The conventional rear-wheel-drive found on motorcycles is limited in its functionality, despite its popularity globally. Even the best motorcycles in the world have limited carrying capacity, limited climbing capacity, and limited off-road capabilities.
Much like the beginning of the four-wheel-drive system in cars, only a few motorcycle companies have dared to venture into two-wheel-drive production. However, it is also worth noting the underlying challenges that hinder the mass-production of these motorcycles. A two-wheel-drive system makes the bikes heavier, more expensive, and their performance only stands out when off-roading. Despite these challenges, the motorcycles in this article highlight the practicality of a two-wheel-drive system.
9 Rokon
Considered one of the most successful off-road production bikes, the Rokon embodies an attempt to replicate the Land Rover on two wheels. The 2WD Rokon is unique for its combination of chain, belt, and shaft drives to power both the front and rear wheel. The bike also features hollow wheels capable of holding 2.5 gallons of water or gasoline for long-distance travel.
Older Rokon motorcycles pack a 134cc West Bend 820 two-stroke engine, while newer models have either a Kohler or Honda engine generating about 6bhp. Unlike older models, the updated Rokon boasts a patented AutoGrab front suspension, tow bars, saddlebags, and the ability to climb an impressive 60-per cent grade.
8 Christini
Christini holds a rich history of AWD mountain bicycles, dating as far back as the 90s. Christini motorcycles were first designed, built, and tested between 2002 and 2004. Since then, the bikes have been widely race-tested in Endurocross, World Enduro, Red Bull Last Man Standing, GNCC, and Hare scrambles. They feature a skid plate, handguards, an extended-range fuel tank, and cooling fans.
The Christini AWD system features a series of chains, gears, and shafts that connect the front wheel to the same output sprocket used to power the rear wheels. The motorcycles are unique for their aluminum twin-spar chassis construction. This frame sets the tone for the entire Christini project because its 278lb weight ensures the bike is light and very strong.
7 Wunderlich Hybrid BMW R1200GS
Wunderlich is widely recognized for its competence and leading role in motorcycle innovation and technology. The company partnered with an Italian company, Evolt, to innovate the Hybrid BMW R1209GS motorcycle. The Hybrid BMW is unique for its hybrid drivetrain fitted with an electric 10-kilowatt hub motor on the bike's front-end. This electric gearbox is used for maneuvering assistance, reverse function, and enables parking on a slope.
However, the front-wheel motor is good for about 12mph when used without the standard GS boxer-twin gas engine. This electric motor features regenerative braking, which is advantageous in charging the bike's modest battery pack. The Hybrid BMW R1209GS weighs approximately 525lbs, with an allowable payload of 467lbs.
6 Yamaha 2-Trac
The Yamaha 2-Trac is a limited-production competition rally bike that boasts the world's first production 2WD motorcycle system. Yamaha and Ohlins partnered to make just 250 examples of this revolutionary motorcycle. The 2-Trac features an Ohlins' fork, steering damper, shock, and a gas-pressurized hydraulic accumulator that acts as a damper for the bike's drive system.
The 2-Trac's hydraulic accumulator is an automated system that ensures the power supply to the front wheel is reduced as soon as the rear wheel regains full traction. Although the Yamaha 2-Trac is built for competition purposes only, this revolutionary hydraulic system has future potential for mass-producing a range of motorcycle and scooter applications.
5 Yamaha PES2
Unveiled at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show, the PES2 sports EV concept is designed to provide a natural operational feel that endears to today's motorcycle enthusiasts. The PES2 features a Yamaha Smart Power Module, a removable battery pack that equally serves as a structural element that gives the bike a monocoque frame design.
The PES2 is powered by a brushless DC motor with a lithium-ion battery and an additional electric motor fitted on the front wheel's hub. Yamaha designed this new electric concept to provide the same performance as Class II motorcycles and mopeds. Due to its innovative monocoque design, the PES2 is estimated to weigh a manageable 286lb.
4 Suzuki Nuda
The Nuda prototype is a glaring example of Suzuki's adventurous and creative display of the direction the company thinks future two-wheel bikes will take. The motorcycle features a lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork, a magnetic key system, an analog instrument panel, a six-speed transmission, front and rear disc brakes, and adjustable front suspension.
Instead of telescopic forks, the Suzuki Nuda has a hub steering system similar to the Bimota Tesi 2D. The Nuda is powered by a four-stroke 16-valve horizontal inline four-cylinder DOHC engine that generates 148bhp at 12800rpm and 65lb-ft maximum torque at 11200rpm.
3 Drysdale 2x2x2
Australian inventor, Ian Drysdale, is popularly known for his radical V8 sports bikes. He is also the inventor of the utterly unique Drysdale Dryvtech 2X2X2 motorcycle prototype. The motorcycle features hydraulic drive and hydraulic steering on both wheels that convert pressurized oil to rotary motion. The Drysdale motorcycle's steering is peculiar since it has no mechanical connection to the wheels.
Turning the bike's handlebars causes the hydraulic master cylinder to pressurize oil and send it to a slave cylinder near the hub to move the wheels. The Drysdale 2X2X2 is fitted with a hydraulic battery that serves as an accumulator to maintain steering system pressure.
2 KTM 2WD prototype
Guido Koch took ten years to develop the KTM 2WD Prototype, relying mostly on his mechanical engineering experience. Dubbed Project DT-A, Koch had to design an entirely new frame, a bespoke CV joint, a new hub-center steering system upfront fitted with a swing arm, and an innovative means of sending engine power to the front wheel.
The KTM 2WD Prototype features the original KTM rear swing arm, rear wheel, brakes, and V-Twin engine. The motorcycle is fitted with a chain mounted on both swing axles as an innovative means to accommodate power on the front wheel. However, the bike sends power to the front wheel only when the rear wheel losses traction or slips by more than 5-percent. Koch also fitted the KTM prototype with a switch to override the 2WD system and revert to standard rear-wheel-drive.
1 Suzuki XF5
Suzuki presented the XF5 at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show, it featured a fairly conventional profile that ran little risk of warding off potential customers. The XF5 features a radical aluminum chassis and a unique fork configuration. The fork's right leg is modified to act as the XF5's suspension unit, while the left leg houses the transmission shaft.
The XF5's left fork leg is then linked to the frame by an independent swing arm. The bike utilizes three chains that run from the engine output shaft to power the front hub. However, the XF5 features a one-way clutch biased to drive power to the rear wheel.