A V-10 Motorcycle
January 6, 2003 5:42 PM   Subscribe

The Dodge Tomahawk V-10 Motorcycle. It's a concept vehicle - a 500hp Viper V-10 engine strapped to two (fat) wheels. Certainly an eye-catcher. Press release here.
posted by kokogiak (64 comments total)
 
The Tomahawk features four-wheel independent suspension, and the superbike's engine, borrowed from the Viper sports car, can propel it at speeds of nearly 400 mph.

I'd like to:

1.See it run at Bonneville.
2.Buy the guy a beer for having cojones enough to ride the thing at more than 250 mph.
posted by machaus at 5:46 PM on January 6, 2003


I have to laugh at this quote "This is for people who are passionate about engines." (from here) Based on the way the rider sits astride that thing, one could get very passionate indeed.
posted by kokogiak at 5:48 PM on January 6, 2003


What makes me think that the market for these is going to be approximately the same as that of the Viper and other power cars -- balding, sexually insecure men. :-)
posted by oissubke at 5:59 PM on January 6, 2003


Ha! It's Werner's Porsche Killer!

Besser is das! The losers get pelted with catshit! Bleifreies Bier!
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 6:02 PM on January 6, 2003


Eat your heart out, Kaneda.
posted by mr_roboto at 6:03 PM on January 6, 2003


Is it as cool as this? 1,000 HP!! V-16 Engine!!! $250,000!!!!!
posted by jonson at 6:03 PM on January 6, 2003


That isn't a motercycle, it's a suicide note.
posted by elwoodwiles at 6:09 PM on January 6, 2003


It looks like somebody at Dodge has been watching too much anime.

Four. Hundred. Miles. Per. Hour. On a motorcycle.

You would die a horrible, horrible death.

Oh, and I love it. Yay Dodge!
posted by Jonasio at 6:10 PM on January 6, 2003


Where did that fast vehicle = sexual inadequacy thing start anyway? Can no one love the rush of driving a powerful machine unless their penis doesn't work? Anyway, very neat. I'd love to take a ride, but I say that from a chair in my living room.
posted by Nothing at 6:36 PM on January 6, 2003


That thing must be completely undriveable. Immagine having to take a corner, you can't very well lean into the turn because of its 2 rear wheels and (by the looks of it) far too high centre of gravity. Is it only meant to be driven in a straight line?
posted by Space Coyote at 6:40 PM on January 6, 2003


Space Coyote, the article says that it has four-wheel independent suspension, which means that the two wheels in each pair can move vertically independently of each other. This would allow both sides of each pair to remain in contact with the ground when banking into a turn.
posted by George_Spiggott at 7:01 PM on January 6, 2003


Boss Hoss (skip intro) has been doing this for a while with their V-8 engines.
posted by botono9 at 7:08 PM on January 6, 2003


Wile E. Coyote could not be reached for comment.
posted by Optamystic at 7:13 PM on January 6, 2003


Uh, how is a four-wheel vehicle a motorcycle?

Crotch rocket, sure. Motorcycle, no.
posted by NortonDC at 7:14 PM on January 6, 2003


Well, it's not a Norton, anyway.

:P
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:24 PM on January 6, 2003


Great. Now a motorcycle that probably gets less than 10 mpg.

What will American engineers dream up next?
posted by drstrangelove at 7:25 PM on January 6, 2003


From the press release: The Viper-powered Dodge Tomahawk concept vehicle shatters all the barriers
of conventional thinking about personal transportation.
I prefer the "conventional" idea that the odds of death while using said personal transporter should be substantially lower than 1 outta 3.
posted by samuelad at 7:34 PM on January 6, 2003


What will American engineers dream up next?

well, the new H2 Hummer is selling like hotcakes and gets about 10.1 mpg. thanks GM!
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 7:38 PM on January 6, 2003


Two things:

1. This should win the Darwin Award for technical excellence.

2. Top speed of 400mph? Would that be without the rider who got ripped off with the wind shear at 300?
posted by aaronscool at 7:44 PM on January 6, 2003


Yeah aaronscool, I was thinking you'd need some sort of extra friction - like a suction device to secure the rider to the vehicle (furthering the sexual innuendo, of course).
posted by kokogiak at 7:48 PM on January 6, 2003


I love the Humvee, but damn that H2 is an ugly car.

Fuel consumption comments are valid though -- I'd love one of the US$1million hybrid Humvees.

http://www.evworld.com/archives/reports/humvee99.html

A whole 16 mpg.
posted by krisjohn at 8:01 PM on January 6, 2003


The H2 jives with the war-mongering, pro-military stance of many Americans, content to fight the war from their armchairs, watching Fox News. Of course, these same folks aren't eager to dirty their hands in an actual war, but at least they can pretend to be warriors as they suck down Middle-East oil.
posted by drstrangelove at 8:11 PM on January 6, 2003


four-wheel suspension or no, just so much as touching the handlebars in one direction or another at any kind of speed wil throw the driver clean off the thing..
posted by Space Coyote at 8:20 PM on January 6, 2003


Would that be without the rider who got ripped off with the wind shear at 300?

No, I think the mandatory teflon underwear, chain-mail and steel full body armor would keep him on that....that.....thing!
posted by hama7 at 8:30 PM on January 6, 2003


The H2 jives with the war-mongering, pro-military stance of many Americans, content to fight the war from their armchairs, watching Fox News. Of course, these same folks aren't eager to dirty their hands in an actual war, but at least they can pretend to be warriors as they suck down Middle-East oil.
Anyways...
posted by jmd82 at 8:44 PM on January 6, 2003


A friend of mine was riding a normal crotch-rocket, took it up well over 100 just for kicks, then took a quick look behind him. Trouble is, he was going so fast the wind pinned his helmet - he couldn't turn his head back around to the front.

Says he just let off on the gas, drifted to a stop, sat down on the shoulder, and cried. Then he sold the bike.
posted by gottabefunky at 8:58 PM on January 6, 2003


I foresee an increase of organ donations once this thing hits the showroom.
posted by sillygit at 9:03 PM on January 6, 2003


Never happen. Hit the showroom that is. This is a cobbled together "concept", to spin their image and get people to auto shows.
posted by JohnR at 9:14 PM on January 6, 2003


I want a motorcycle with an indestructable roll cage. So I'm a pansy.
posted by mecran01 at 9:20 PM on January 6, 2003


I ride a crotch rocket, and I've always felt like a fighter pilot flying with jumbo jets. I guess the rider of this would be an astronaut?
posted by letitrain at 9:27 PM on January 6, 2003


mecran01: will a scooter do? no? it's a Beamer...
posted by tss at 9:33 PM on January 6, 2003


Wow. What a @$@%! bike. I can't believe the sheer stature of it.. i want one. i wouldn't live to see 23, but i want one.

If we're talking about insanely impractical bikes, what about the Y2K Turbine? 230hp @ 52,000rpm.. I can only imagine the sound this thing puts out, at an affordable $185,000. And you thought your rubber belt Harley was expensive.

I was just ranting and bitching about the H2's emissions yesterday to my girlfriend, and man- this and Cadillac's Sixteen are showing that the American "supersized" consumer appetite shows no signs of letting up.

I'm still waiting on a motorcycle manufacturer to create a mass production model of Kaneda's bike from Akira. I'd buy one. And if i can have that... can I also have my own YF-19? I've got a big back yard ;)
posted by shadow45 at 9:43 PM on January 6, 2003


I don't know if the car manufacturer's can be blamed for the supersize cars. Here's the deal - you can already buy hybrid and high mileage cars. They're available from nearly every manufacturer. People don't want to buy those cars. They want Escalades. Ergo...

And I don't think it's meant to be driven 400mph - the acceleration is what really matters and I'm sure it's ridiculously awesome on that bike.
posted by Kevs at 11:45 PM on January 6, 2003


All we need now is Judge Dredd to come forward and claim the bike as his.
posted by FidelDonson at 2:35 AM on January 7, 2003


People don't want to buy those cars. They want Escalades.

Indeed, but which cars are getting the lion's share of the manufacturer's advertising budget?
posted by astirling at 3:25 AM on January 7, 2003


the acceleration is what really matters and I'm sure it's ridiculously awesome on that bike.

A less expensive way to experience similar acceleration is to step on a land mine.
posted by George_Spiggott at 4:14 AM on January 7, 2003


A less expensive way to experience similar acceleration is to step on a land mine.

That might be more dangerous though. Why don't other US auto manufacturers come close to matching Chrysler in the cool concept vehicles? "Cool" here meaning "looks like that thing I drew in 6th grade."
posted by yerfatma at 5:09 AM on January 7, 2003


TRON anyone? As some friends said yesterday about the V-16 Caddy (which could equally be applied to this) - "That is everything that's wrong with America wrapped up into one object" and in response "It's mere existence will inspire terrorist attacks."

oi.
posted by bkdelong at 5:13 AM on January 7, 2003


Does anyone else think that it looks like a riding lawnmower in this picture?

I ride a cruiser. Big, shiny, and loud. It goes plenty fast.
posted by jbelshaw at 5:29 AM on January 7, 2003


This is going to be a great opportunity for all those people awaiting kidneys, livers, etc.

Seriously, a buddy works in a transplant center and claims the docs are quietly opposed to mandatory helmet laws. It seems that is where they get their best organs.
posted by ednopantz at 6:18 AM on January 7, 2003


Sooooooo cooooooool. I want one. Yeah, the 400mph top speed is completely outside the realm of possibility, but the acceleration.... that thing could probably liquify its rear tires in just a few seconds.

Gah, I'm salivating over here.

And all you green tightwads can bite me. Keep using your hybrids and bikes, just saves more gas for me. :P
posted by jammer at 6:24 AM on January 7, 2003


It's got the testosterone factor going for it, all right, but for sheer geek factor, I kind of liked the concept of Wankel-engine powered motorcycles like this or this. Too bad they never caught on. Smooth acceleration, QUIET, great fuel economy...sigh
posted by alumshubby at 7:02 AM on January 7, 2003


gottabefunky: that's absolute BS. I take my bike over 100mph quite often, as do most people that ride crotch rockets. What your friend told you just isn't true. He probably just froze up. Trust me on this one.

Secondly, the 400mph is a BS figure given out and promoted to give 10yo boys a hardon. That bike will never see anything close to 400mph.

Third, there's a couple of crotch rockets on the road RIGHT NOW that can do a little over 200mph BONE STOCK, and they cost only about 10,000 USD.

Fourth, 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds is about what 10,000USD bikes available at your local dealer do. Not impressive.

And lastly, the horsepower figure is completely overblown and pointless if weight vehicle is not taken into account. A 200hp 250lbs motorcycle is way more impressive than the bike above.

Witold
My bike - Yamaha R6
posted by Witold at 7:14 AM on January 7, 2003


Also, check out this link.

1/4 mile times - cars vs bikes

This give you an idea of just how fast sportbikes can be. This is especially cool when you keep in mind the price/performance ratio. Most bikes cost less than 10K USD, and there are very few that cost more than 20K USD.
posted by Witold at 7:32 AM on January 7, 2003


While this sounds very cool, I am guessing owning one automatically cancels any life and disability insurance one may have. As for the organ donation comment, I am guessing the organs will be too scrambled to donate...
posted by MediaMan at 8:05 AM on January 7, 2003


MediaMan, surprisingly, riding a motorcycle doesn't cancel your life insurance policy. Some life insurance policies exlude skydiving, but not motorcycling.... (Even though motorcycling is more risky)

Witold
posted by Witold at 8:10 AM on January 7, 2003


High speed stunts and jackassery aside, the main risk to motorcyclists are idiot drivers.

"Sorry ossifer, I didn't see him. I was too busy eating fastfood and talking on the phone while handlin' my Expedition to notice him under my wheels..."
posted by drstrangelove at 8:35 AM on January 7, 2003


gottabefunky: Trouble is, he was going so fast the wind pinned his helmet - he couldn't turn his head back around to the front.

Your friend was either lying or has a weak neck. Anyone who rides with a full-face helmet made in the last 20 years can turn his/her head around at well over 100mph on a motorcycle. I've been over 100mph on racetracks and have turned my head over the full range of motion. Sure, there's more resistance at 100+ than at 0, but it's easily doable.
Watch the racers check behind them at 130+ on Speedvision (race bikes dont have mirrors.)
posted by gen at 9:04 AM on January 7, 2003


Your helmet strap starts to choke you once you hit about 125.

Or so I've heard. (Although, on preview, I am sure I would have been able to turn my head, if I wasn't too chicken shit to look away from the road. Theoretically, of course.
posted by adampsyche at 9:09 AM on January 7, 2003


Three words:
Penis on wheels.
posted by togdon at 9:12 AM on January 7, 2003


togdon:

three words for you:
penis with keyboard
posted by jammer at 9:17 AM on January 7, 2003


This is going to be a great opportunity for all those people awaiting kidneys, livers, etc.

Seriously, a buddy works in a transplant center and claims the docs are quietly opposed to mandatory helmet laws. It seems that is where they get their best organs.


Uh... if you go off this thing at around 300 mph, there won't BE any organs left to donate... just soup.
posted by BobFrapples at 12:12 PM on January 7, 2003


You might like to know that this bike comes equipped with a secret little storage locker. What's inside? A clean pair of pants.
posted by Termite at 12:52 PM on January 7, 2003


Can you say Tron? Akira? I fell in love with motorcycles because of the concept designs of these movies. the future is now, get used to it.
posted by djseafood at 1:07 PM on January 7, 2003


Forget the hyperbole, I just want one. Just because.
posted by dg at 2:31 PM on January 7, 2003


See it in action! The video (300Kbps RealVideo stream) is here.
posted by shinybeast at 3:20 PM on January 7, 2003


Thanks for the link shinybeast - that was fun. It looks even bigger when you see it moving. It's like a very (powerful) small car that you ride on top of, instead of inside.
posted by kokogiak at 3:34 PM on January 7, 2003


While it is certainly ridiculous, it might be worth paying attention to as innovations in concepts vehicles occasionally do make their way into production versions.

Will we ever see a production Tomahawk with a Viper engine? Probably not, but we may one day see a more realistic 150 - 200 horsepower motorcycle using dual front and rear wheels with independent suspension. It may just be that really good idea that changes everything, or it may be a really bad one that is instantly written off and forgotten. i guess it all depends on what works best vs. what people want.

Either way, i think it looks nifty.
posted by quin at 3:51 PM on January 7, 2003


This is the sort of thing you buy when the doctor says you have six months left to live.
posted by Devils Slide at 4:53 PM on January 7, 2003


quin, the future is now. You can go to any sportsbike dealer in the US, and they already have 160hp bikes. And unlike the Dodge bike, bikes you can buy currently don't weigh a ton.

Witold
My sportsbike
posted by Witold at 4:55 PM on January 7, 2003


Witold: Yeah, i noticed in one of your links that the RSS Yamaha R17 pushes 160 HP (and nails a 9.8 1/4... _damn!_) But what i was more intrigued by was the concept of the dual front and rear tires. i have no idea if there would be any practical benefit, but it certainly would look cool.

My thinking was that if concept cars drive next generation technology, then it wouldn't be unreasonable to think that whatever value that they placed on such a radical departure from normal motorcycle design (like the dual tires) might be applicable to future designs which are as or more powerful than what we have today, but not as absurd as the Tomahawk.
posted by quin at 5:18 PM on January 7, 2003


How long do you expect it'll be before we see a TV show based on this thing?
posted by kindall at 7:47 PM on January 7, 2003


I long for the day when some of the Grand Prix sportbikes are available to the general public. Their exact power and specs is kept secret by the teams that put them together, but occasionally they disclose the specs of last year's bikes.

They tend to be around 220hp and weigh about 200lbs or so, which is absolutely incredible.
posted by Witold at 4:43 AM on January 8, 2003


This bike will travel back in time and kill you as a teenager.
posted by whuppy at 12:20 PM on January 9, 2003


« Older Mohair, Yourhair   |   Musto Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments