Are the Yamaha Tesseract's Four Wheels Better Than Two?
Yamaha has unveiled some pretty stylish Tokyo Motor Show concepts, but their radical four-wheeled Tesseract is by far the most controversial.
The hybrid-powered concept features a liquid-cooled v-twin powerplant that works in conjunction with an electric motor, but the Tesseract's innovative selling point isn't its powertrain, it's the fact that it has four wheels.
Dubbed by Yamaha as a "4-wheeled motorcycle," the Tesseract's tall wheels and narrow track represent an unusual proportion resembling neither a quad, nor a motorcycle. The so-called "dual scythe" suspension system enables each wheel to articulate over uneven surfaces, and the rider leans into turns with the benefit of four contact patches.
Check out the animated demonstration of this oddity's suspension on Yamaha's website, and comment on whether you'd someday like one of these babies in your garage.
Photo © Yamaha
Comments
I think this is the most interesting four wheeler yet.
I suspect purists will slam this because it has four wheels, but I welcome any innovation that will keep me on a “bike” as I get older and will eventually have to surender the 750 lb cruiser. certianly this looks way cooler than a trike.
When i get that old, please shoot me…
Bruno,
I know what you mean, but the reality is that although I’m fit and in fine health now at 47, at 77 or 87 it will be different, and if it’s a choice between doing twisties on an unusual contraption or sitting in a rocking chair, I’ll take riding.
It looks safer for street riding but I didn’t see turn signals…..although they may be in there somewhere. It could be better on the trails once you learn to master the technique….and change tires. I’m glad to see somebody with a REAL new concept.
If it could lean as far as a sport bike, and had the same sort of HP to weight ratio…. it would be something to consider.
I would buy it, I’m not a big fan of motorcycles, but i do ride quads and have been considering converting my yamaha raptor into a street legal quad.
Looks good and I like it a lot but…
The suspension in the front and in the back looks like a copy form three wheel tilting bicycle:
http://www.fastfwd.nl/eng/artikel-4.php
Lengths of various linkages are diferent but kinematic structure is the same.
Plus this bicycle was shown many years before Tessaract.
Id buy it but these kinda new things usually just cost too much. Id guess at least 20000 dollars. If its “normal”-priced id consider buying it.