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Motorcycle with front wheel drive
Today, all-wheel drive motos no longer surprise anyone. Nevertheless, it is worth studying some of their representatives. Rear wheel drive iron horses dominate the planet. This statistical feature is obviously very slow to change.
As a result, we are constantly excited about the arrival of the next two-wheeler with front-wheel drive.
A particularly urgent need for front-wheel drive motorcycles is felt by rally-type riders. After all, motocross could not only be diversified, but also made faster. Unfortunately, the current technologies for the mass creation of sports steel horses do not allow this.
You should not be upset, the first prototypes of motorcycles with front wheel drive have already managed to try themselves on the primer and beyond. Soon you will not surprise anyone with all-wheel drive iron horses.
Interesting front-wheel drive motorcycles
Front-wheel drive bikes were the result of a belated spread of automotive trends in motorcycle racing. The very first samples of such steel horses were produced in Japan (manufacturer "Yamaha") and Europe (brand "KTM"). Motos with a drive made according to Swedish technology from the Olins company are most famous. The most important design feature of this type of equipment was the presence of a mechanism capable of transmitting engine torque to the front wheel with the help of good hydraulics. Such an addition transfers only a fifth of the engine power to the front.
The manufacturer "Christini" from the USA worked very fruitfully in creating a front-wheel drive bike. The company has developed an absolutely unique motorcycle scheme with front-wheel drive, as well as rear-wheel drive. Its feature is the absence of hydraulics. The mechanical power transmission of the engine to the wheels is carried out using various chains, as well as rods. The main drawback of such know-how lies in the weight of the "gadgets". They significantly increase the overall weight of the bike. The front wheel of such an all-wheel drive moto is capable of receiving almost 50% of the power of the power unit of a steel horse. The above brainchild of motor engineering costs much more than classic enduros, reaching a figure of about 6 thousand US dollars. As you can see, not all lovers of two-wheeled SUVs can buy such a device.
The idea of creating an all-wheel drive motorcycle has been troubling the minds of engineers around the world since the very first motorcycle appeared. History has seen many different designs, including front-wheel drive, but few have reached serial production.
Why? Experienced pilots don’t need a front-wheel drive in principle - the whole school of enduro riding is built around rear-wheel drive, and in racing, additional components that reduce overall reliability and increase weight have not taken root. Please note that even in the standings of Dakar cars, from time to time, not all-wheel drive, but rear-wheel drive buggies, win.
But if you don’t have sports ambitions, and you want to climb on a motorcycle where not every ATV will get, then all-wheel drive can be a good solution. The disadvantages of any all-wheel drive ATV - a complex design, high unsprung masses, and, as a rule, a modest front suspension travel, put an end to high speeds, but not everyone needs them, especially if the goal is just to get there or have fun.
Domestic motorcycle "Baksan" during an expedition to Mount Elbrus. Photo - Sergey Gruzdev
There are many implementations of the idea of an all-wheel drive transmission for a motorcycle in the world, one way or another trying to overcome the main disadvantages inherent in such a design, but we will first of all consider serial all-wheel drive vehicles that you can buy today. However, the most interesting piece vehicles with a 2x2 wheel formula are still worth mentioning.
For example, in Russia, the Ural all-wheel drive motorcycle is very popular. Serially "Urals" with all-wheel drive are not produced, limited only to additional drive to the sidecar wheel. But craftsmen make all-wheel drive "Urals" on their own: they deploy the rear axle gearbox and mount it on the fork, connect it to an automobile CV joint and a gearbox that takes power from the rear wheel cardan coupling through a chain.
The classic scheme for the implementation of all-wheel drive on a motorcycle "Ural". Photo - Nemoy
Less often, homemade products are also built from simpler chain-driven devices. Implementing a 2x2 transmission on such motorcycles is more difficult - you have to install an additional drive star, drag the second drive chain through the entire bike, select a suitable angular gearbox, install a CV joint and another gearbox, and then transfer the moment to the front wheel with a separate chain. In addition, it is necessary to invent a new fork, as a rule, of a parallelogram type, because a telescopic one with a chain drive cannot work.
The most striking example of such a self-built all-wheel drive motorcycle is Baksan, which climbed to the top of Elbrus in 2003.
Homemade four-wheel drive motorcycle "Baksan" with a chain drive and a parallelogram fork th in
Western engineers go further and try to experiment with the type of drive, for example, using designs where a telescopic fork is paired with a variable length cardan. A similar all-wheel drive scheme is also used on serial motorcycles, but we will talk about them below, but for now - a photo of one of the most famous all-wheel drive, albeit built by customizers.
Four-wheel drive on this bike is implemented by means of a cardan that changes length following the fork travel. Photo - Rev "it
Speaking of customizers, one cannot fail to mention the Wunderlich company, which specializes in the manufacture of tuning and accessories for motorcycles. For the EICMA 2015 exhibition, the manufacturer has prepared an all-wheel drive version of the touring enduro, equipping it with a hybrid power plant that combines a 125-horsepower petrol boxer and a 10 kW wheel motor with reverse gear.
The all-wheel drive BMW story was continued on April 1, 2017, when representatives of the Bavarian brand issued a statement about serial production of the R1200GS xDrive Hybrid, which, however, turned out to be a joke.
The Wunderlich R1200GS Hybrid offers an alternative solution to the issue of all-wheel drive on a motorcycle. Photo - Wunderlich
In addition to the relatively common designs described above, there are also quite crazy solutions, for example, the Australian Drysdale Dryvetech 2 × 2 × 2. This is not a mistake, there are really three deuces in the name: in addition to all-wheel drive, the device also has both turning wheels. This design was made possible by the fact that this four-wheel drive motorcycle has no universal joints or chains at all, only hoses through which a hydraulic pump drives fluid, setting the wheels in motion. The steering is handled the same way.
As for serial all-wheel drive bikes, 2x2 motorcycles are built in Europe and the USA, and in Russia there are several manufacturers at once. The first mass-produced all-wheel drive motorcycle was the American Rokon, which entered the assembly line in the late 60s and is still in demand all over the world to this day. The front-wheel drive chain and 208cc engine do not contribute to speed records, but, unlike the others, the top version of the Rokon is equipped with unique wheels.
1973 Rokon Trail Breaker with unique rims. Photo - Antiquemotorcycle
Yes, they are not installed on all versions, but only on the top-end Rokon Trail-Breaker, but not a single competitor has such a feature: rims are part-time canisters into which you can pour fuel. Or, in case they are empty - with floats, thanks to which the motorcycle has a good reserve of buoyancy, and, if necessary, can swim across the river. Such a device is not cheap - more than 450 thousand rubles, but it's worth it. The same Rokon offers simpler versions, for example, a Ranger model with a 160 cc engine can be bought for 435,000 rubles.
A modern modification of the Rokon Trail-Breaker all-terrain vehicle. Photo - Cycleworld
Another serial all-wheel drive motorcycle that became a true legend during its lifetime is the Yamaha WR450F 2-Trac. The bike, which was released in 2004, was predicted by journalists to have a great future and called it almost a revolution in the world of two-wheeled vehicles, but, alas, the novelty did not take root. The nails in the coffin of the all-wheel drive enduro were driven both by the high price, almost twice the cost of the rear-wheel drive counterpart (2-Trac was not officially supplied to Russia, but enthusiasts themselves brought the vehicles from Europe for a fabulous 16,000 €), and the policy of the Japanese manufacturer that released the revolutionary motorcycle limited edition. However, there is still a theoretical possibility to buy this model.
Yamaha WR450F 2-Trac - a fairy tale come true
From an engineering point of view, the Yamaha WR450F 2-Trac was and remains an outstanding representative of its class: while the rear wheel was driven through a chain, torque was transmitted to the front wheel hydraulically. And although the transmission of the motorcycle was not fully all-wheel drive, but, as is fashionable on modern cars, automatically connected when the rear wheel slipped, those 15% of the torque that it applied to the front wheel delighted everyone who was lucky enough to ride this beast.
Front wheel drive connects Yamaha 2-Trac connects when rear wheel slips
The all-terrain vehicle is made extremely simply and reliably: there are no suspensions, the engine is from a generator, two gears, and the only disc brake is installed not on the wheels, but on the transmission. But in the most naked configuration, the Tarusa costs only 115,000 rubles, and in the top-end one, with a Honda engine, a headlight and an electric starter, 140,000 rubles. And it does not matter that in view of the lack of a TCP, such a motorcycle cannot be driven on the roads, but it can be quickly disassembled and put in the trunk of a station wagon.
Domestic manufacturer offers a good alternative to "Rokon" for sane money
The company also produces all-wheel drive motorcycles.
All-wheel drive motorcycles are perfect for outdoor activities and sports. At the beginning of the last century, this is 1924, the first motorcycle with all-wheel drive on two wheels was created by British manufacturers. For a very long time, this motorcycle was the only one.
In the middle of the last century, the American company Rokon created its all-wheel drive motorcycle, which the developers called a motor tractor. The unique motorcycle is still very popular among outdoor enthusiasts today. And for the needs of the army it is used.
On a Rokon motorcycle, the drive to the front wheel is made by two chains. The rear wheel is driven by a chain. The bike has no suspension at all. Ensuring low pressure with dutik tires on the ground makes it possible for the motorcycle to pass any off-road. And the bike goes through mud and sand with ease. The motorcycle weighs very little, about a hundred kilograms. Wide tires, low weight, all-wheel drive allow the motorcycle to easily cope with the most difficult road and pass any off-road obstacles.
What else surprises this motorcycle? Motorcycle rims are sealed drums where water and fuel are stored. Such wheels and very wide tires allow this vehicle to float.
It is impossible to switch gears on the go. You need to select the driving mode in advance, and while driving, use only the gas and brake. If off-road conditions are very difficult, first gear is used. And in order to be able to maneuver, the second is selected. In third gear, you can accelerate the motorcycle to fifty kilometers per hour. This is the highest speed of a motorbike.
At the end of the last century, motorcycle factories abroad began to experiment with all-wheel drive. Suzuki has developed several motorcycle models that have different types of mechanical drives.
Experiments have shown that all of these drives are viable, but the cost was very high for motorcycles with all-wheel drive, because the production of such drives is very expensive, and besides, in difficult off-road areas they were not as reliable as they should be.
On the enduro bike, Suzuki used a different scheme. To drive the front wheel, a telescopic shaft was used, which had two bevel gears. But this scheme had a very complex technology and is quite expensive.
Yamaha used a hydraulic drive that is mounted on the front wheel of the motorcycle. Such a motorcycle had excellent performance in the rally championship. To install such a drive, you do not need to make major changes to the design of the motorcycle itself. It has a small weight and the same small size. Its advantages - the torque is distributed automatically between the wheels, and this does not require additional special devices. Today it is the most efficient all-wheel drive system for two-wheeled vehicles.
Work on improving the all-wheel drive system does not stop. Each manufacturing company tries to find something unique and convenient.
Russian all-terrain motorcycles with all-wheel drive
At the end of winter, an exhibition called Vezdekhod-2014 was held in Russia. At this exhibition, the Russian company Motovezdekhod-2x2 showed its model of an all-wheel drive motorcycle, which it called Tarus.
The idea of all-wheel drive for motorcycles in the west has long been implemented. But in Russia, we don't. Although it is our country that is famous for its epic off-road, and there are all the prerequisites for the production of such motorcycles. But the domestic production of such motorcycles did not offer. The situation has changed only recently.
The appearance of the first Russian all-wheel drive motorcycle is very similar to the American counterpart. These motorcycles all look the same. In the center is the engine, and along the edges are two wheels. And the drive on Russian and American motorcycles is the same. But the Russian version of a motorcycle with all-wheel drive has noticeable differences. If the gearbox on Rokon is on the front fork, then on a domestic car it is on the frame. The drive to the gearbox from the gearbox passes through the shaft. The shaft has a cardan joint. In addition, he was enclosed in a casing.
The solution chosen on Tarusi is much more complicated. And there is a high chance of failure. But the nodes, additionally installed, increase the weight of the motorcycle. The equipment of American motorcycles is richer. But Rokon's weight is 95 kilograms, and Tarusa weighs only 65. The difference is big and important.
The quick-detachable design of the Russian motorcycle will allow it to be disassembled in five minutes if necessary and placed in the trunk of a car. It is very convenient for hunters and fishermen. The maximum speed of Tarusi is about forty kilometers per hour. The engine can be started with a manual starter. But if the buyer wishes, an electric starter can be installed on it. Snow cover with a height of forty-five centimeters is easily overcome by this motorcycle.
All-wheel drive two-wheeled motorcycles have a drive on the rear wheel and on the front. But the army contributed to the creation of sidecar-driven motorcycles.
Motorcycles with a sidecar attract many due to the fact that they can carry small loads. This property of tricycles is indispensable for the inhabitants of our country living in villages where the roads are terrible. These motorcycles are indispensable in the household.
The latest modifications of the Ural three-wheeled motorcycle have significant differences from its other counterparts. These are sidecar motorcycles. In such motorcycles, the sidecar wheel can rotate in the same way as the rear wheel.
These motorcycles have both advantages and disadvantages. The wheel of the side trailer wears out faster and fuel consumption increases. And the motorcyclist must have certain skills when driving. But the main advantage of such a motorcycle outweighs all its disadvantages. The cross-country ability of the motorcycle is so increased that it is almost impossible to get stuck on the road. And the carrying capacity also increases, albeit not by much.
Another Russian motorcycle is equipped with a sidecar drive. This is Dnepr-16. Standard motorcycles will not be able to pass where this motorcycle will pass. The motorcycle engine has a volume of six hundred and fifty cubic meters. Engine power - thirty-two horsepower. The four-wheel drive motorcycle has a lower speed, but the cross-country ability increases much. Dnepr-16 can accelerate to ninety-five kilometers per hour.
On a motorcycle, you can carry cargo weighing up to two hundred and sixty kilograms. The stroller has rubber springs for comfort while riding.
Do you need a motorcycle with all-wheel drive - it's up to you. It depends on your personal needs, where you live and what you want.
