Yamaha Tesseract [+PICS!!!]

[alexthekidd]

And now for something completely different. Yamaha has just announced that it will be bringing a bevy of new motorcycle and scooter models to the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. One of the more interesting concepts, which we'll roughly refer to as a motorcycle, is the Tesseract. Piaggio has a success on their hands in the form of the MP3, which is capable of leaning into turns despite the third wheel. Yamaha has one-upped that with itsTesseract, though, by adding yet one more whee,l bringing the total count to four. And yet, nobody would confuse this machine with a car!

Again, following Piaggio's lead with its impending hybrid MP3, Yamaha has made this concept a hybrid, boasting both a V-Twin engine of undisclosed size along with an electric motor. Yamaha claims that the machine is about the same width as a standard motorcycle, meaning lane-splitting could feasibly remain an option and parking shouldn't be too difficult. The Tesseract has also been equipped with a mechanism to keep the machine upright when stopped or when parked, once again, like the MP3. As for the styling? It's, uh... different! Imagine a Transformer half transformed and you'll be pretty darn close. And we love it!

So Guys whatya think?

[Bren]

Bugger....looks like something outta a sci fi flick....interesting......

[pzkpfw]

So Guys whatya think?

Way cool, but the $ will decide.

[Romeo]

Looks like it would go pretty hard, lot of contact surface area and it looks pretty quick? Doesn't look like the sort of thing that would actually see production though.

[scracha]

Way cool, but the $ will decide.

Does it "lean"? Otherwise I don't see the point in fitting it with motorcycle tyres?

[Conquiztador]

.....And we love it!

Nope, we don't!!

[Quasievil]

Im Thinking tyre costs would double, that kills it for me

[howdamnhard]

Wow,yamaha has invented a Quadbike!:blink:

[breakaway]

Wow,yamaha has invented a Quadbike!:blink:

It's not just any quad bike. Looks all sci fi and shit :blink:

[Forest]

I'd buy it.

[NZsarge]

Meh...it's ok, rather a second hand R1

[RantyDave]

Im Thinking tyre costs would double, that kills it for me
My thoughts exactly. If it's going to have four wheels, you might as well get the other advantages of four wheeliness ... like cheaper tyres. And a more comfortable seat.

KTM have the right idea - http://www.ktm-x-bow.com/

Dave

[idleidolidyll]

WHY?

All the disadvantages of a motorcycle with none of the advantages of a car except the ability to stand up without a sidestand.

Maybe it's a 'bike' for amputees?

I shudder to think what it'd be like in mixed company.

[sAsLEX]

My thoughts exactly. If it's going to have four wheels, you might as well get the other advantages of four wheeliness ... like cheaper tyres. And a more comfortable seat.

KTM have the right idea - http://www.ktm-x-bow.com/

Dave

And you think the KTM would be wearing cheap rubber?

[idleidolidyll]

My thoughts exactly. If it's going to have four wheels, you might as well get the other advantages of four wheeliness ... like cheaper tyres. And a more comfortable seat.

KTM have the right idea - http://www.ktm-x-bow.com/

Dave

The X-Bow; drool!

Now THAT's an exciting vehicle! That and the Ariel Atom

[idleidolidyll]

And you think the KTM would be wearing cheap rubber?

probably not but it'd last maybe 40,000 kilometres on the road (probably more but I'm being conservative).

Even if the tyres were as much a rip off as bike tyres: say $800 a pair, they'd still be about 3x as economical as proddy tyres on my 950.

A clip on roof for me though

[Colapop]

It's a bike with trainer wheels!

"The motorbike you have, that won't fall over"

[idleidolidyll]

Yamaha have even more wierd syuff on the boil.

http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/news/2007/10/05/tms-mc.html

Hmmm, I reckon the Ariel Atom's still a better 4 wheeler at 300kg lighter than the KTM X-Bow and about the same power.

The Yamaha is 'dual fuel' with a petrol and electric motor. I suspect it'd weigh in much the same as the Atom but with less power/torque and I would be really interested to know if the leaning narrow track design out-handles the likes of the Atom (or X-Bow)

Now this is a real bike (chuckle):

http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/news/2007/10/05/img/tms_pic_003.jpg •FC-Dii (Special exhibition model / prototype)
This model is a further evolution of the “FC-me” fuel cell motorcycle using a methanol-water solution as fuel, unveiled in Sept. 2005 with significant performance improvements. This new version is enhanced with new features including: (1) a Yamaha-exclusive compact cell stack that features the highest level of power density in the 1kW class, (2) a detachable lithium-ion battery for easy recharging, (3) modular design components, readily available parts and improved serviceability aimed at achieving practical use and (4) a fuel cell system which achieves a top-level performance of 30% system efficiency for a DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cell) system. The development of this model has been assisted with some funding from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

[deanohit]

Hmmmm, the Yamaha is interesting in the styling, but I'd dump the electric motor and stick with a big twin. Should hold some impressive corner speeds.

[RantyDave]

And you think the KTM would be wearing cheap rubber?
Ahhh, nope. I think I was more hoping to illustrate their flatness and ability to put a large slab of rubber on the road ... being one of the advantages of having four wheels not two.

I don't think the KTM thing does anything cheaply :(

Dave

[idleidolidyll]

Hmmmm, the Yamaha is interesting in the styling, but I'd dump the electric motor and stick with a big twin. Should hold some impressive corner speeds.

Deano, I'm not so sure about that. I'd like to see a comparison between the leaner 4 wheelers and a good lightweight car.

Cars have always had a massive advantage on bikes in cornering but a narrow track leaner with motorcycle size contact patch makes me think it's unlikely to offer much more than curiosity.

[sAsLEX]

Deano, I'm not so sure about that. I'd like to see a comparison between the leaner 4 wheelers and a good lightweight car.

Cars have always had a massive advantage on bikes in cornering but a narrow track leaner with motorcycle size contact patch makes me think it's unlikely to offer much more than curiosity.


And compared to say Rossi et al leaning the 4 wheel business will place the CoM higher reducing the ability to turn even more!

[MSTRS]

I'd tap that.
In fact, I'd double tap it....with wadcutters
:sick:

[breakaway]

I'd tap that.
In fact, I'd double tap it....with wadcutters
:sick:

Haha reminds me of this pic

[H00dz]

Heres 3 reason why I like it

1st its a Yamaha
2nd it looks friggin wicked
and 3rd its Still a Yamaha !!!