Radial Engine Motorcycles.

Message

flynrider · Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:24 pm

Wow! That bike is just too cool. If you're going to mount a radial rotary on a bike, they picked the perfect place for it. Right on the wheel.

At first glance, I noticed the smooth lines and wondered where the engine was

I can see why it made the exhibit at the Guggenheim.

black mariah · Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:50 pm

flynrider wrote:Wow! That bike is just too cool. If you're going to mount a radial rotary on a bike, they picked the perfect place for it. Right on the wheel.

At first glance, I noticed the smooth lines and wondered where the engine was

I can see why it made the exhibit at the Guggenheim.

There was someone a few years back that was going to build a Land Speed Record car with four rotary style engines mounted to the wheels of a car like that. Dunno what happened with that.

It looks cool as hell and sounds like a good idea, until you remember that unsprung weight is bad and rotating mass is worse.

Dichotomous · Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:46 am

now why dont they make rotary (wankle) engined motorcycles? I can just imagine how powerfull and nice those would be

TechTMW · #14 Unread post by **TechTMW** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 5:48 am

They did - Most notable were the Norton Commando and the Suzuki RE-5.

I think the inefficient fuel economy turned people off. But to be honest with you not sure about that. People are always scared by new technology - look at the Yamaha GTS1000. Wonderful bike, first w/ fuel injection and a host of other features like the omega frame chassis, but people were just afraid of it.

black mariah · Fri Jun 30, 2006 9:49 am

TechTMW wrote:People are always scared by new technology

More to the point, people are always scared of being early adopters of new technology, even if it's proven technology adapted for another purpose.

swifty's revenge · Fri Jun 30, 2006 4:05 pm

wow that megola....
a ride for the countersteering non-believer!!!

onlinesmurf · Mon Jul 03, 2006 6:37 am

It looks like an injury waiting to happen. That one with the inline engine really looks painful to the jewels and the other one looks painful to the feet/knees. I would like to see someone stunt in that (just one over the handle bars split wheelie). Imagine Verm trying to do one of his injured rooster leans during a turn. Imagine him leaning a little forward as he does it. Nut cracker with a new meaning. Rotary engines are claimed to lose more power than more common engines as they get older. Not sure if its true but thats what I hear from older Mazdas. Regardless unless there is some real benefit why would they adopt it?