Motorcycles

Yamaha's OR2T leaning four-wheeler R&D prototype hits the track

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The OR2T research and development prototype is a display of Yamaha's leaning multi-wheeled suspension technology
Yamaha
The OR2T research and development prototype is a display of Yamaha's leaning multi-wheeled suspension technology
Yamaha
The Yamaha OR2T prototype in action
Yamaha
Yamaha's first official images of the OR2T prototype are actually screenshots of the video release
Yamaha
The Tesseract concept model was an indication of Yamaha's future plans
Yamaha
The central shock absorber that the Tesseract employs in the front has been substituted in the OR2T with separate shocks for each wheel
Yamaha
The Yamaha OR2T takes the Tesseract suspension setup to a new level, by offering an independent shock absorber to each front wheel
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While its MWT-9 three-wheeled concept was making headlines at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show last week, Yamaha discreetly released a video of another similar prototype it has in development. The OR2T has four wheels and suspension technology evolving from the 2007 Tesseract concept model.

When Yamaha unveiled the Tesseract four-wheeled concept at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show in 2007 the market of leaning multi-wheeled vehicles (LMW) was just hatching. Piaggio had just introduced the MP3 in 2006 as a unique scooter with an intricate suspension system that allowed the two front wheels to tilt while cornering.

Since then several other manufacturers have followed suit, with Swiss company Quadro and French Peugeot each joining the club with their own designs. A common denominator for Yamaha, Piaggio and Quadro was the Italian Studio Marabese Design that had conceived all three different front suspension setups – and actually owns Quadro. The latter also ventured into four-wheelers with the Quadro 4, which is still the only four-wheeled LMW in production.

Yamaha responded in 2013 with the Tricity three-wheeled 125 cc scooter, which featured a new suspension concept that was quite different from every other LMW contraption, including the company's own Tesseract. Another year on and the Tricity went into production, and was an instant success in Europe.

The MWT-9 concept that Yamaha unveiled last week in Tokyo is more or less another take on the Tricity setup, sporting wider wheel track and a massive arm to control the four forks that suspend the front of the bike. Powered by the 847 cc inline triple-cylinder engine of the MT-09 (FZ-09), this concept was designed as a large sport touring LMW – one might also say it's a direct response to Honda's Neowing concept.

What Yamaha is teasing us with now, though, is much more than a MWT-9 with a fourth wheel. In fact the OR2T development prototype brings forth a suspension arrangement that we hadn't seen again since the 2007 Tesseract concept.

The Yamaha OR2T takes the Tesseract suspension setup to a new level, by offering an independent shock absorber to each front wheel

Instead of having suspension units on each wheel controlled centrally by a swing arm, here we have a huge vertical arm per wheel connecting it to its own independent shock absorber and linkage. As an evolution of the Tesseract's design, the centrally-positioned shock of the 2007 concept model has been substituted by two shocks, one for each wheel.

The OR2T is referred to as a research and development prototype, as the video that Yamaha has just released offers a glimpse of this LMW during testing. Powered once again by what appears to be the MT-09 triple, this new prototype sports a considerably smaller wheel track in comparison to the Tesseract. The rear setup is not visible in the video and accompanying images, neither is it explained in the few words that Yamaha has on offer. Judging by what we can extract from the available visual material, it probably retains the same central shock absorber architecture of the Tesseract.

What we can say with certainty, though, is that Yamaha now has two different LMW technologies in development, one already in production and another on the way. Both the MTW-9 and the OR2T concepts are much more than 3D renders or exhibition mock-ups; they are fully working prototypes.

The video below is the official Yamaha release that informed us of the OR2T prototype's existence.

Source: Yamaha

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12 comments
DonKirkwood
"Judging by what we can extract from the available visual material, it probably retains the same central shock absorber architecture of the Tesseract." Doubt it, you can clearly see the rear wheels moving independently over the bump at the start of the video.
Buzzclick
Lots more rubber in kontaqt with the pavement so the grip will be huge, right?
At speed, with a 2-wheel setup, you can bank at deeper angles in the turns and take them at a faster clip. With these quads that angle is limited, so easy on the throttle. The extra weight don't help neither.
Dan English
Curious if it will stand upright without the side stand or maybe the wheels are too close to one another?
Charlie, Galway
Hope she's not too hard on tyres...4 ouch.
Wolf0579
Why??? Trying to make a motorcycle into a four-wheeled vehicle?!? I'm already splitting my sides, laughing whenever I see one of those motorized tricycles for adult-size babies, those "can-ams, I think they call them.
SeraffimoSpang
How heavy is this thing? 2 extra wheels and all that suspension has to weigh a ton. If I want heavy, I'll buy a Harley. (God forbid)
Craig Jennings
"Testing high speed cornering characteristics" If that's high speed then I guess we can say it doesn't have more wheels to go anywhere faster. You can ride over a large snake on the road sideways easier, now I see. It's for the Amazonian sport bike fanatics.
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is really neat.
Bob
What is e purpose? Going over railroad tracks diagonally or making a motorcycle as heavy and complicated as possible?
Zachary E. Mohrmann
Another expensive knock off of the Tomahawk...! Something nobody needs and really just I candy for the rich with nothing better to do with their money...! Better off to a charity...!