2001 Norton C 652 Combat

The 2001 Norton C 652 Combat closes out a short-lived, single-cylinder chapter for a brand better known for parallel twins and rotary-engined superbikes. This is a stripped-down, torque-forward naked bike built around a big single, the kind of machine that rewards riders who like feeling an engine work rather than hiding behind fairings and electronics. Around town it's tractable and easy to place, and the low-revving character means you're short-shifting and using midrange grunt rather than chasing redline. It's not a bike built for touring comfort or long highway stints, but for someone who wants a raw, mechanical connection on backroads.

As the final year of production, the 2001 Norton C 652 Combat carried over without significant mechanical changes from the prior year, buyers comparing it to a 2000 example should focus on mileage, service history, and condition rather than spec differences.

This one attracts Norton loyalists and single-cylinder purists more than mainstream naked-bike shoppers, often someone downsizing from a twin or seeking a quirky, low-volume alternative to Japanese standards. Collector interest remains low, so pricing tends to hinge on mechanical condition rather than rarity premiums.