Saxon 1600 BLACKLORD 2008 — Specifications

When Saxon decides to play the card of total darkness, the result is called the BlackLord. No chrome, no flashy shine: the tubular double cradle frame, the tank, the fenders, everything goes matte black, including the elements that other brands leave gleaming to seduce customers. It’s a radical, almost provocative aesthetic choice, which asserts a visual identity where many customs play the decorative bidding war.

Underneath this dark attire, Saxon has assembled a 45-degree V-twin engine with a displacement of 1566 cc, delivering 85 horsepower at 5000 rpm and, above all, 117.7 Nm of torque from 3000 rpm. This early torque is the soul of the machine: you’re not here to ride in the rev range, you’re here to feel the low-end push, typical of large-stroke V-twins. A bore of 92.1 mm for a stroke of 117.5 mm says it clearly. Belt drive and a six-speed gearbox complete a package designed to ride fast without fuss, with a top speed announced at 160 km/h. The mechanics are not revolutionary on paper, but they know what they do.

The silhouette, however, is frankly extreme. More than 2.70 meters in length, a wheelbase exceeding 2 meters: the BlackLord stretches like a purebred American chopper. Saxon borrowed the tank from its Crown model, a version intended for the American market, which visually enhances the whole and accentuates this very assumed hot rod profile. One obviously thinks of large-displacement American customs, and the comparison is not flattering to everyone. At 294 kg fully fueled, the beast demands respect when stopped, but this weight is a constant in this category.

What distinguishes the BlackLord from its range cousins is its status as a numbered and signed limited series. At 32,500 euros, we are clearly not targeting the weekend rider looking for versatility. It is a collector's motorcycle as much as a rider's, intended for those who want something their neighbor doesn't have. Brembo braking at both wheels reassures on the safety aspect, and the suspension with 41 mm telehydraulic forks at the front ensures a minimum of comfort on open roads. Saxon insists on the riding balance and comfort despite the imposing proportions, which is credible as long as you stay on roads adapted to such a size.

The BlackLord is not for lovers of urban suppleness or enthusiasts of Pyrenean passes. It is a highway motorcycle, of assumed poses and kilometers swallowed without haste. Its main drawback remains its price, which places it in a very narrow niche, facing established American motorcycles with a network and a culture that Saxon still struggles to rival. But for those who want to get off the beaten track of the classic custom, it at least has the merit of looking like nothing else.