Brixton Motorcycles has entered the Indian market with the launch of four products: the Crossfire 500X (Rs 4.74 lakh), Crossfire 500XC (Rs 5.19 lakh), Cromwell 1200 (Rs 7.84 lakh), and Cromwell 1200X (Rs 9.11 lakh). The Crossfire 500 models are powered by a 486cc twin-cylinder motor, while the Cromwell 1200 duo draw power from a 1,200cc, parallel-twin mill.
- Crossfire 500X is the most affordable Brixton bike in India
- Cromwell 1200 and 1200X are identical under the skin
- Brixton plans to have eight showrooms in India by end-2025
Crossfire 500X
At Rs 4.74 lakh, the Crossfire 500X is the most affordable of the four Brixton bikes in India and has the form factor of a neo-retro roadster. Its sleek lines and minimal bodywork remind us of one of the Husqvarna Vitpilen models. Powering the Crossfire 500X is a liquid-cooled, 486cc, twin-cylinder engine making 47.6hp and 43Nm of torque.
The bike uses all-LED lighting, J.Juan brakes, and adjustable KYB suspension. A radial 4-piston caliper is mated to a 320mm disc at the front and a single-piston unit is mated to a 240mm disc at the rear. Dual-channel ABS comes as standard. While the Crossfire 500X runs on 17-inch wire-spoke wheels, they are, thankfully, able to support tubeless tyres. The tyre sizes are similar to those of the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 at 120/70-ZR17 (front) and 160/60-ZR17 (rear). With its 13.5-litre fuel tank brimmed, it weighs 190kg and has a 795mm seat height.
Crossfire 500XC
The Crossfire 500XC is a scrambler based on the same platform as the Crossfire 500X. The front end of the 500XC is where the bulk of the changes are, with a tall, beaky front fender, a small flyscreen, and a 19-inch front wheel. At 195kg, it is 5kg heavier than the Crossfire 500X and has a significantly taller 839mm perch too. If you like the aesthetic of the Crossfire 500XC, you’ll have to shell out an additional Rs 45,000 on top of the Crossfire 500X, making the price Rs 5.19 lakh.
Cromwell 1200
The Cromwell 1200 is a neo-retro motorcycle that has more than a hint of Triumph Bonneville to its design, and its immediate competitor would be the Bonneville T120 (Rs 11.09 lakh). Powering the Brixton is a liquid-cooled, 1,222cc, twin-cylinder engine producing 83hp and 108Nm of torque.
The Cromwell 1200, despite its retro lines, has quite a few modern features such as all-LED lighting, two riding modes (Sport and Eco), traction control, and cruise control. It also uses a TFT display and an anti-theft system.
Where the smaller Brixton 500 models come with tubeless tyres despite running spoked rims, the Cromwell 1200 uses tubed tyres on its 18/17-inch spoked rims. It has an 800mm seat height, a 16-litre fuel tank, and weighs 235kg ready to ride. At Rs 7.84 lakh, the Cromwell 1200 is the most affordable twin-cylinder bike in India to come with cruise control.
Cromwell 1200X
The Cromwell 1200X is a dressed-up Cromwell 1200 that’s pretending to be a scrambler. The only visual differences are the off-road style block-pattern tyres, a small flyscreen, a tan brown seat, a headlight grille, and different colours. While the visual and mechanical differences are down to a bare minimum between the Brixton 1200 duo, the Cromwell 1200X is priced at Rs 9.11 lakh, a cool Rs 1.27 lakh more than the Cromwell 1200.
Brixton is targeting to expand its footprint in eight cities in India (as part of its Phase One plan) by the end of next year. The cities in question are Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune, Thane, Kolhapur, Goa, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Would you purchase these big bikes from an unknown brand over the equivalent offerings from established Indian, Japanese and European brands? Let us know in the comments section below.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
