It took a lot of practice to get comfortable with it - I wore out a pair of boot soles on the first few hours - after that, it was easy. Without a very good understanding of countersteering, I think it would be difficult to ride.
Would love if you also made videos not just blog... I'm dreaming of making something similar but bigger, with big wheels, lots of suspension and two extra seats for wife and my son...
I love this! One of my goals before I die is to build myself one of these also. This thing just looks so sick and slick and actually quite modern for some reason. Though I don't see the reason behind making the rear wheel be able to pivot... that just seems like another complicated moving part that's has the potential to break. I guess it's so the front wheel doesn't need as much steering but meh
Two wheel steering reduces lean angle, makes lean angle changes faster, and kills weave - 3 things that a motorcycle roadracer can benefit a lot from. It has nothing to do with reducing front steering angle - the rear wheel steers 34% in the same direction as the front - watch my "Split hub center steering" video for that. Throughout the history of motorcycle racing, every single breakthrough that increased performance was also an added complication. That said, if it isn't a racer, then there's no real need for it. I hope you get to build yours and have a lot of fun with it!
@@roberthorn Oh I didn't realize this is actually your channel, sorry for being so brash about it😅 Thanks for your insight, that does make sense and I can totally picture that now. Yeah absolutely, with my one I'd probably not opt for the rear wheel steering to simplify things. When I get to building one I will definitely let you know!
Nice job! Junior Electrical Engineering student checking in, I would like to design one of these for my capstone! Thanks for showing the linkage, I'll have to pay the museum a visit - I GOTTA see this in person. Nice job as always
Doesn't this design induce asymmetric jacking since the swingarm doesn't move, but the "fork" that connects the other side does? Or were you able to perfectly centralize the virtual pivot point in the middle of the hub? Also, the saddest part of the Instagram deletion is that you never transferred the recent/later than may 2023 progress pics over to the Blogspot site nor did you make a little update video here.
Yes - the pivot is exact center of the hub - otherwise, yes, it would do evil things. Whenever the frame gets to the point where I get to sit on it and make engine noises for the first time, there will be an update here - thanks!
@@roberthorn Well, barring youtube's weirdness with not sending me comment reply emails, here's hoping I'll see the eventual update video in my inbox! Any progress since the March/April update before the Insta deletion?
Another Burt Monroe, what a brilliant design and my brain tells me it would not only be a hoot to ride it would be safer, more economical with an outstanding centre of gravity, I can't understand 10 yrs in why I'm not seeing these everywhere, if I had the money I would want one!
@@roberthorn Can't wait. I absolutely love it. It looks beautiful. Saw it first time many years ago and been coming back every once in a while just to see if there's something more about it. So far it appears to be the only serious motorcycle build of it's type.
@@roberthorn i discussed this topic in a german recumbent bike chat and anyone said this would'nt work (most without practical experience) on a recumbent bike it has some advantages: lighter propulsion unit & less friction. I did some research and think that it is a matter of steering geometrics esp. the so called trail. some bikes work on this principle, allthough not in the best way i think. If i get the time and opportunity, i will try this construction by myself.
Very cool to see this again Robert. I came across your FF years ago when I was planning my vehicle, the Electrom. I seem to remember that the motors are Heinzman, is that correct? The Electrom ended up as a 2 wheel drive as well, but not 2 wheel steering. In m,y onpinion one of the best aspects of hub motors is the ability to easily have a driven front wheel on a 2 wheeler. For those who are interested, you can see a similar (but very different) concept at youtube.com/@electrom_LEV?si=yYuz5oHZAdDLABs6
Racing is the mother of vehicle technology. Being a welder/fabricator myself, I can see many tricks you've done to shave off weight. I'm sure you've considered aluminum. I love recumbents and I'm very impressed at the progress you've made building one. I'm a big fan of the Japanese Akira bike. Found your channel by accident, I'm a subscriber now. Keep up the great work.
It would be nicer if it has more car like controls: pedal accelerator and brake...steering wheel. He should put on retractable stabilizer wheels, and make the engine a mid-engine.
Sweet ride! Very interesting how same-wise steering reduces lean angle, I'm honestly unsure of how the forces behind that works. Also, how does it affect turning radius? As both wheels are turning inwards, wouldn't the turning center be way behind the bike? Thank you for sharing, the passion in your work is incredible.
Thanks for asking! It took a little while to figure out how it reduced lean angle: If taken to an extreme of having the rear wheel steered far enough to resemble something like a Segway, no lean angle would be necessary for cornering. Steering the rear wheel partially into the corner produces a significant side load on the tire - enough to noticeably reduce lean angle - a similar to the effect of hanging way off the bike without actually doing so. Yes, trail braking makes it want to lean some more - it acts like it is getting pulled toward the apex while keeping the lean angle constant. Powering out of a corner has the opposite effect - it helps it stand up. Both of those unintended effects are helpful.
My VHC steering is a lot more structurally efficient, lighter, and a LOT easier to make, but front swingarms offer the potential of greater cornering clearance for any degree of steering sweep and single sided wheels/hubs.
@@roberthorn Are the first three statements in regards to the RADD system, FSA, or both? Also, it doesn't really seem like your setup particularly _lacks_ cornering clearance, so aside from "it looks cooler" (especially single-sided) I'm not sure either of the other two compare. And I'm sure you have or WILL have a solution for "looks cooler" once the functional side is perfected. EDIT: OH, I forgot to ask (been a while since I read the original blog, too) does your VHC have the feeling of rake/trail and the self-centering effect?
Yes - it feels like normal, except it resists wobbling (The trail doesn't move in a normal arc - it is a lot harder to oscillate - the slip angle still works from the correct side and steers the wheel back to straight ahead, like normal). Yes - VHC compared to the RADD/RATZ system and any other swingarm based front end. It's all really a matter of presentation, fabrication, and execution - they all pretty much do the same job when done right. This is a fun subject - Thanks!
Thank you for posting this one! Thank you also for allowing a glimpse into the steering kinematics (for me, actually, the most interesting part of the video). I think the elements that you skillfully combined in this design could actually lend themselves to a commuter vehicle. It would obviously also need an enclosed cabin to better protect the commuter from the elements and other traffic.
If it is in opposite sense mode, it gets really squirrelly over 10-15 mph, but makes sharp corners possible at low speed. In same sense mode, it feels great - even more stable yet easier to control lean angle at higher speed.
Excellent engineering on your 2-wheel steer bikes. I have waited for recumbent electric motorcycles to be commercially produced, unfortunately only the uber expensive Monotracer E has reached production.
Thanks for posting your creations! These recumbent motorcycles typically have a long wheelbase and low center of gravity, so I was curious about how that affected lean angle in corners. Do these bikes lean as much as a typically sports bike?
As long as ground clearance allows and the weight is the same, they'll lean the same angle. The only problem is that, in most cases, the rider can't reduce lean angle by hanging off. But that's where 2WS comes in - it reduces lean angle more than hanging off! Thanks!
I absolutely adore that bike! What a fantastic thing. And such a beauty to boot. The recumbent design with its reduced aerodynamic drag opens such an interesting avenue for practical electric bikes as well.