[4DRSS]

Pretty cool technology

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/1/4240/Motorcycle-Article/Yamaha-R1-Ohlins-2WD-Review.aspx

 

[Sebastian1000]

They have similar set-ups on dirtbikes IIRC. I wonder what it feels like...

 

[timeleft]

this is really interesting, I am curious to see how this plays out. Could have a lot of potential. It must feel so crazy to ride

 

[ducatibrandon]

How does it turn??

 

[Fred-R]

How does it turn??

the front tire is powered by a oil pump that drive a motor in the front wheel

by the way, it's a ohlins fork on that R1

there's the full article on motousa.com

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/269/4240/Motorcycle-Article/Yamaha-R1-Ohlins-2WD-Review.aspx

 

[RDLYN13000]

this is really interesting, i am curious to see how this plays out. Could have a lot of potential. It must feel so crazy to ride

:+1:

 

[lyodbraun]

yeah how will you turn it with a chain there ??? makes no sense guess you will only be able to go in a straight line ?? LOL

 

[badexample]

stupid concept just add more weight and maintenance! It is not an off-road machine lol wtf?

 

[badexample]

yeah how will you turn it with a chain there ??? makes no sense guess you will only be able to go in a straight line ?? LOL

No it is hydraulic...read it lol

 

[Arch Enemy]

IIRC, one of the cycle magazines had a 2wd dirtbike featured a year or so ago (?). I swear it had an overcomplicated chain drive for the front wheel. It was a series of sprockets and chains that were shrouded in plastic. Either that or the drugs from youth are playing with my mind....

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...wd+bike&gbv=2&hl=en&ei=PKqCSvjYJInDtwewy6n2Cg

Ah ha, found it

 

[rocketracermike]

looks weird, but who knows.

 

[ZX10Miami]

IIRC, one of the cycle magazines had a 2wd dirtbike featured a year or so ago (?). I swear it had an overcomplicated chain drive for the front wheel. It was a series of sprockets and chains that were shrouded in plastic. Either that or the drugs from youth are playing with my mind....

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...wd+bike&gbv=2&hl=en&ei=PKqCSvjYJInDtwewy6n2Cg

There are systems out there, I think christini or something, that work kind of like you say. They had/have a drive system that goes through the frame and works kind of like an old school speedometer drive in reverse.
EDIT- yep, christini http://www.christini.com/

Jeep even had a two wheel drive mountain bike with that type of system
http://www.christinibicycles.com/bikes.php

The yamaha hydraulic system is different and can only turn the front wheel when needed as opposed to spinning at constant rate proportional to the rear drive. The christini type is on or off only.

On the yamaha 2wd dirtbikes they were saying that it was pretty invisible until the front wheel lost enough speed/traction to have the system start pulling the bike through with the front tire. As I remember it.

 

[4DRSS]

IIRC, one of the cycle magazines had a 2wd dirtbike featured a year or so ago (?). I swear it had an overcomplicated chain drive for the front wheel. It was a series of sprockets and chains that were shrouded in plastic. Either that or the drugs from youth are playing with my mind....

There have been two wheel drive cycles since the early 60's. Rokon makes them, Trailbreakers. I had one as a kid, pretty cool bikes. They will climb anything.

I never thought I would see this technology make it to street bikes tho.