Tomahawk chop(pped)? - The Type 1

Always coveted Dodge's Viper-engined Tomahawk, the spectacular bike-cum-car concept that shocked the media at 2003's NAIAS? A limited production run was subsequently announced, but we're betting you don't have one layed up in your garage. Point-of-fact, we're not sure if any ever found their way into private hands, because as of yet, nobody's has the stones to roll up to Autoblog Towers and offer theirs for a test spin. Regardless, perhaps we've got a better shot with the Type 1 seen here. Though this bit of metallic design-school confectionry similarly straddles the world between automobile and motorcycle, it reputedly was conceived prior to the Tomahawk's debut. Regardless, it can be seen as the predictable result of a design student's interning at Hot Wheels, IDEO. Well, that a few hundred sleepless nights spent watching Star Wars reruns and twirling a certain pizza cutter.
The tube-framed wonder is a runner, with a 600 cc DOHC motor cribbed from a 1990 Yamaha FZR, providing an estimated 91 horsepower through its six-speed transmission. Both sets of wheels are canted at 60 degrees and negative 60 degrees relative to the ground, giving the bike its distinctive stance and 'lean' potential. A rear double swing-arm suspension and dual stressed leaf-style connecting rods form the suspension, both with the 'tilt enable.'
No word on performance, but judging by the video available on the Type 1's dedicated website, turning might be an issue, with a full-on, knee-to-the-tarmac corner likely an exercise best left to the brave (or crazy).












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Proud Japanese 9:11AM (2/03/2006)
Typical American thinking:
We can't make Cars and Motorcycles that handle well and are sophisticated as the Japanese and European counterparts, so let's just stick a bigger engine in!!! Who needs to turn anyway. To hell with handling. It's all about straight line performance and going around a circle for 200 laps.
For that reason alone, Dodge Tomahawk is a massive pile of overhyped rubbish
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J 11:29AM (2/03/2006)
how the hell do those wheels make any sense? its the worst of both worlds, its gonna have the body roll of a car, but with the contact patch of a motorcycle.
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DDNO 11:45AM (2/03/2006)
Looking at the video, the Type 1 has a absolutely terrible turn cycle, which is expected from a vehicle so long and narrow.
But an interesting concept nonetheless. . .
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Lee Gibson 12:21PM (2/03/2006)
I think Proud Japanese is really that guy Paul.
They're both kinda silly.
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Lee Gibson 12:24PM (2/03/2006)
That's a pretty silly design.
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Rence 1:24PM (2/03/2006)
oh how good are we all at complaining.. silly this, silly that. Remember people, the most silly things in life are often the most fun ;)
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Stanley Parker 4:06PM (2/03/2006)
What a nice design. I find it cool.
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Adam 10:45PM (2/04/2006)
Yo, the idea isn't for it to be rideable. It was a concept, and idea, to make people think. To inspire people. I bet the the first motorcycle ever created that ran on steam, looked retarded too, but you don't complain when a hayabusa can do 210 MPH with the wire cut, or when a brand new ZO6 Corvette has 500 HP do you. Its an IDEA. Don't think I dont like Japanese stuff either, cause I ride a Suzuki.
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