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WRX-powered Kickboxer motorcycle render

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:00 pm
by Mr Kleen
Rendered for Your Pleasure: Subaru WRX-powered Kickboxer motorcycle concept
Autoblog wrote:There's a longstanding tradition of using horizontally-opposed boxer engines in motorcycles – and not just from BMW – the flat configuration has found a home in a slew of two-wheelers ranging from Russia's Ural to the current Honda Goldwing. So, it's not too much of a stretch to wonder how Subaru's well-known flat-four engine would work in a bike.

At least one man has decided to find out. According to The Kneeslider, Ian McElroy taught himself Solidworks just so he could create the KickBoxer motorcycle concept, which marries the aforementioned liquid-cooled boxer engine from Subaru to a futuristic motorcycle chassis that features single-sided swingarms front and rear along with hub-center steering.

We're not entirely sold on some of the details, but it sure looks like fun. Even a bone-stock turbocharged WRX powerplant should equal a rather favorable power-to-weight ratio, wouldn't you say? At this point, the KickBoxer exists only on paper and computer files, but McElroy says he'd love to see the machine put into small-scale production. As would we.
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Re: WRX-powered Kickboxer motorcycle render

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:11 am
by Cereb Daithi
That looks.... scary...

And since everyone else is thinking it...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmKcM8B2ToY

Re: WRX-powered Kickboxer motorcycle render

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:42 am
by complacent
I have no idea what you mean... :lol:

Dimensionally, it looks about as usable as that bike that had a viper motor in it. While I'm sure it can be enjoyed in a straight line, in moderately cool weather for a relatively short period of time - i wouldn't necessarily consider this anything more viable than a concept motorcycle at best.

Re: WRX-powered Kickboxer motorcycle render

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:27 am
by Mr Kleen
yeah, it looks cool but also looks like it has a very high center of gravity. :ugh:

Re: WRX-powered Kickboxer motorcycle render

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:13 pm
by Sabre
Shockingly, it doesn't do it for me. I keep thinking "Busa motors are much lighter and will put out almost as much HP". I suppose that isn't the point of it. As an engineering marvel though, it's pretty interesting.