Why didnn't they place the engine at the rear wheel axle? It would reduce unwanted inertia during turning, and of course, eliminate the threat of power-understeering the bike and thus falling over....
@TNQTV Must have been a hand full on a bumpy road with all that unsprung weight and huge gyroscopic effect of heavy front wheel would make it reluctant to change direction. All that and you get to breath fumes till you pass out.
@douro20 I do not mean that the bike is without springs or suspension for the rider. I am referring to the weight of the motor and wheel which is described as unsprung weight because it is not supported by those springs. On a modern motorcycle those parts would include the wheels and tires, brake calipers, pads and rotors, axles, the rear sprocket, part of the fork, maybe the fender and any part that does not move in relation to one of the wheels. Less unsprung weight is better for handling.
But what I am interested to see is how the beginning of a ride from the stand looks like in reality. When front wheel hits the ground, the bike suppose to shot like a bullet from under the driver. So far haven't seen any video showing actual beginning of driving...
What's the car in the background?
michaelXXLF 4 months ago
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Why didnn't they place the engine at the rear wheel axle? It would reduce unwanted inertia during turning, and of course, eliminate the threat of power-understeering the bike and thus falling over....
jockeleu 7 months ago
Arguably the most unorthodox motorcycle ever offered for commercial sale. Apparently the bike could be started by kicking the front spokes.
asd36f 9 months ago
@TNQTV Must have been a hand full on a bumpy road with all that unsprung weight and huge gyroscopic effect of heavy front wheel would make it reluctant to change direction. All that and you get to breath fumes till you pass out.
calineophyte 11 months ago
@calineophyte
It is not unsprung. There are leaf springs on the front and rear. The bike wouldn't be stable without them.
douro20 8 months ago
@douro20 I do not mean that the bike is without springs or suspension for the rider. I am referring to the weight of the motor and wheel which is described as unsprung weight because it is not supported by those springs. On a modern motorcycle those parts would include the wheels and tires, brake calipers, pads and rotors, axles, the rear sprocket, part of the fork, maybe the fender and any part that does not move in relation to one of the wheels. Less unsprung weight is better for handling.
calineophyte 8 months ago
How to stop? Easy - just stop the engine.
But what I am interested to see is how the beginning of a ride from the stand looks like in reality. When front wheel hits the ground, the bike suppose to shot like a bullet from under the driver. So far haven't seen any video showing actual beginning of driving...
finnspotter 1 year ago
They should have put the motor in the back wheel, and used a disc front brake! :-)
stopglobalswarming 1 year ago
I want to build a modern bike with a radial engine mounted in a 360 tire.
KenMacMillan 1 year ago
how does one stop? Are supposed to put the front wheel up on the stand everytime?
stormvorm 1 year ago
@stormvorm
You have to kill the engine and apply the front brake. Anyway this was one of the first German motorcycles made in large numbers.
douro20 8 months ago
@stormvorm
Sorry I meant to say "the brake"...as this has only one brake...in the rear.
douro20 8 months ago