Thanks to a comment by Jenn, we now know where the radial engine powered motorcycle #2 comes from, it’s JRL Cycles in Black Hawk, South Dakota. The bike will be on display this year at the EAA flyin and air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and after that will be in Sturgis.
JRL is also an official distributor for the Rotec radial used in both motorcycles we wrote about.
There’s not a lot of information on their website yet but that will probably change very soon.
Thanks for the tip, Jenn!
Link: JRL Cycles
The Kneeslider: Radial Engine Powered Motorcycle #2
The Kneeslider: Radial Engine Powered Motorcycle
mark says
OMG…is this thing for real ? is there a real bike like this?…totaly whacked out ride !!!!
aaron says
I’d been kicking the idea around for a while based on a model airplane engine that is about 420cc, and this looks like it might be exactly my bike! well, I was going to go for a 1915 bicycle type and paint it to look old+worn, but…..
my idea was to mount it as seen, with a damper at the crank and a bearing that would let the engine spin. more revs, the faster the engine revolves. the damper would limit the speed of rotation and allow the primary drive to actually put some power to the wheel. why? because I was worried about cooling to the back cylinders. if the engine is free to rotate, I’ll be pissed. that’s one more idea that I could have done first if I had time, money, motivation, a bigger workshop, skills……
I still like my 1915 idea though – make a cool bike that looks old and worn, ride it to a vintage meet and say – “I don’t actually know much about the bike – my grandfather had it in the barn for the last 70 years…” and just watch peoples reactions!
Mystic Zen Biker says
So — what you’re actually talking about isn’t so much a radial engined motorcycle, as a rotary engined motorcycle. That’d be something to see running, but I sure wouldn’t want a rotary engine between my knees ….
aaron says
well, the plan would have involved a set of pedals for footpegs (period correct!) the plan was that you could rotate them so only ONE foot was in danger of being ripped off. 😉
hoyt says
Mark — I assume you have checked out the other subjects on the Kneeslider by now [?]. If not, these bikes are already in the “metal”?
Sam says
Mark… I was in the rapid city area 5 or 6 months ago which is just few miles from Blackhawk SD….i heard alot of talk at a wheel builder there i was doing business with about some guys building an airplane engine bike, i didnt give it much thought at the time but saw this same bike on another site which lead me to kneeslider.
It really caught my attention too…the more i looked at the pic’s of it the more i liked it …its like its about time someone came up with something new in the bike world..i did some research on the rotec engine and it sounds like it should be a killer engine for use in a motorcycle.
kneeslider seems to be the only place i could get any info on it outside of the JRLcycles website that doesnt have much information on it yet.
the only other info i got on it is that they are suppose to have some “BIG” people looking at this bike for what reasons i dont know.
would be interested if theres anyone else out there that might have any ideas of wassup with this bike and where can i get that info.
i would just call them and ask but since i dont have the time or money to play in that league i would feel bad wasteing thier time
Erik says
Crazy stuff. For the record, Suzuki made a Wankel rotary powered motorcycle, the RE-5.
Faye says
The bike is awesome! I have updated pictures if you’d like some, let me know where to send them! and no, not rotary, its radial!!
Elwood Blues says
I’d love to own a radial.My neighbours would even like me less…..
Coquitlam BC
Ollie S. says
Hello all. My wife & I just returned from Black Hawk, SD after visiting the JRL facility. All I can say is, HOLY COW!!! What a bike!!!!
John & his staff at JRL were great. They showed me all the available options and took us around to the different vendors that make up this brute of a motorcycle. We were so impressed, we ordered the first of 12 in his series of Lucky 7 radial bikes. It’s set for delivery at Sturgis in August of 07′.
Some might think that this is just a show bike to be trailered to shows, but I totally disagree. The Rotec engine is a tried & true production engine. They’ve been producing it for almost eight years, not to mention the prior history with the radial engine in general. The seat fit & height are very comfortable. My plan is to ride it when I’m not working. Total fuel endurance is about 2 hours, which is more than enough for my bottom end.
Cooling: Both Rotec & JRL have studied & found that due to adequate fin area of the rear cyclinders, over heating is not an issue.
If you’re really interested in a hot bike & have some extra cash laying around give them a try.
Ollie..Virginia Beach, VA