TheKneeslider.com – There’s an explosion of motorcycle powered vehicles coming out. Everywhere you look, the masses have finally discovered what we’ve known all along, motorcycle engines are incredibly powerful, pound for pound, compared to auto engines and offer performance more akin to all out racing vehicles than your average car.
Along with popularity comes variety and the Kamikaze demonstrates a very different way of combining motorcycle power, in this case, a turbocharged and intercooled 400 horsepower Hayabusa engine, with a vehicle structure of some sort to contain the powerplant and driver.
This also demonstrates a very different approach to spending $80,000, compared to the SUB 3 Wheeler we discussed a while back. Where the S3 was more finesse and handling, the Kamikaze is a sledgehammer, a Mad Max on the street vehicle, there’s nothing subtle about it. Opinions may vary as to the styling, but the person who wants one of these is certainly not going to apologize for it, he may just bury you in a cloud of tire smoke from the 18.5 inch wide Hoosier Pro-Street Radial, instead.
There are a few interesting design features, two 8 gallon externally mounted fuel tanks contain a flexible liner for the gasoline plus a foam which takes up much of the air space, reducing the chance of an explosion or fire should the unfortunate occur.
Unlike many 3 wheelers, the Kamikaze utilizes all motorcycle controls, throttle and front brake in your right hand and clutch in your left. Rear brake is right foot, shifting with your left. They make the point you don’t need a motorcycle license but I think that’s a mistake, anyone not used to motorcycle controls and jumping into this thing is a very short distance from a very bad event.
This vehicle is being heavily promoted, it was at the L.A. Auto Show and has a cameo appearance in the upcoming Fast and Furious 3 movie. It should fit right in with the tuner crowd. Their website is all Flash and pretty high zoot.
Check out the photos, judge for yourself.
Thanks to our reader Don for the pointer.
Kamikaze by Martino Motor Company
See also: Motorcycle Powered Cars
coho says
I love backwards 3wheelers (2 in front), but that’s gotta be the most ridiculous example of the breed I’ve seen in a long time. And the motorcycle-style controls are, indeed, going to get some car person hurt. Too bad, that will probably get trikes banned for being too dangerous.
Why can’t American alt-vehicle builders get away from the “too-much-horsepower-for-the-weight-and-photo-realistic flames” design paradigm?
aaron says
“Why can’t American alt-vehicle builders get away from the “too-much-horsepower-for-the-weight-and-photo-realistic flames” design paradigm?”
’cause then the vee-hic-ule wouldn’t have too much horsepower and flames! 😉
todd says
and it doubles as a snow plow or a front-loader…
-todd
Alejandro says
I have a 1999 Hayabusa so I well know the power of mighty Suzuki engine, and this new Kamikaze layout looks awesome. The Busa’s weakness is handling and braking, and putting two wheels up front is a much better way to go. From the looks of the video, driving it seems easy enough. If they need a test pilot I am in!
Don says
I saw this at the LA Auto show, and it looks absolutely incredible in person. The pictures just don’t do it justice. With the gigantic tire in the back (larger than both rear tires of most cars), all the downforce wings, it must just hug the ground. I like the fact that there is a frame around you, yet still like a motorcycle in the open.
And, just my opinion, but you can never have too much Horsepower!!
Geoff says
Hi, I came across the Kamikaze trike only recently and now check it out almost daily for inspiraation. It just looks right.
The layout makes pefect sense except for one part of the system that you can’t pick up from the ‘photos. How is the drive train (chain)routed to the rear wheel? Do you have any ‘photos showing this?
Regards,Geoff