• Articles
  • Motorcycles for Sale
  • Motorcycle Parts
  • Motorcycle Manuals
  • Collectibles
  • Contact

The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Ecosse Moto Works updates web for X-4 and X-5

By Paul Crowe

Ecosse X-5Ecosse Moto Works has added some info on the upcoming X-4 and X-5 models we mentioned before. Although the images are the same drawings that appeared in the magazine article they mention a couple things I like, one being their “anti-chopper” design theme. As we’ve asked here for so long, why can’t more U.S. companies build outside the chopper segment of the market? They add:

X-5 is the radical 21st century translation of the X-4 that possesses an innovative suspension system — trick fork design with a very different, very impressive rear suspension setup — and proprietary 7-speed transmission.

7 speeds? Very nice. How many times have you been riding along looking for one more upshift? I like it. You know, if Ecosse gets serious here, Buell might not have the large displacement American V twin sport bike market all to itself anymore. That could make for an interesting competition. I’m not sure how many bikes Ecosse can produce but if they do this right, they just might have something. Of course, there’s price, too, which isn’t mentioned …

Ecosse X-4 and X-5

Posted on January 29, 2006 Filed Under: Motorcycle Builders, Motorcycle Design

Parts and Service Manuals and more!

Be sure to check out the new motorcycle manuals and literature listings. I just put it together to make your eBay search easier and it's pretty sweet. It's fun just to browse though it. Check it out!

« Motorcycle Powered Hovercraft
Motorcycle Hearse »

Comments

  1. Willie says

    January 29, 2006 at 2:16 pm

    Theres even mention of an Experimental X-6 on the models page if its anything like the X-4 and X-5 look out. But price is a strong point and with the price of the Heretic in the $40 000 range I can t see alot of Buell riders going out and getting in line.

  2. Matt says

    January 30, 2006 at 12:08 am

    I’m still wondering why Polaris/Victory hasn’t come out with a sport bike?

  3. Curt says

    January 30, 2006 at 12:50 am

    It’s great to see people interested in a performance big twin. If interest continuse to build around that concept, I think you will start to see more of this style. From compitition stems ingenuity, your going to start seeing some realy cool concepts in the near future.

  4. hoyt says

    January 30, 2006 at 12:02 pm

    What would a 7th speed get you if you are using a big-twin?

    I’m probably missing something.

    Matt, I’m with you on the Victory – the time is ripe for sport motorcycles to be built with a STREET performance power band. For those that live in areas where there are loads of 25-35 mph curves, the torque of big twins is perfect. Triumph understands the street performance concept with their 675cc coming out soon. Will this bike re-ignite the Japanese OEMs with other torquey triples?

    Rob…good points. The aftermarket engine builders in the US have quite the product even if it is based on a pushrod motor- where else can you get a motor with 100+ ft./lbs of torque and reliability/servicability ? Nonetheless, other tech would be nice to see on the aftermarket.

    The V-rod (70 ft/lbs) for all of its size doesn’t match the torque of the aftermarket Evo/Twin Cam motors. (70 ft/lbs is no slouch, but as you mentioned there are engines with other technology).

    H-D is selling the V-rod (Revolution) motor as a “crate” motor for anyone wanting to build a special around it….one advantage I can see in using the Revoultion motor is the tidy transmission. Which leads me to an opportunity for Baker Drivetrain and Jims products….please build a compact transmission for the aftermarket v-twin motors. This will help move the sport custom scene in the right direction. Baker already worked on the Ecosse trans., so he has the skill to produce other compact transmissions….

    here’s to an exciting sport custom scene…all the show for bar hopping & posing AND, get this — you’ll be able to ride it through a corner

  5. kneeslider says

    January 30, 2006 at 12:43 pm

    A seventh gear might increase top speed, these aren’t Ducati Desmos, so you get all of the low end grunt plus top speed even if you can’t rev quite as high. You also get the cool factor for that part of the market.

  6. aaron says

    January 30, 2006 at 4:59 pm

    if a 100+ ci engine needs as many gears as a cagiva 125 to reach a top speed lower than a hayabusa, either something’s very wrong with their power delivery, or they’re just trying to one-up everyone else in the motoring world. (“oh, wait, we just lost out to lexus…better make the production version a 9 speed!”)

  7. doug says

    January 31, 2006 at 9:58 pm

    It’s nice to see the seat height come up, foot pegs move back, and bars go down on the X-4 & X-5 sketches. A shorter wheelbase should be part of the package, too.

    its cool that we are now seeing big twin custom sport bikes….

    Big Twin Racers, American Cafe Racer, Ecosse, Confederate

Search articles on The Kneeslider

Do You need motorcycle parts?

Everything from normal maintenance items to hard to find out of production parts, look here first.
Be very specific for best results! Use part numbers if you have them.
Be sure to check out our motorcycle manuals and literature listings, too!

From The Kneeslider Archives

Aluminum motorcycle helmet carved by 5 axis milling machine

5 Axis Milling Machine Demonstrates Capabilities

Harley Davidson V4 engine prototype

Harley Davidson V4 Engine Prototype Photos

Yamaha Maxim bobber from Designs in Cold Steel

Yamaha Maxim Transformed

Motorcycle Engine Powered Cars

Copyright © 2021 · The Kneeslider · Website by Crowe Computer Services
US Army veteran owned and operated
This website proudly Made in the USA!
Made in the USA