The 2WD Freak Show...
The path to developing a fully functioning two wheel drive motorcycle is littered with the corpses of past experiments, here are four examples...
2Trac R1
In 2000, Yamaha Sweden’s 2Trac R1 was driven by a hydraulic motor in the front wheel hub when traction was deemed to be diminishing. The 2Trac R1 worked well, five seconds faster than a standard R1 around Karlskoga circuit in the wet – although the extra weight of the system meant it had no advantage in the dry.
The Rokon
The Rokon
The Rokon is an impossibly ugly contraption still being made today. Powered by a 172cc lawnmower engine making 6bhp, so unlikely to win speed as well as beauty competitions. Has an accessories list to rival BMW’s, which includes everything from saddlebags to gun racks. Guaranteed to have you openly laughed at by all.
Yamaha GTS1000
Yamaha GTS1000
Yamaha’s 1994 GTS1000 was actually the closest we ever got to a production 2WD bike. A concept for a 2WD version of the GTS was researched for three years before being canned due to the original’s lack of success. If it hadn’t been such a donkey in the first place, who knows where it might have led.
Suzuki Falcorustyco concept
Suzuki Falcorustyco concept
In 1985 Suzuki produced this concept, the Falcorustyco. Really? It had a 500cc square four water-cooled engine with 16 valves and 3 camshafts, no gearbox and relied on hydraulic pumps to provide final drive to both wheels. Front and rear swinging arms provided hub-centered steering and the bike had electromagnet brakes.
