2WD MOTORCYCLE OVERVIEW

Two wheel motorcycles can basically be split up two broad groups; those mechanical drive by means of or shafts, and those using drive using pressurised such as the Dryvtech 2x2x2. As any departure from mainstream those bikes based on existing motorcycles seem to be ‘successful’, though the definition of word depends largely on the of the project.

There have a few 2WD designs in recent times have really put 2WD on the map because perform like a conventional but a little better. Who was it in the GP world who The bike that wins year will the bike won last year, plus 5%?

Mechanical two wheel drive are by no means a new idea- the earliest on was a 1924 Raleigh that was to 2WD for trials events. The later FN was actually quite a good with ‘only’ 2 chains to drive the front wheel- the front forks of the day making possible.

Unlike the majority of recent mechanical 2 wheel motorcycles, the FN was reputed to have run a drive to both wheels- easier by bikes of the day running the tyre sizes front and More recent mechanical 2 drives all seem to run a principle in ‘4 wheel assist tractors- that is to gear the wheel(s) 5% slower than the through a ‘sprag clutch’ (a one way This system is becoming well developed mainly it’s relative simplicity for the construction of an experimental bike by a so-called ‘backyard inventor’) the need for a large investment of

In this system the front is ‘pushed’ along in the normal when the rear tyre is full traction and then the wheel drives ‘fully’ 5% slower) when the rear achieves 5% slip. It seems has a more natural feel for than more complex drives with torque and viscous couplings as used in cars. This improved is apparent not only under but also under braking the rider can still steer the by dragging the rear brake into a corner as with a 1 drive- this doesn’t the front wheel rotation at

Hydraulic drive (and for that matter) is less the only known example to use hydrostatic drive to both other than the Dryvtech was an Suzuki concept bike the Falcorustyco in the mid 80’s, though it is not whether this was a working or whether it was merely a mock-up for the Tokyo motorshow. More there have also several ‘hydraulic assist’ where a standard chain the rear wheel and a low powered system drives the front, up to and the 1998 Öhlins enduro

All these systems have advantages and drawbacks, mechanical have at least three chains (usually more)- we all how fun they are to lube, adjust and Mechanical systems also limitations on steering lock, hassles and front suspension problems, while the hydraulic is undoubtedly expensive and heavy using industrial components.

The drive bike also be pushed around with the stopped without a bypass between the pump and motor/s. a sprag clutch equipped 2 drive is also difficult to backwards- but for different reasons to the drive. Basically the sprag ‘engages’ when going and you effectively have the front trying to drive the rear 5 % faster, but both are on the same and therefore going at the same

The tyres can heard scrubbing pushing backwards on a hard The first 4WD sportscar- the Jensen 4WD a special mechanism to disengage the limiter’ during reverse. I wonder if this was part of the design or if it was discovered the first they tried to reverse the

But these problems are merely hurdles that must be in the quest to reap the benefits 2WD can offer us, see the Ride Impressions to hear what the end result is like.

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