"Orthodoxy is not destiny"
Via: Faster and faster
"Dan Gurney, founder of Dan Gurney Alligator Motorcycles latest project – the Alligator Instigator – which has been developed by Dan and his son Justin.
While the earlier Alligator was powered by a 670cc, single-cylinder Honda engine, the Instigator is fitted with a 2032cc S&S V-twin, which is much bigger and more powerful than any engine previously used on Alligator motorcycles. The feet-forward design, however, is the same as before and the very low seat height provides a very low centre of gravity, which is said to help handling in a very big way.
‘Conventional sportbikes are tall, with short wheelbases to make them turn quickly. This limits their acceleration and braking by making them prone to wheelies and stoppies. Gurney's concept has some extra wheelbase that may slow steering somewhat, but its centre of gravity – another important aspect of swift turning – is so low that the Alligator flicks into corners very quickly,’ said Kevin Cameron, when he rode a Gurney Alligator bike back in 2000, for Cycle World magazine. ‘Under acceleration and braking, the Alligator's lower centre of gravity and longer wheelbase allow it to generate higher peak values without lifting its wheels. And why not? Orthodoxy is not destiny.
The Gurneys plans to build around 50 units of the Instigator."
1 comment:
I disagree . low center of gravity doesn't mean anything .
the lower the COG the lighter the bike feels while standing . but when it comes to corners , the lower the COG is , the farther you have to lean - the wider the wheel have to be . if you have a virtual bike with COG at ground level - you couldn't turn at all , because the cog would stay above the point touching the ground . so the higher it is , the faster you can move around a corner at the same lean angle . I for one vote on big trail bikes . for example the Caponord
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