2wd motorbikes

**onearmedbandit** · 7th November 2006, 16:37

Whats 'racking' got to do with it?

**SixPackBack** · 7th November 2006, 16:46

The most fundamental reason all wheel drive is superior is because of torque split, I.E twice as much area to drive through, resulting in half as much power transfered.

**Kickaha** · 7th November 2006, 16:59

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

They don't allow a lot of nice things in F1, like 6-wheelers after that was trialled by one team for a year or so

3 teams did it, Tyrell has the most well known car of them

**Motu** · 7th November 2006, 17:03

The Ohlins system is not a 50/50 split or anything like it,it was developed for off road use and only put power to the front wheels when the rear lost traction....I'm not sure how they did it with the R1.I'd be really keen to try it out on any surface - imagine being able to point your front wheel and have the front wheel pull you there.As I said,massive understeer,but it would be controlable.....and by how much....ooooo,I'd love to find out.

**Ixion** · 7th November 2006, 17:11

Well, in one respect two wheel drive motorcycles are old hat. BMW did them, so did Zundapp and Ural, maybe others.

You could probably do it quite easily wih a BMW type front suspension (or an Earles fork), and hub centre steering.

Dunno that I'd trust hydraulic drives though.

**Mental Trousers** · 7th November 2006, 17:17

Using hydraulics has lots of associated problems. Think of the annoying things that happen to brake systems (racing in particular) that come about because of heat, moisture etc. Also the problems with sealing etc, not to mention the weight.

Early versions of the Yamaha/Ohlins hydraulic front wheel drive system suffered from uneven drive when the handle bars were turned or the suspension was compressed. The hoses caused resistance in the steering and the entire system added quite a lot to the unsprung weight.

There's been almost as many front wheel drive systems as there has been funny front end suspension systems. The main problems have been complexity, weight and cost.