The Most Unconventional Production Motorcycles

PH850806 • May 16, 2024

The ingredients that make the best motorcycles for learner riders at a motorcycle driving school are familiarity, stability and controllable levels of speed, which does not just mean a small engine but easy manoeuvrability.


There are plenty of fantastic entry-level motorbikes available from manufacturers such as Honda, BMW, Suzuki and Triumph, but there are also quite a few models that are somewhat more left-field, to say the least.


This can be rather novel for expert riders but potentially very dangerous for a new rider, so with that in mind, here are some production bikes that have designs that can catch out a new rider.


Royal Enfield Taurus

Ostensibly, there is little that sets the Taurus apart from other bikes made by Royal Enfield, however, its biggest difference and selling point is the exact quality that makes it a nasty surprise for new riders and why it is no longer sold.


The Taurus was nicknamed “Bullet Diesel” because, unlike practically any other motorbike in history, it was powered by a diesel engine, marketing the bike in countries such as India on the back of exceptional fuel economy.


The problem is that a diesel engine is not as refined as a petrol one, which whilst merely noisy in a car causes quite violent rattles and vibrations that could cause trouble for an inexperienced rider, even if they are used to the petrol version of the same bike.


Yamaha WR450F 2-Trac

On four wheels, all-wheel-drive is all the rage as it helps provide superior grip and traction in more difficult conditions, but Yamaha wondered if it would work when the number of wheels was cut in half.


The 2-Trac was a fascinating motocross bike that feels quite different in a way that might catch a novice by surprise, particularly with a heavier set of handlebars, although once you get used to it it can feel even more familiar.


motorcycle driving school
by PH850806 09 May, 2024
Learning to ride a motorcycle at a driving school is in many respects about learning not only technique and control but also to trust yourself and the bike you are riding, and consistency is vital when it comes to safe riding. It is a lack of consistency in just one model that ultimately led a manufacturer to go bankrupt. The Italian name Bimota still exists as a part of Kawasaki, but up until 1997, it was seen as a name on the rise as it transitioned from modifying existing bikes and creating motorcycles for other companies and breaking out on its own as a constructor. It had a strong legacy as a manufacturer of chassis but was mindful of the inroads Japanese manufacturers such as Kawasaki and Yamaha were making in the sport bike market, and wanted to create a bike made completely on their own. The result of this was the Bimota V Due, a 500cc two-stroke motorcycle made during a time when four-stroke engines were the standard in its class, but featuring a unique and very complex design. Initially designed as a Grand Prix bike, the V Due was the first two-stroke bike to have electronic fuel injection, featuring a dry clutch, a six-speed cassette gearbox and forced lubrication to allow for greater fuel economy and reduced emissions. The prototype models were well-regarded, but due to a lower budget and lack of appropriate parts, the bike was prone to oil leaks and intermittent power delivery, effectively making the bike unrideable and causing the entire first production run to be recalled. This recall, the expense of failing to fix the issue with the fuel injection system and losing a major sponsor of the manufacturer’s racing team in 2000 combined to bankrupt the company, and whilst the name has continued to exist, it has struggled with financial instability for over two decades.
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