Think back just a few years. How many three wheel production motorcycles or cars were being produced? Not trike conversions using a “normal†motorcycle as a base vehicle but a three wheeler from day one. Were there any? Historically, many have come and gone but at that time, the T-Rex powered by a Kawasaki engine was out there, a very low production vehicle but beyond that, what?
Fast forward to today and the Piaggio MP3 is riding out of showrooms and the Can-Am Spyder is just going on sale and you can bet we’ll see quite a few more 3 wheelers popping up now that some companies have taken the all important first step into production. Maybe Volkswagen will take another look at their GX3 and who knows what else may happen. These trikes are not a technological leap but they open a new segment of the market which may itself lead to new ideas. Things can change pretty fast, a lot faster than you might think when you look at current products and try to project forward. It’s easy to see all of the hurdles without considering how many different creative minds are working on the problems which can lead to astounding progress.
Electric motorcycles have been a garage project for technically competent tinkerers for many years but recently the KillaCycle is taking the idea to a whole new level. Working with A123 Systems, the same company providing power for the Tesla Roadster, they’ve developed a serious racer that’s probably going to dip into 7 second quarter mile times before long. Sure, everyone says the range isn’t there yet, which is true, but do the critics think there’s some immutable law keeping that problem from being solved? Battery technology is a huge focus today because auto manufacturers are crying out for better, lighter and cheaper batteries. That will open up possibilities for motorcycles, too.
Even diesel is getting another look for motorcycles, with the Thunder Star, which, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, and the Neander, which is about ready for production. The Bulldog is being made for the military with some civilian sales planned and Arctic Cat has a diesel quad. Diesels are becoming a big factor in the LeMans series since Audi went out and crushed the competition yet it wasn’t long ago that diesel was only for trucks, and slow ones at that.
I think I’ve said all of this before in one way or another:
The rate of technological change is increasing rapidly and motorcycles in some ways are almost frozen in time. It’s common to hear sport bike riders taking shots at Harley Davidson as using ancient technology but I have a hunch you’ll be able to say the same thing about current sport bikes before very long.
Even having said that, I still smile every time I pause to look around and see how quickly new products appear and advances are made. I was recently reading this book
todd says
I think reverse trikes (as well as standard configs) have been available in other countries for quite some time. I think it’s in the US, the land of rich-fat-people the idea never caught on.
I think technology, for the last 20 years or so, has been merely resulted in gimmickery. A 20 year old bike is not that far behind in capability as a new bike. Sure we have more power, due mainly to the wider availablity of unobtainium, but the old bike will motor on just fine. Gimmicks add to the perceived value of the bike. Dealers can charge more for the latest configuration that they can for the older configuration. It really doesn’t cost any more to manufacture USD forks than standard forks. Fuel injection is more simple and less expensive to develop, manufacture, and service than carbs but they’ll charge you more for a bike if it is fuel injected. Same can be said for digital vs. analog gauges and ignitions.
Do people want these things? Advertising has convinced people they do. Do we need them? I think not.
-todd
chris says
bring it on.
Richard says
I have to disagree with Todd’s premise that motorcycles have not significantly improved in the last 20 years. There have been major changes in the frames, tires and suspension components which make today’s sport bikes handle far better than the old bikes. These changes do not amount to mere “gimmicks”.
Sean says
I love this new technology. I remember hearing about the new Kawasaki and being wowed, and I can’t wait til I hear about the new Honda/Suzuki/Guzzi that can go even faster. I love older bikes, with analogue tachs and speedos that don’t mean I have to stop and read the number on the board, I just need to see the general location of the needle. It’s a personal thing, to be sure. We all want to go faster, but there will always be those who don’t want to go as fast, instead wanting to get there in there own style. This century in motorcycling, is going to be a good ‘un.
todd says
yes, things have gotten better, more advanced, but the progression up to 1985 or so was much greater than from ’85 ’til now. What I’m saying is compare a 1965 Suzuki with a 1985 GSXR 750. Now compare that 1985 GSXR with a new GSXR. There was significant advancement from ’65 to ’85 and very little or minor growth the following 20 years. There is not nearly the amount of advancement now as there was before and a 1985 sport bike is quite nearly still on par with the current crop of bikes.
-todd
hoyt says
“…very little or minor growth since 1985…” ?
how much overall weight has been dropped since ’85? 100+ lbs.
Electronics have advanced dramatically since ’85
Material science has opened the doors for better designs while keeping production costs down.
how much unsprung weight has been dropped due to better designs & material science?
No way is an ’85 sportbike nearly still on par with the current bikes, especially considering costs have been kept in check in relationship to the tech advancements. This is not to say an 85 sportbike is not any good.
Trey says
I’m with Hoyt – bikes are getting faster, lighter, stronger, and significantly less expensive!
Take for example a modern MotoGP bike ($uber expensive) puts a little over 200 BHP (990cc) to the rear wheel. My buddies ’06 ZX-10 (less than $10k), with a pipe, PC, and some tweaking makes almost 180 BHP – at the rear wheel! I give it another year, and 200 BHP ill be easy…
Diesel engines are a great idea, especially in cruisers, quads, and “city bikes” where big BHP isn’t needed, nut torque rules.
Trey
davidabl says
What’s probably going to happen is that various regulatory restrictions will kick in
re safety,performance,noise, emissions & carbon footprint and put a cap on future developments.. At some point the 200x yr. models will be less exciting than the bikes of 10 years before.
Kyle Hutchinson says
I think that bikes have come a long way in 20 years, yes, but, not as much as before 85 that’s for sure… bikes are alot lighter and faster but are they as comfortable to ride? I have an 85 gsxr 750 and a 2000 cbr f4 and the difference is amazing. The comfort level is not even comparable, but the response of the cbr is way better. They have made anything that will make history like they did in the mid 80’s…. gpz, cbr, gsxr, fz….etc. Anyway, that’s my opinion.
Happy riding!!