http://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/Yam...trac/Page1.htm

Hydraulic front drive is a reality on motorcycles, so why not adapt the technology to the sport quad??? Seems like the ticket for providing folks with light, sporty handling machines, but with the bail out potential of having 4wd in case you get into trouble out there on the trail. I think this is the answer for a true hybrid machine!

This post developed out of a discussion in another post------- http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...TARTPAGE/1.cfm

 

They ran this tech years ago in desert races, and yammi posted that info quite a few months ago.

Why not? Too expensive and possibly not powerful enough to make a worthwhile difference in a 400+pound atv. Draws heavily on engine power too.

 

Well, if it requires a lot of engne power, that is a problem that is easy enough to solve (just so long as you keep the power/weight ratio reasonable) . I have seen (recent) articles in the dirt bike mags about this technology, but can't say I payed much attention. But they were touting it as something that would revolutionize dirt bike riding!

 

Expense, complexity, heavy; no check that, VERY heavy, juice systems rob tons of power compaired to a mechanical system. Belts are bad enough. Juice system are not compatable with contamination. I could see big $$$$$'s in repair bills for those people that use their quads as boats.

 

Very heavy? Heavier than a front axle and diff, drive shaft, transfer case, IRS, etc., etc.? Every wonder why a Polaris has to weigh a ridiculous 700+ pounds???

You are acting like this is something that the dirt bikers have tried, and discarded. Like I said, I haven't followed this issue carefully, but the impression I have gotten is that the tech is pretty solid, although perhaps not ready for the mass market. The test rides seemed pretty positive as I racall. And, if I recall correctly, Honda has a system as well (???). Even if it added 50 pounds to a sport bike, that is less than the freaking racks weigh on a utility.

 

I just wish some manufacturer would give it a try, Yamaha seems to be the closest. People can nay-say on these boards all they want but the fact is none have expierience with THIS system developed by Yamaha so how can they say it is too heavy, robbs, to much power, etc. Imagine how many said they can not land on the moon.

 

Where is the "roll eyes" smiley when you need it.

Why do you think Yamaha didnt start building these and selling them to consumers after successful runs in rally races? Why are they only now building a handful only to be sold to race teams. Maybe because its something that may not be best for the consumer market, or needs years and millions in R&D, or needs to be cheaper to justify mass production...

 

Hey reconranger. Thats a good question. Honda has come the closest with their Hondamatic. I don't think that technically, there is any reason why it cannot be done. It maybe that they would have to think of a way to make it cost effective. The cleanest way would be to mount an integral variable volume hydraulic motor in each wheel. Then mount a variable volume pump on the engine. Weight could be saved by braking with the hydraulic motors. No need for disc brakes. A inexpensive hall speed sensor on each wheel would allow an ECU to route fluid where it is required. Another freebee of the hydraulics would be anti-lock brakes, torque sensing AWD and anti sliding/rollover (like the expensive cars!!). Seems to me a great idea that people would pay for.
Bryce

 

And?

 

I don't have to know THIS system. Pure physics says this is going to use a ton of power and be heavy to boot. Juice systems are nothing new. The old Cushman trackster used it. The constant high RPM of the motor was very annoying.
When you use oil in an hydraulic system it will get hot. The more torque you put to a hydraulic system the more heat you need to deal with. The only way to deal with this heat is some type of evaporator or have a lot of oil in a very large tank. Either one of these will cause weight issues.
Can it be done? Sure!!! Will anyone want it? Lets just say no investment money from me.
And just imagine, the big 3 auto makers said in the 50's that all cars would be nuclear power and we would need no oil to make gas. Imagine how many people believed in the 100mpg carburetor also.

Totogoats never caught on because they were overly complicated. Same thing with quad steering in autos.
Model T's and Honda caught on because they were very simple and everybody wanted one.
That's my analogy for the night.