Concept, realization and driving experience of/in motorcycles with enclosed cabin.

Author(s)
Wagner, A.
Year
Abstract

Concepts to combine the car's practical usefulness with the motorcycle's fun, agility and low operating cost, Einspurautos, Monotrace, Dalniks etc have been tried out in the past. Today's technical possibilities, such as composite-monocoque-structures, digital-servo-cybernetics, and hightech motorcycle components have been applied to these concepts. Effects of very long wheelbase, low centre of gravity, seated position and safety provisions such as crash-bars, seat belts, headrests as well as aerodynamic features, including precautions for crosswind stability, are discussed. The engineer's role is emphasized. Since 1981 the author's PERAVES company has developed ECOMOBILE, aligned to the above concept. Aircraft manufacturing technique is applied to a monocoque-body. The retractable outrigger wheels are operated by a computer-supervised, electrical servo system. The obvious "automatic retraction and lowering" has been found impractical. BMW-motorcycle components are used and partly modified. The result is compared to the modern car & motorcycle, regarding usefulness, efficiency and reliability. The top- performance- longlife- high- quality- concept of ECOMOBILE is explained. The much more marketable VOLKSMOBILE and its possible realization is discussed. Results of nearly 1000000 road-kms test runs are presented. Requirements for drivers, safety, handling and performance are discussed. Accident findings are shown with relation to high-speed, all-weather and year-round operation. Relative utilisation p.a. is compared. The homologation process in Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Japan is discussed. The prime aspects of safety and negative effects of operation (noise and pollution), are shown in their relation to secondary points like vehicle category and legal formulae. Future legislation and its effect on cabin motorcycles is anticipated. Popular operation of cabin motorcycles, as means of individual transport, with technical, economical and ecological consequences is shown as a way to improve efficiency of the road traffic system.

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Publication

Library number
C 1042 (In: C 1015) /91 / IRRD 852544
Source

In: Safety environment future : proceedings of the 1991 International Motorcycle Conference, Bochum, 1991, IfZ Forschungshefte Zweiradsicherheit No. 7, p. 559-584

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