagant 217.6 lb-ft of torque at just 3,000 rpm. The torque pull is more like that of an electric vehicle; can you imagine 217 lb-ft of torque on a bike?
What is more alluring is that Paul Sleeman, the owner of Hesketh Motorcycles, on the launch of the Valiant, anticipated that the power outputs would be boosted by almost 40 horsepower by the time deliveries started in 2018. It may not be the most powerful production motorcycle, but the thing is no slouch by any means.
Umeyou via Wikimedia Commons
Like its other motorcycles, Hesketh titled the Valiant after an aircraft. The aircraft was, of course, a British asset named the Royal Air Force(RAF) V-Bomber that comprised UK's strategic nuclear force from the 1950s to 1960s.
Hesketh has previously used the Vulcan name among the three Bomber commando main force aircraft (First, Vickers Valiant, Second, the Avro Vulcan, and last, Handley Page Victor). Hence, Valiant was the name given to the newborn.
The brakes on these segment bikes are sometimes awful. Due to the weight and upright position, the bike feels more center-focused, and the brake on the front wheel reacts lazily. Such is not the case with the Hesketh Valiant.
The manufacturer equipped the Valiant with six-piston billet calipers (on each side) and a dual 320 mm floating disc setup developed in-house at the front. The rear brake is a four-piston caliper by Beringer sitting on a 250 mm disc. In total, sixteen piston calipers act to stop your 527 lbs bike.
With a 2.1-liter V-twin, solid chassis, sixteen-piston calipers brakes, most of the billet parts(alloys, etc.), and the body parts, all summed up, it weighs just 527 lbs. Yes, those are not wonderful figures, but comparing the Hesketh Valiant with heavy Harleys, it is decent.
Not to mention its breathtaking performance on its plate, the Valiant is just unbeatable. Hence, it makes you feel scared to run those twin babies on full throttle as you feel the 217 lb-ft thumps on as low as 3,000 RPMs.
The Valiant comes with many special elements, such as the billet brake calipers, Keith front forks & rear shocks, a subtle yet classy cluster by Smiths, and of course, the supercharger. But what's more conspicuous is the unique logo given only to the Valiant.
If you look closely below the tank, you can see an "H" shaped symbol on the supercharger cover. It represents the Hesketh motorcycles, and in one interview, Paul Sleeman said that it was the first time they're adding it on one of their bikes, and it probably won't be adopted on any other motorcycles; making it more unique.
No doubt about it. The Valiant looks gorgeous! The sublime mix of the black paint scheme with the red seats gives it a royal look. The tank's retro-styled graphics and the round headlight make are also cool to see.
We cannot fail to mention the big 50 mm forks and the twin shock set up at the rear gives it a macho stance and the V-Twin motor increases the charm even more. Priced at almost $50,000, the Hesketh Valiant justifies the sum you pay for it.
Having the vision to build an awesome British motorcycle, Paul Sleeman's wish was to build it entirely of British parts, except for the necessary upgrades. They tried to make it as UK-centric as possible to prove and hold the title of a British motorcycle manufacturer.
Apart from the American engine and some mandatory parts, the company tried to arrange as many components inside Great Britain like the Keith Suspensions, billet wheel rims, front brake calipers, chassis, etc. Also, they tried to keep the imports as little as possible.
There were several custom jobs done to the Valiant. They packed it with a Danish-built centrifugal compressor which was connected to the crankshaft directly. Apart from this, the Rims are made of three-piece Astralite-style from billet aluminum block.
ACT Performance in Surrey designed and manufactured all the Carbon fiber parts, as well as the 790 mm seat. Also, the motorcycle received a custom job by GIA to fix the 4.5-liter oil tank on the aluminum swingarm for the dry sump engine.
Ramya is a Computer Engineering graduate with a lifelong love of automobiles. Digs all types of cars but has a special place in his heart for Japanese and Italian two-seater sports cars.