Hub-center steering has been the domain of motorcycle concept machines for a not so insignificant amount of time now. We have all seen them, on paper, online or at a rally or show, but only a few of them have actually made it to the roads and tracks of the world.
The Yamaha GTS1000 and Bimota Tesi are good examples of models we can actually purchase, if you can find and afford them. In the realm of motorcycle racing, though, there have been many attempts at competing with the exotic assembly in place of the standard fork, but not many have done well enough to keep them in serious contention.
However, the relatively new class of Moto2 - part of the FIM MotoGP World Championship - which puts bespoke chassis around a spec Honda engine, has presented the opportunity for this radical front end technology to return to the top tier of motorcycle racing once again. Vyrus has announced that they will be the first to make that jump into the spotlight.
In the premier world racing series, hub-centered steering has not been seen since the 500cc Elf3 Honda with which Ron Haslam raced in the 1980’s. It was originally hoped that Moto2 entrants would make some attempt to create new or exotic frames and suspension setups for the new series, but most that entered went the conventional route. There was even a Moto2-spec race
replica built to honor Haslam, but even it was simply equipped with a standard front fork. Vyrus is the first chassis builder to take on the task of using something radical to try for the Moto2 Championship. The 2011 season will see their 986 M2 Moto2 with hub-centered steering enter the class and compete against the entire world.
The M2 will be powered by the class-standard Honda 600cc engine, but the rest of the bike will all be from the minds of the engineers at the world-renowned Italian company. At present there is no word on who will ride the machine, but that is expected to be known very soon. In fact, precious few details have been given, so it is assumed that the frame is still in the midst of development. About all that has been disclosed are some concept art and the front hub-steering design.
Word is, though, that you will be able to buy one of these for yourself. The Vyrus 986 M2 will be available for purchase in September of 2011 for an estimate of US$34,000 (€25,000) – that price has been confirmed at least twice so far. This does indicate that there is now a phenomenal opportunity for a privateer to actually join the FIM Championship with a fine chassis exhibiting advanced technology.
The potential is there, and there are other series where the bike may compete, so Vyrus may have hit upon a brilliant idea – a professional race bike for an affordable price. Power to the (gainfully employed) masses!
