Interesting front wheel drive motorcycle

ramkris · 1st June 2010, 14:59

I came across this motorcycle while stumbling across the net, with this rotary engine mounted on the front wheel. Interesting concept for an airplane but probably not so on a bike.

YouTube - Megola Motorcycle, German motorcycle, rotary engine

McLaren Rulez · 1st June 2010, 15:13

The video took very long to buffer so I didn't watch it but that's the point of a FWD bike? Is there a mechanical or cost advantage?

tantragna · 2nd June 2010, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

The video took very long to buffer so I didn't watch it but that's the point of a FWD bike? Is there a mechanical or cost advantage?

If I am not wrong, the front wheel drive is an advantage (in the field of fuel efficiency similar to the FWD cars), also it would be better to handle as trailing mass is reduced. Even the mechanical parts can be reduced, so lesser maintenance (since I see the engine is a part of the wheel hub)

directinjection · 2nd June 2010, 20:07

In 1970s, Atlas cycles had launched mopeds that were front wheel drive. The brand was called ATLASOLEX, made in collaboration with a French company SOLEX. The engine was mounted above the front wheel mudguard and the kick was hand-operated.

Pic:

Interesting front wheel drive motorcycle-velosolex_5000.jpg

]Source

tantragna · 2nd June 2010, 20:14

Even I had seen 70's or even older Luna, the italian moped, which had the engine mounted on the front wheel fender with a belt driven to the front wheel!

aargee · 2nd June 2010, 21:00

I wouldn't prefer a front wheel drive motorcycle as I expect a powerloss. I remember seeing even a 2WD motorcycle & it didn't look appealing to me either. I like the simple old technology, the rear wheel powered, multicylinder motorcycle

Rehaan · 3rd June 2010, 13:23

Something about that rotary engine inside the wheel is beautiful!
Sounds great too...

Related threads :
Two Wheel Drive Bike from Yamaha

AWD Bike - The Indian DIY Way!

cya
R

DicKy · 14th June 2011, 20:11

Can't understand what's the need for FWD in a motorcycle.
AFAIK, ordinary bikes don't seem to have any power loss during transmission. even if there is, then more effective methods than the chain can be used.
But mounting engine on the front driving the front wheel?
Maybe too hard to handle(engine weight on steering wheel) and also dynamically dangerous.
P.S- i see a conspiracy of FWD lovers to change bikes to FWD after they have done the same to cars..

1st June 2010, 15:13	#2
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,462 Thanked: 5,512 Times	The video took very long to buffer so I didn't watch it but that's the point of a FWD bike? Is there a mechanical or cost advantage?
	() Thanks

2nd June 2010, 20:07	#4
directinjection Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Faridabad/Delhi Posts: 1,717 Thanked: 830 Times	In 1970s, Atlas cycles had launched mopeds that were front wheel drive. The brand was called ATLASOLEX, made in collaboration with a French company SOLEX. The engine was mounted above the front wheel mudguard and the kick was hand-operated. Pic: ]Source Last edited by Rehaan : 3rd June 2010 at 13:20. Reason: Please host all pics on our server and then provide a source link. This prevents pics from suddenly disappearing.
	() Thanks

2nd June 2010, 20:14	#5
tantragna BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 228 Thanked: 32 Times View My Garage	Even I had seen 70's or even older Luna, the italian moped, which had the engine mounted on the front wheel fender with a belt driven to the front wheel!
	() Thanks

2nd June 2010, 21:00	#6
aargee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TSTN Posts: 6,354 Thanked: 10,052 Times	I wouldn't prefer a front wheel drive motorcycle as I expect a powerloss. I remember seeing even a 2WD motorcycle & it didn't look appealing to me either. I like the simple old technology, the rear wheel powered, multicylinder motorcycle
	() Thanks

3rd June 2010, 13:23	#7
Rehaan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 24,193 Thanked: 36,063 Times	Something about that rotary engine inside the wheel is beautiful! Sounds great too... Related threads : Two Wheel Drive Bike from Yamaha AWD Bike - The Indian DIY Way! cya R
	() Thanks

14th June 2011, 20:11	#8
DicKy Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TVPM Posts: 4,389 Thanked: 15,270 Times	Re: Interesting front wheel drive motorcycle Can't understand what's the need for FWD in a motorcycle. AFAIK, ordinary bikes don't seem to have any power loss during transmission. even if there is, then more effective methods than the chain can be used. But mounting engine on the front driving the front wheel? Maybe too hard to handle(engine weight on steering wheel) and also dynamically dangerous. P.S- i see a conspiracy of FWD lovers to change bikes to FWD after they have done the same to cars..
	() Thanks