If you're a very long time reader of The Kneeslider, you may remember when we wrote about the Brudeli Leanster way back in 2006 and 2008. The leaning 3 wheeler showed a great deal of promise from a company that was literally started in a garage by Geir Brudeli and some of his friends. A few days ago Geir sent me a note announcing some extremely good news, it seems the work he's been doing caught the eye of the folks over at Yamaha and they bought the patent for his Leanster.
Following the recent announcement by Yamaha of the Yamaha Niken, this purchase of a patent for another leaning multi wheeler gives the impression they're very serious about this segment of the motorcycle market and I would expect further variations to be introduced in the not too distant future. If their competitors don't respond, Yamaha could develop a huge lead in what could be a pretty popular niche.
It's always exciting when a small startup attracts the attention of an industry leader and it underscores the high caliber of work done in the design of this leaning multi wheeler. Congratulations to Geir Brudeli and everyone else involved in the project. Nice work!
Press release follows:
Brudeli Tech Holding AS have completed the sale of the patents known from the Leanster vehicles Brudeli 654L and 625L. The buyer is Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., Japan which is a world-class leading motorcycle and powersport manufacturer.
“I see this as an incredible honour that Yamaha have decided to acquire this technology that we started to develop here in Norway” says Geir Brudeli inventor and owner of Brudeli Tech Holding AS. He also states that: “Knowing the competence, knowledge and passion of Yamaha it will be exciting to see their future products.”
The history of the Norwegian company Brudeli Tech Holding AS goes all the way back to 2001 and the concept vehicle was unveiled at the EICMA 2005 at a time before this new and growing market of leaning vehicles with two wheels in the front was established.
A very competent group of partners and investors did contribute from the very early years. A large thanks to all of them!
Since 2010 a major part of the day to day business have also been to provide mechanical and mechatronic design consultant services to a major automotive system supplier.
Brudeli Tech is located at Eiker Næringspark (http://eikernaeringspark.no/), an industrial estate which is continuously modernised and growing. Eiker Næringspark was founded by entrepreneur Svein Rust who also was a mentor and investor in Brudeli Tech in the start-up phase.
Details: Brudeli Tech
Sebastian says
Exciting. The Niken might work well, but the front end looks don’t even sell to an oddball like me. I always liked the looks of this system much better, and wondered why Yamaha didn’t do something similar.
Jason says
The Nikon is specifically designed to evade Piaggio’s patents.
Eric- says
I was Thinking about what ever happened to that (R-trike). I hadent seen much news of it posted in a while,it’s nice to know that it’s not dead!😁
Bob says
Congratulations to both Geir and Yamaha!
Glad to know that Yamaha is taking this niche seriously and not pulling another GTS (Hey, there’s still time to do that one right.). The potential to design and produce exciting 3 wheelers (Both performance and looks) is huge. I hope they stick with it, “Play the long game”, and succeed. The motorcycle world can only look backwards for so long.
PJ Karavlan says
“The motorcycle world can only look backwards for so long” is the best ever statement I have heard that sums up the state of the motorcycle industry. The old timers ( me ) are only going to last so long and I don’t see the up and coming possible new clientele caring about the retro look. They might be enticed by something there grandfathers never rode. And I for one will gladly join this three wheel revolution for my sunset ride
eddi says
The Leanster front end has a cleaner look. I wonder if Yamaha execs looked at that picture of a Leanster in the dirt and thought “ADV for the future”. I sure did.
Nortley says
I thought triple sport. Besides paved and unpaved roads, it ought to handle a little snow just fine.