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The 450cc Q.E.D. synopsis!
Concept road racer based on the universal 450cc single cylinder motocross unit and frame, available from all the main OEM’s – Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Yamaha, Suzuki, and coming soon from BMW and Buell. There is also a burgeoning demand for street versions of the ‘Supermoto’ style of bikes in future showrooms, already defacto in Europe, which increases the logic of such a racing class. This proposal and concept provides a better racing transition to the bigger capacity classes for young riders as well as club racers, than existing two-stroke 125cc race bikes, currently available only from KTM and Honda and only direct from the manufacturer at a price figure of between $20-50,000.00.
There were over 25,000 450cc singles sold in US last year, adding to around 100,000 already in existence. Base price bikes new, are $6-7,500.00 and available used machines from $3,000.00 up, that will encourage the creative garage home mechanics – another necessary skill that is being bypassed by purchasing pure purpose built race bikes.
There is huge aftermarket availability for parts and speed equipment already in place, adding to market and sales value for OEMs, individual dealers and parts distributors. This also drives the potential for a broad base of support, sponsorship and team dollars.
Concept bike is a blueprint for a new ‘Pro-active’ AMA class that services the gap now between 125cc Two Strokes and below the 600cc Sportbike four cylinder machines.
Concept is designed to illustrate and PROVE the feasibility of building a 450cc road racer using OEM standard motocross frame and engine mounting, including sub frame and engine mounts. This keeps the cost down and due to the similarity of all current 450 machines, the playing field leveled with the pluses and minuses, the same for all. Only additions are road race front forks and fork crowns and a road race style rear shock, plus a fairing. Already Race Tech in California have a kit that converts MX forks and shocks to RR configuration, even retaining MX triple clamps! This is the ultimate ‘morphing’ of the most easily available frame/motor unit in modern times. Note: lesson from Dirt Track 450cc class, frame was optional, thus opening the door for expensive ‘custom’ frames and the need to buy the most competitive combination. Starting 2009 the Dirt Track rules will revert to OEM frames only – lesson learned!!
Basic rules will apply that specify use of current OEM 450 base bikes. Changes allowed will be choice of forks and rear shocks, using standard OEM frame, motor/gearbox and engine mounts. The suggested weight limited to 240 lbs dry, preventing use of unnecessary expensive exotic parts. Rules may include a ‘Black Box’ rpm limiter, to prevent hand grenade $20,000.00 motors, possibly DOT or spec tires and also unleaded 101 pump or spec fuel. Other parameters will be wheel and rim size of 17”, single front disc brake and allowance of slipper clutches that are readily available. Consideration will also be given to the Homologation of approved machines and parts. This class is designed to find and identify rider ability and mechanical skills, rather than being able to “buy” a strong right wrist!
Considerations for utilizing new 450cc Single Cylinder Class, versus 125cc two stroke class currently utilized in Europe.
Rightly or wrongly, current appetite for two strokes is limited. They are not perceived as ‘Green’ by government agencies, only manufactured by two OEMs (KTM and Honda) in limited numbers, not available through existing dealerships and lastly, have much less affinity to current four stroke racing classes. A 450cc single has more usable torque and a fatter power curve, therefore probably easier to ride for a beginner than a two stroke. With 60 bhp and 45 ft/lbs or torque and only 240 lbs weight, the power/weight ratio is similar to that of a production 600 Sportbike at 105 bhp and 400 lbs! A much better graduation curve to the big classes focusing on the basic lessons on corner speed , braking and exit skills. This class is NOT designed to supersede 125cc racing, but to bridge a gap to the bigger classes.
The suggestion of using 450cc Singles is the appeal of racing something that is sold, has cognitive perception relative to the available market to the masses and has a built in affinity and recognition factor to the motorcycle fan in the stands, ‘a la NASCAR.’ A return to ‘Capacity Class Racing’ as opposed to Nomenclature definitions and non defined four ‘four cylinder’ classes, that has the public totally confuse (Viz) 125 Red Bull Rookies Cup, 450 Super Singles Manufacturer’s Cup, 600 Supersport and 1000cc Superbike definitions attached to the relative description such as ‘Superbike’ etc. Additional bonus of distinct sounds and sights!
There is much more likely support in the future from OEMs, motorcycle dealers and aftermarket companies. A 450cc series would relate much more to the viewing public. Consideration can be given to the introduction of a new class in 2009 in AMA Nationals, under strict rules and guidelines, with a strong contingency plan through OEM and aftermarket companies to support it. A true challenge of rider ability, not bike manufacturer, but embraced by all brands, their dealers and distributors, eliminating the lack of interest on the basis of “It’s not our brand” which is the bane of single brand classes.
This does not supersede the 125c classes currently being run, but gives a new option for budding racers. Also, the average ‘Millennium’ teenager, or even club racer of any stripe these days, who can barely fit under the paint on a 125 racer unless they are 5’2” and weigh in at less than 150 lbs! The base line of this class regarding chassis accommodates 200lb plus riders and those of 6’ in stature.
Future considerations: Slipper clutch, Wheel/rim size parameters, Overall weight with rider, proprietary gear clusters/ratios when available, and future considerations for ’08 models. Also homologation of bikes and parts…
Note: This projected was self funded by the aforementioned, not by OEM or aftermarket companies, thus enabling a clean and generic concept designed to keep the genie in the bottle from the outset.
Gavin Trippe
Note: This first concept bike has been track tested in raw form by veteran skilled racers as well as a target 16 year old aspiring rider, the result of which was “It works and handles like a race bike, looks like a race bike and not just a Supermoto bike with a fairing. Good corner speed, braking and traction with minimal ‘chatter’, right out of the box! Exclaimed one ‘Gixxer’ club racer, “I’m parking this pig, this is much more fun!”
Q.E.D. Quod erat demonstrandum!
The Romans had a word for it which literally translated from Latin means “that which was to be demonstrated”. A formal way of ending logical proof! In a lighter vein “Oh dear” says God, “I hadn’t thought of that” and promptly vanished in a puff of logic! - Douglas Adams, from a “Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”
Just having fun… this isn’t Rocket Science or the cure for global warming! But we did suggest unleaded gas and good gas mileage…. Maybe qualify for some of Al Gore’s Carbon offset credits against Superbikes…. |
