Track project...

Throttlepansy · Post by **Throttlepansy** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:30 am

...Any updates? I thought there might have been some pix of a production-ready example by now...Not a criticism, I'm just impatient to see "my next bike"!

Trackrider · Post by **Trackrider** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:10 am

Well, I can give you a bit more info. Especially with the project coming into the final stage Erik is more close lipped about it than ever. In the past 6 years I bought stuff for my Africa Twin from him, so I know Erik personally and I'm probably going to be one of the first to have one of these bikes. Even to me he operates on a strict "only-what-he-needs-to-know" policy. I can't blame him for that, but it's also the reason i can't go into detail.

Concerning the project: it's still going but has been delayed because the standard CVT design had to be adjusted to the lower, narrower rpm range and torque/power of a diesel engine. That took a while to figure out properly, in cooperation with the CVT supplier. Apperently Erik wants to do something that hasn't been done before. Certainly on this scale and level and he wants it to be done right the first time.

Like you, I'm very anxious to get my butt on one of them motorcycles. Been waiting for a year now. Luckily for me: about 2 months ago I could do a short and speed restricted testride (up to 130 km/h) on one of the prototypes still fitted with the old CVT setup. It's like your floating or gliding on ice. Smooth driving and a very high grin factor, let me tell you that! With Erik's drive and attention to detail, with the new CVT setup it's only going to be better.

A second testdrive, with new goodies installed, is planned, i just don't know when.

Throttlepansy · Post by **Throttlepansy** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:49 am

Thanks for the info., Trackrider. I sounds like Erik is serious about getting the product right, which is reassuring. Keep us posted! (And tell him to keep up the good work

)

Trackrider · Post by **Trackrider** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:38 am

There's some new pics on Erik's website. This week and/or next week there will be a new round of testdrives

. I'll be back with more info then.

Trackrider · Post by **Trackrider** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:47 am

Ok, my impressions of last week's, again far too short, testride. It took place on the same stretch of road you see in the new movies. Disclaimer: following is my own subjective experience.

It's (still) a very nice ride. Good precise steering, very stiff frame, low center of gravity. The Brakes are awesome. The seating position suits me very well and there's little wind turbulence around my Arai X-tour helmet (i'm 1.88m tall). I really feel i can drive it all day long and take the long way home everytime. It only takes half a mile to forget about missing the clutch lever and gear shifter.

Vibrations were down a lot compared to the first testdrive. Most of them are experienced now when accelerating/decelerating. In general they are comparable now to what i experience on my trusty Africa Twin. This will get better as testing progresses.

As far as acceleration is concerned: Erik told me a BMW R1100 GS has a very hard time keeping up with it. And that's without any tuning to CVT and engine block.

As you can hear in the movies the motorcycle is very quiet at speed, it makes a little more noise when running stationary. At speed there's more noise from the wind and tires than from the engine. My only real gripe here is the fact that the turbo is practically inaudible now. I liked hearing that sound on a motorcycle.

Some details:
- Excel rims with stainless steel spokes (the spokes in the front wheel are as thick as the ones in the rear wheel of my Twin)
- Brembo radial brake calipers with floating discs.
- Heavy duty maintainance free battery.
- Fuel line connectors with valves for little or no spillage when disconnecting them.
- Soot filter and catalyst in the exhaust system.

Final looks willl be slightly different of course.