4 wheels - still a bike?

[smoky]

http://www.4-mc.co.uk/

A friend of mine in the UK is developing this, he's had a lot of interest in it
what do you think


Let me know if you can't play the video clip, I don't seem to be able too, feedback would be appreciated

[disenfranchised]

Interesting...but what benefits would it have over the Piaggio MP3....the front end movement looks pretty similar, and the 3 wheeled design must be simpler and cheaper to manufacture.

I would consider that the design has more benefit being scaled out (wider) and being used in future car prototypes.
The leaning movement should allow for higher levels of grip with smaller tyres, which would result in less road friction and better fuel economy.

[vifferman]

Hmmmmmmmmm......
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

I dunno about this.
It seems to be a motorcycle for non-motorcyclists: it looks and behaves kinda like a motorcycle, but it's safer, less threatening, easier to ride.
Isn't that what a scooter or car are for? :confused:

[UberRhys]

Looks like the perfect choice for Nana's and Grandpa's who have been left to get around in one of those mobility scooters. :scooter:

Mind you some of those Nana's out there drive them like bulldozers :angry2: so maybe that wouldn't be such a good idea... :Oops:

[smoky]

It seems to be a motorcycle for non-motorcyclists: it looks and behaves kinda like a motorcycle, but it's safer, less threatening, easier to ride.
Isn't that what a scooter or car are for? :confused:

Thats the market it's aimed at, think about London and it's traffic, parking issues, congestion charges - people want to get on a bike but don't like the idea of falling off one

[smoky]

Interesting...but what benefits would it have over the Piaggio MP3....the front end movement looks pretty similar

Something about the hydraulic suspension, and the way it increases the 'footprint' as you corner - better stability, and each wheel reacts independant in the suspension with out effecting the other wheel; the MP3 uses tie rod set up to link the two front wheels, not as good (apparently). Much the same as the Dodge Thomahawk - but it was too top heavy to right it's self.
This also gives the rider more options in a corner with things like throttle balance and body position, also at open road speeds you still employ the physics of counter steering which I understand the MP3 doesn't respond to.

Not that I'm an expert though

[oldrider]

Anything new is interesting.

Once they get out into the market the real value and application is found by those who have specific needs.

It's amazing what people do with things, look at the way the (4 wheel) farm bikes have developed.

But are four wheelers really motorbikes? :confused: John.

[smoky]

Has anyone been able to play the video clip yet?

[phoenixgtr]

It played for me. Was a bit jumpy but it played

[vifferman]

It played fine for me - just had to pause it for a while to let it buffer the clip.
A bit short on action though - no wheelies, smokies, or other stunts, and the rider didn't bin it.

[UberRhys]

Has anyone been able to play the video clip yet?

Yeah played for me, was a bit slow to download but got there in the end.

[Dave Lobster]

Thats the market it's aimed at, think about London and its traffic, parking issues, congestion charges - people want to get on a bike but don't like the idea of falling off one


But.. as it isn't a bike, it'll still attract the congestion charge.

And, if you're enough of a puff that you wont get on a bike to get through the traffic, one of these wont help you.

Looks like fun though.

[3umph]

interesting design and suspension and lean dynamics... would be interesting to have a ride on

[smoky]

But.. as it isn't a bike, it'll still attract the congestion charge.

No, it is going to be exempt from the congestion charge, and can be registered as a bike which is cheaper in the UK, but you don't need a bike license to ride it - Nick has all the information confirmed in writing. Good move ah


And, if you're enough of a puff that you wont get on a bike to get through the traffic, one of these wont help you.

people buy those cheap chinese bikes don't they, and those mini choppa shit toys to ride around on don't they?

[smoky]

interesting design and suspension and lean dynamics... would be interesting to have a ride on

he's going to take it to an ice skating ring to test its stability and ability at cornering on ice - sounds like fun
:banana:

[3umph]

he's going to take it to an ice skating ring to test its stability and ability at cornering on ice - sounds like fun
:banana:

sure does will be interesting to see the vid:2thumbsup

[Dave Lobster]

people buy those cheap chinese bikes don't they, and those mini choppa shit toys to ride around on don't they?

Because they're cheap. Something like this wont be cheap.. MP3, anyone?

Don't get me wrong.. I'm not knocking it. I just wonder who is going to buy it.

[smoky]

Don't get me wrong.. I'm not knocking it. I just wonder who is going to buy it.

Anyone who wants to get around London in rain and frost without falling off their scooter would think about it
Scooters sales are enormous in other countries because of congestion and fuel prices - not because people are looking for the biker experience

Imagine if you could jump on a 400cc with only a car license - got to be attractive to some people I would think

[smoky]

Interesting...but what benefits would it have over the Piaggio MP3....the front end movement looks pretty similar, and the 3 wheeled design must be simpler and cheaper to manufacture.

The 4MC has many advantages over the Piaggio MP3. These advantages are; the 4MC uses leading and trailing suspension arms whereas the MP3 uses something akin to wishbones at the front. This difference means that the 4MC does not need a separate chassis because its leading and trailing suspension arms can bolt directly to its engine/transmission unit, so the 4MC can be a lot lighter than the MP3. For instance a 400cc 4MC could weigh less than 200kg (440lbs) whereas the Piaggio MP3 400cc weighs 262kg (574lds)which is colossal.
Therefore, for a given power output the 4MC will have substantial acceleration, braking, fuel consumption, tyre wear, and manoeuvrability, advantages over the MP3.
Furthermore, the 4MC's leading and trailing suspension arms permits the 4MC's suspension components to be positioned horizontally, and the absence of a separate chassis all add up to a lower center of gravity than the MP3. The advantage of a low centre of gravity is increased stability and easier manoeuvrability.
The 4MC's suspension dampers can also be used as a suspension brake for travelling slowly without wobbling and for parking.

The 4MC's suspension arms causes the 4MC's track to widen as it leans which increases stability. For instance, when upright the 4MC has a track of 460mm but when leaning at 30 degrees the 4MC's track
widens to 530mm. This is not possible with the MP3. Thereby the MP3 cannot generate any additional stability when it leans.
Practical example, I, at 224lbs, can ride the 4MC prototype in a straight line at full lean on level ground without falling over. I can also ride the 4MC prototype at full lean going around a bend the wrong way, it feels weired but it is an indication of the amount of stability the 4MC can generate. By comparison the MP3 can hardly stay on its wheels at full lean even without a rider, and there would be absolutely no chance with a rider.
The 4MC's 580mm width allows it to get through gaps in traffic that are too narrow for the huge 750mm wide 250cc & 400cc MP3.

The 4MC's absence of a separate chassis and separate suspension brake means that production costs are also minimised.
The 4MC can be ridden with a car license or bike license but the MP3 can only be ridden with a bike license (this applies to Europe)

[smoky]

Some new vids of it on a skid pad - if anyones interested

http://www.4-mc.co.uk/index.html

[EJK]

It looks fun

[Laxi]

interesting concept, seems like a bloody good idea but would be interesting to see how it handles when theres more powerful version built, skid pad kinda looked like my kids knocking about on their 50cc pit bike, if it handles like that at 100+ ill order 1 now. i like the lane splitting vid though, you could split with a canam spider through that gap, good luck finding a gap like that here yet alone in london

[LBD]

4 wheels - still a bike?


no