Photography by Cordero Studios
Collection Gift Guide: Naked Newcomer
December 1, 2006
The Ecosse Heretic ($64,800) may look like a delicately designed, two-wheeled beauty, but fire up its 120 cu in V-twin motor, and an entirely different beast presents itself. Pushing the red starter button produces a fierce bellow from its twin exhausts, and the untamed sound—even at idle—sets the mood for what promises to be a thrilling ride.
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“If someone struggles to understand the Heretic at rest,” says Ecosse founder
and designer Donald Atchison, “they definitely get it when it starts up.” The
dichotomy between the bike’s precious appearance and raw performance is not
unintentional. Having road-raced Bimotas, Atchison holds a deep affection for
the quick and the exotic. Complementing his taste is an appreciation for the
functionality of watches, aircraft, and weapons, particularly those with working
mechanisms exposed to the naked eye. (Click image to enlarge)
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If naked bikes celebrate mechanical components, the Heretic fetishizes them. A
trellis frame wraps unobtrusively around the bike’s visual focal point, its
billet aluminum motor. A handcrafted carbon-fiber, carbon Kevlar, and fiberglass
matrix fuel tank is highlighted with a decidedly old-world pinstriping. As if to
further underscore the bike’s more anachronistic aspects, cannon like handmade
titanium exhaust pipes bolster an otherwise slight rear end. (Click image to enlarge)
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Contrary to its primitive design, the Heretic’s performance is thoroughly
modern. The pull of 135 hp and 142 ft lbs of torque from the American-built
power plant is so insistent that a hard twist of the throttle on cold tires sends
the rear wheel spinning—clearly, the bite lives up to the bark. Engine oil is
housed in the frame, eliminating the need for an external reservoir. A fully
adjustable Öhlins suspension combines predictable, precise handling with a
compliant ride, and optional BST carbon-fiber wheels reduce weight and provide a
slight torque improvement. (Click image to enlarge)
Bespoke possibilities abound. One Heretic buyer has ordered a bike painted in the same livery as his racecar; another has gone so far as to commission a 127 cu in, fuel-injected power plant featuring special internals.
The Ecosse’s appearance may be uncompromisingly sporty, but its riding position is akin to sitting in a chair, thanks to Atchison’s disdain for wrist and back pain that stems from years of racing. “I like the idea of being able to customize a product to fit me ergonomically and aesthetically,” explains Atchison, “but not conflict with the designer’s vision and engineering.” In the Heretic, those aspects merge to create a bike that combines speed with a neutral riding posture, encouraging prolonged saddle time. Customers can choose between 12 foot-control positions, and the fork angle is available in dragster or more aggressive road-racer configurations.
Ecosse Moto Works
303.246.3080
www.ecossemoto.com
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