French muscle bikes return to production VINTON may not be an established name in the V-twin industry, but there is a history behind the company. Back in 2006 in France a motorcycle manufacturing business was formed under the name Wakan. The plan was a simple one, to build no-compromise, V-twin-powered muscle bikes inspired by the cars built by Caroll Shelby in the US in the ‘60s. Unfortunately, a downturn in the market and a lack of potential investors meant that the project looked set to fail. Now, however, the bikes are back in production, and this time it is under the Avinton name. The return of the French muscle bikes is down to Cédric Klein, who in 2011 was able to obtain the plans and patents for the original designs and develop them into the three models (or as Avinton refers to ‘them riding styles’) that make up the current range; Roadster, GT and Race. nce Klein, a French manufacturer specialized in developing innovative thermodynamic systems, had disposed of his existing businesses and taken control of Wakan, he set to work putting together a team that would become Avinton. He, like the rest of his team, is an ardent admirer of the AC Cobra cars from Shelby, and wanted to take that design philosophy and apply it to British style cafe racers, just like Shelby had with British sports cars, in effect creating a reinterpretation of Shelby’s Cobra, but on two wheels rather than four. Now based in a workshop in Sommières, near Montpellier, in the south of France, the Avinton team is made up of five people who handbuild the machines across six work stations with a maximum production output of 300 bikes a year, and a permanent stock of around 40
A
O
completed motorcycles. alking about the introduction of Avinton motorcycles, Klein says: “We’re not here to sell motorcycles, we’re here to create the motorcycle that will correspond to all of the future owners’ hopes and desires. Take for example the riding position. Each muscle bike is adapted to the morphology of its owner and the three points of contact (handlebar height, seat height and footpeg position) that they have with their machine. These physical considerations are then taken into account along with the buyer’s riding style and his or her tastes as far as image is concerned.” When a potential buyer decides to purchase an Avinton, the first decision is which model, or riding style, and then each of the three styles has a choice of six finishes, which can be applied to them; Collector, Vintage, Deluxe, Grand Sport, Super Snake, and
T
Cult. Further choices also include paint and engine finishes and an extensive list of optional fittings and accessories. he Avinton range starts with the Roadster, which Klein describes as “Definitely the most adaptable and comfortable to ride. The handlebars and rake are specifically adapted to its large steering radius, making the Roadster the bike the most adapted to daily use, out in the countryside or in downtown traffic jammed areas. Strong in character, agile, and a true muscle bike, the Roadster allows its rider to enjoy each and every ride, no matter what the setting.” Drawing more on cafe racer influences, the GT has its handlebars at an intermediate level; 5cm higher than those of the Race and 5cm lower than those of the Roadster. This change is said to offer a riding position which is half way between sport and comfort.
T
“This is the definition of a muscle bike in all of its splendor and audaciousness,“ says Klein of the final model – the Race. With this model the
Cédric Klein obtained the rights to the plans and patents for the original Wakan motorcycle in 2011, and has now reworked and relaunched them under the Avinton brand
The current Avinton range is made up of (left to right) the Race, GT, and Roadster models
12
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - OCTOBER 2013
www.AMDchampionship.com