What you see here is the unique idea of Polish firm Marotti about a trike. They’ve created and tested this prototype model powered by a 750cc Honda motorcycle engine and recently announced they will start production of what’s very possible to become the world’s fastest production three-wheeler. That is all due to the 397bhp/ tone power to weight ratio as the trike’s production powerplant is expected to be an 187bhp 1.4-litre engine and the whole thing will weigh only 440kg (970 lbs).
To us, this is as close to a Batmobile as we’ll ever get (hopefully), meaning that the jet-fighter inspired styling does its job properly.
Vyrus has just released the official pictures of their 987 C3 4V and we’re still having troubles looking at it as to a real production motorcycle, not just because it looks totally off the patterns, but because we have to be aware of the fact that this is an 184hp sportsbike with hub-center steering and a carbon bodywork. These pictures are even better after seeing the Vyrus being assembled in less than three minutes.
I believe we can finally say the first air conditioner for motorcycles (one that will actually end up being produced) was invented. The company behind the inventive idea is EntroSys, which’s motorcycle air conditioner offers almost the same thermic comfort as when traveling in a car, meaning that it can cool/heat the rider’s body depending on the climate.
The company plans to take this into full production and has released a video showing how easily their system can be used, we reckon on most kinds of motorcycles. Watch it and, if you have experienced heat and/or cold while riding motorcycles, you’ll be hooked.
Not long ago, the only “American” way to get more power from an engine was to make it bigger and while things haven’t completely changed, we do witness technological progress being applied on engines such as this V4 powering the latest Motus. It features Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) instead of upstream injection and what the first system does is inject gasoline straight into the combustion chamber right after the intake process is complete, significantly improving the engine’s blows, which translates into more performance.
And speaking of performance, this engine is no stranger to it as it is designed by Michigan-based Katech, which also happens to supply the engines for the Pratt and Miller Corvettes. That is why you won’t have troubles spotting plenty of similarities between those and the Motus engine if curiosity strikes you.
A recent Cycle World article by Kevin Cameron speaks about the benefits of GDI, while Brian Case told The Kneeslider this is “the first V4 made in America for a production vehicle, the first gDI production motorcycle engine, and even the first gDI V4 for that matter.”
Configured as a 1650cc, V4 with 2 valves per cylinder, the Made in America powerplant makes 140hp, but we still can’t help but notice how the performance upgrade is still related to gas, meaning that this mill is after all faithful to its origins.
Electric motorcycles are becoming more and more popular and builders are continuously trying to expand their coverage area on the market. One very good such example is the Quantya electric snow bike prototype, which is based on a Quantya MX bike but features a snowmobile-like track and a front ski so that it would turn into a fairly easy and fun bike to ride on the show. The only problem is that the batteries tend to run out too fast because of the cold, so different battery and motor power combinations are being considered and tested at the Quantya HQ in Switzerland. Once they figure this last detail out, don’t be surprised if the company starts producing the thing for snow enthusiasts. Full story
