Yamaha will be introducing a lot of new concept vehicles at the Tokyo Motor Show and the Yamaha Tesseract, a 4 wheel leaning vehicle ups the ante when compared to all of the other 3 wheel tilters coming out.
The Tesseract is a hybrid 4 wheeler, powered by both a V-Twin gasoline engine and an electric motor. The suspension is what they call a "dual-scythe" which leans while cornering, just like a motorcycle. It also has a dual arm lock to keep the Tesseract upright when stopped, just like the lock on a Piaggio MP3.
With everyone working on leaning vehicles with more than 2 wheels, it was only a matter of time before 4 wheelers adopted the technology. If concepts like this start to appear in production form, how long before vehicle laws have to change to adapt?
Gautch says
I’ve been drawing these for years now.
If this went into production, I’d pick one up in a heart beat.
mobilus says
Now there’s a home for the Gold Wing engine!
John B says
i don’t understand why… if designers are going in this direction… are the drivers position on top rather than “in” with these type of machines. i like the idea but, i would love it if it where more like GM’s LeanMachine of the 80’s or the recent French Puegeot posted here a few months back.
taxman says
i agree, a recumbent design would be very interesting. if it was affordable i would be very willing to purchase one.
todd says
I was going to make one of these when I almost bolted two trail 90’s together side-by side. My idea was to allow it to lean but you would sit on one bike (not in the middle) with all the controls and throttle for the other bike linked to the first. Your passenger would lean with you much like when they are sitting behind you. The passenger side handle bars would be fixed straight ahead and the wheel controlled by the driver’s bars.
All in all I only figured a few simple struts and cable splitters. I was only worried about how to actively control the speed of one bike vs. the other; either to intentionally provide wacky traction control or just to keep it running down the road in a straight line.
-todd
todd says
I forgot:
My other concern was whether I would have to license and insure both bikes or just the driver’s side…
-todd
OTTO MANN says
WELL I MUST ADMITT . I DO LIKE THE CONCEPT,AND I DO WANT ONE . BUT THE WIFE SAYS WE ALREADY HAVE A CONVERTABLE.
Sean says
Once again, Transformers, robots in disguise…
coho says
JohnB,
I think they’re focusing on “sit-ons” rather than
“sit-ins” because we, as motorcyclists, are more likely to accept Something Else than your average automobilist.
As long as it leans.
Jeff says
It’s not for me . But what a great concept . Just think…..those who can’t ride a traditional motorcycle can still get the thrill of the ride .
GenWaylaid says
I like the interesting suspension design. Anyone want to split one down the middle?
hoyt says
Will alternative front suspension increase in 2 wheeled motorcycles as the leaning 3 or 4 wheelers gain popularity? I hope it will not take that long.
RobC says
Looks like a Siamese bike. I personally don’t like the idea, preferring my bikes to have 2 wheels thanks. 4 wheels are cars! 🙂
The thought of all those extra parts to go wrong also makes me cringe.
protojoe says
My first drawing of this concepts was done when my wife was prego for my daughter. She just turned nine.
protojoe says
Im an industrial designer and my brother ( a true motorcycle nerd) have been discussing how to do this for a long time. I even took a couple of Ducati models, and build a scale mock up to draw off of. I came up with an active/passive suspension system. Active (meaning controled by a servo or something) to controle pitch. This would be done a-la segway. The passive is foe the actual suspention elements. Also, my drawing always had the wheels out alot wider.
Ben O'toole says
Nice.
But I’m thinking 4 tires, 4 rims and God knows how many brake pads. Maintaining one of these will be a
full time job.
Now, if you could take it apart and make two bikes out of it, you know, for the yacht…..
kim scholer says
A good way of measuring how realistic it is for a new concept like this to actually make it onto a production line, would be to make bets. Is Jimmy The Greek still alive?
Kim of Copenhagen
Hugh Kemp says
Great to see that Yamaha are moving down the road towards narrow cars. Just look at NARO to see the next step!!!
Sam Frye says
I would love 2 meet the Eng,. who designed this bike,
I have an Prototype of a Trike that I designed & would luv 2 sell it 2 a major company that can offer more than what I can do 4 it.
The way I designed my Trike It will Be the Future version A different look & Different ways 2 run Not only on Gas / will Have {a Solar Shield Cover} covering entire trike.
It’s defiantly A must See, So contact me 4 more info.
I want 1 Of those Yamaha Tesseract 4 wheel leaning concept!
Simon C says
Looks good and I like it a lot but…
The suspension in the front and in the back looks like a copy form three wheel tilting bicycle:
http://www.fastfwd.nl/eng/artikel-4.php
Lengths of various linkages are diferent but kinematic structure is the same.
Plus this bicycle was shown many years before Tessaract.
BigAl says
Anybody actually realized that the Dodge Tomahawk is a tilting 4-wheeler as well?
chris j says
I think this will be and amazing thing and if it makes it over here I’m shure that it’ll be selling like crazy if it comes out in the us ill buy one the secont it came out