Avinton Collector Race Trial

Menus

• French luxury
• Discovery
• In the saddle
• Contact
• In the city
• Departmental
• National
• Expressways and motorways
• Brakes
• Practical aspects
• Conclusion
• Manufacture

French luxury

What if the rebirth of our motorcycle industry went through the high end? The approach is relevant and deserves attention. In any case, this is the bet of the small Gard team Avinton to whom we visited to try this pure French haute couture product..

Discovery

From the first contact, the Avinton impresses with its proportions. The enormous 1640cc V twin jumps in the face. Sober, virile, massive, uncluttered, the qualifiers that come to mind are innumerable, as this mechanism exudes strength and purity. Its air cooling and superb fins have a lot to do with it. No hanging hoses, no radiator to spoil the view. Nothing too much, just the bare essentials. What is true for the engine is also true for the motorcycle. Clearly, the designer has chased away the superfluous, to keep only the essentials. Everything is robust and minimalist at the same time. The beautiful machined Marchesini wheels, the solid inverted fork and the enormous swingarm inspire confidence. But next to that, the small lighthouse, the tiny indicators, the small saddle are there only to ensure the minimum service..

The Avinton is first and foremost 2 wheels and a (big) engine. After this first shock, the gaze lingers and we then notice the care taken in the finish, the attention to detail which makes that each element of the puzzle contributes to making this roadster a beautiful object. This motorcycle has nobility and we imagine that blue blood flows in its hoses. Forged aluminum rubs shoulders with carbon and parts cut in the mass. They would gladly expose her to view in her living room, if a woman and a banker were in agreement. Word is out, this motorcycle with sculptural beauty is a work of art … which rolls as dare dare as we will see. If you want to know more, dive back into the heart of our “on your mark” section. You will discover all the technology of Avinton, born Wakan, detailed in the menu.

In the saddle

There is something impressive about going out to try Avinton. Indeed, given the dimensions of the engine, when we measure 1.68 m for 63 kg, we are afraid of not being the weight, or even of not being up to it … Well not at all! Very narrow, the Avinton allows you to put your feet comfortably on the ground. It must be said that it is not the thickness of the foam that will enhance the saddle (790mm). On this, the designers "played it fine" so to speak … The version we are testing is a "race" model with the handlebars located under the upper triple clamp. The footrests are placed high enough back, but since the bike is very short, you are not lying on it. Older children will find it more difficult to settle in, because the space on board is reduced.

In front of you, the small 100% digital dashboard is surrounded by carbon. Not really readable, it can be configured in different modes. Optionally, it indicates the speed with very small digits, then the revs with slightly larger digits, but still difficult to read. It is also possible to have the speed in the form of a bargraph, in place of the gauge. A witness then informs you of the passage in reserve. Another monitors the oil pressure, while a third signals that the sidestand is unfolded. Neutral, indicators and high beam are also monitored by indicator lights. You can still have the time, as well as 2 trips, and a totalizer. Finally, the maximum speed reached is stored. The whole is compact, failing to have a particular character.

Enough quibbling. We start?

Contact

By pressing the starter, you feel that a powerful physical phenomenon occurs, as if the strong current flowing through the wires was going up to you. Despite the presence of decompressors, it takes juice for the enormous V2 to snort. The muffled noise immediately puts you in the mood. We are far from the muffled sound of large Japanese customs of equivalent displacement, for example. It must be said that the dB killer of the Devil silencer seems to have been a little forgotten … Not sure that all passers-by are informed music lovers. A little more discretion would be welcome.

In the city

Let’s skip the first one. There you have to pull hard on the hydraulically controlled clutch lever. Despite the Beringer levers fully mounted on bearings, the effort required is really important. Logically, the 16 mkg of torque to pass impose strong springs behind the pressure plate. It feels! The new 9mm diameter master cylinder should improve things significantly.

In town, with the long gear, you will have to keep your hand on it and the owners will strengthen their left arm (it’s good for right-handed people who play tennis). When you let go of the clutch, it’s not the rpm that drops, but the bike that gets in tune with the engine. It tows! The weight is very reasonable, the flexibility of the engine correct, but it gives off a lot of heat. New catalyzed exhausts should lower the engine temperature a bit. They will be available soon.

Another small flaw, the mirrors which do not allow a good view of what is going on behind. They too are there symbolically. Obviously, what we ask them above all … is that they do not see each other. Good the helmet box, the housing for the U were not planned either. The Avinton is more intended to be exposed on the terrace of the cafes, than to circulate in the city itself. We suspected!

Departmental

Light, agile, coupleuse, the Avinton race finds here a ground which suits it much better. The suspensions work well, but the thin saddle makes you regret not having been able to try the optional "comfort" saddle. Also optional, the rear brake, not really effective, but rest assured, the engine brake takes over. Here the powerful breath of the engine begins to be able to express itself. No need to pull the gears, it pulls you manly out of the bends and catapults you into the next one, where you throw yourself while keeping a small reserve all the same due to the inertia of the engine. While light, the bike needs to be tamed. The enormous crankshaft induces a solid gyroscopic effect with which to deal. Once you have assimilated this "detail", you gain confidence. The behavior of the chassis is healthy and rigorous. But riding an Avinton is not as instinctive as riding a Honda. The behavior is not sanitized, on the contrary, it is very manly, and to get the best out of it, it is better to dominate your subject.

National

When the horizon clears up, we finally find the necessary space to turn the handle wide. There it is the shock. The flaps of the Vortec located on the false tank free access to the air box and the sound atmosphere is even more present. The engine propels you to shameful speeds, with the sound of a heavy bomber.

No need to pull the reports beyond 3,500 rpm, it’s even already a lot. The Dantesque torque is omnipresent, even if its maximum is announced at 4,250 rpm. In fact we quickly pass 5th and we play more with the throttle than the selector. Think that at 90 km / h we evolve at 1900 rpm according to the indications of the moderately readable dashboard. 200 km / h are therefore reached at 4200 rpm, i.e. the maximum torque speed. it pulls long, very long even, but the engine takes the immense gear. At the maximum power speed announced at 5750 rpm we would be at more than 270 km / h meter! We can imagine the sensations with a shorter gear! The hand of a giant pushes you behind your back or it can also be the foot of the said giant which kicks your lower back. In any case, it moves! We arrive very quickly in the bends and here again caution is required, you need time to take your marks, to tame the beast that lies dormant in her and in you! The handling / stability compromise is correct, but not foolproof. The rigidity is good, but the very crisp geometry does not make this bike a rail on bumps. Improvisation on an unknown road requires a good mastery of its piloting. The hyper pro steering damper that fitted our test bike had a beneficial effect in this area..

Expressways and motorways

This type of route is not his favorite terrain. With your nose in the counters, firmly on the bike in the speed-seeking position, you won’t suffer too much from the wind, but it is only for fleeting pleasure. The very long gear ratio contributes to good mechanical reliability. At 130 the engine purrs at 2750 rpm … you will tire well before it does! Its consumption also benefits from the low rotation speed. This is good for autonomy, because the tank located under the saddle contains only 13litres, which may not seem like much, but according to the manufacturer, the average consumption would be only 5.4litres / 100

Brakes

In a bias of lightness and simplicity, the Avinton uses only a single 340 mm front disc clamped by a 6 piston AJP caliper on the basic version.

Our test bike was fitted with the option of master cylinder and 6-piston Beringer radial-mount caliper + 320 mm aeronal disc. The quality and sensitivity of braking gain there. At high speed, we still dream of a double disc (also offered as an option) as the creature quickly tumbles on the bends. Sure that in purely sporty driving a single disc would be fair, but the object of Avinton is not there. It is better to “spin the English way”, in a rolled up style without hopping on the brakes.

Practical aspects

Let’s start with its price: € 33,500 in its basic version. The price of the French exception. Assembled by hand, the Avinton is a luxury item, it should not be forgotten. She doesn’t look for numbers, but prefers quality. Those who do not have the means to pay it in cash will be able to take a loan of 350 € over 100 months, without contribution.

Strict single-seater, without any storage space, the Avinton is not a practical motorcycle. Note, however, that the simplicity of its design (fueled by carburettor, 2-valve tumbled engine) allows easy maintenance yourself, which, taking into account the mode of distribution, can prove to be interesting. It is not either a motorcycle to “eat miles” … but rather rear tires given the torque available! Note also that the big Ceriani fork is provided with adjustments, but that the rear shock absorber does not have them. Its welded steel yoke fits quite badly with a motorcycle of this price, but that does not prevent it from working very well, thanks to a well studied calibration. In the near future, it will be replaced by a “hyperpro” model, more in line with the standing of the machine. The same hyperpro which also provides the steering damper … optional. Last small practical detail, the air filter being in the false tank, the refueling is done in the seat backrest.

Three versions are available, which are differentiated simply by the height of the handlebars. The breed we tested has the handlebars bracelets under the triple trees. The GT has them on top. As for the roadster, it is equipped with a wider straight handlebars, and therefore different triple trees. It is he who offers the most relaxed position. Finally, for a few dollars more, you can have a machine on demand … The limit is almost only that of your wallet.

Conclusion

Question seduction, L’Avinton makes tons. It is the counterpart of the American "muscle car" and as such, it does not have the smooth behavior of modern motorcycles. It is a unique mechanism, alive, full of charm. Some enlightened amateurs – and fortunate ones – will fall for its incredible plastic and the character of its engine. Timeless, it is already a collector, as its name suggests. Completely out of time, but not anachronistic, it also evokes the immutable Morgan cars. Definitely the references of this extraordinary motorcycle are more to be found in the luxury automobile … and it is precisely this type of clientele that it aims to seduce!

Strong points

• exceptional motorcycle
• aesthetic
• personality
• motor character
• reduced template
• made in France

Weak points

• Exceptional rate
• Comfort
• Clutch control hard
• Mirrors little or no efficiency
• Noisy exhaust
• Heat released by the engine

The Avinton Collector Race data sheet

Reviews in the Avinton biker test

Manufacture

The term is unequivocal, it means handmade. There is no doubt about it, the Avinton is assembled individually in the small workshop in Sommières (Gard). Frame, swingarm, carbon trim, machined parts, exhaust, Beringer brakes, a total of 154 parts are made in France. The S&S engine comes from the United States of course and many components (wheels, suspensions, accessories) come from Europe.

Production started smoothly, but the ambitions are reasonable: 50 motorcycles the first year and 100 at full speed, within 3 years. As an indication, 19 Wakan had been sold at the time of Joel Domergue, with much less communication efforts. Marketing is done directly by the factory, which can also provide maintenance, either on site or at home. A network of “ambassadors” passionate about motorcycles (renowned old machine restorers, etc.) will also be able to ensure maintenance. It is in the process of being set up.

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