Tires and Wheels

[AZEqualizer]

Back on 7/25/07 I had posted

Ian had said they were also going to Michelin to see where they were in the development of the airless wheel /tire.
Michelin Airless Scooter (http://www.michelin.com/corporate/actualites/en/actu_affich.jsp?id=16448&lang=EN&codeRubrique=58) in a forum discussion about tires and wheels on the V1


AZEqualizer is correct. I'm speaking with "Tweel" inventor Steve Cron at Michelin. The airless Tweel would seem to make the most sense for the VentureOne since you wouldn't be carrying an onboard spare. The big questions are performance and availability. Posted on Official VV site: 2007-07-27 20:09:24 # (http://flytheroad.com/blog/forums/topic.php?id=328&replies=25#post-4625)

Here is some further info.
Tweel (http://onemansblog.com/2007/08/31/michelin-tweel-the-airless-tire/)

Michelin's Airless Motorcycle tire/wheel (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2005/11/17/michelin-airless-motorcycle-tires/)

I hope Michelin is far enough along on this that the discussions with VV will allow these products on the V1 - if it is practicle.... man it would sure be cool and a good safety / convenience device.

[RAN]

Those yellow bands look horrible lol. But, if they can make the tire part in different colors, one can only hope the same holds true for the bands.

[rogwild]

I would 'hope' that the yellow color is just to better show the 'details of the Tweel construction' and not a 'fashion statement'. All black would not let the Tweel features be as visible to spectators at the auto show.

[AZEqualizer]

That was supposed to be another added advantage ... they could be made in any color or even color combo's. They have some new tires (of the more standard type) that can come in other colors but no one has produced them except for autoshows (to my knowledge)

[RAN]

I'm all for any improved front motorcycle tires. IMO, the only reason they haven't rushed these to market is, once they sell them to everyone, they won't wear out fast enough!

[Helgi]

Hi Guys

Thought I'd de-lurk again to offer up another high tech solution. (Plus flytheroad.com is down)

Hubless wheels http://www.osmoswheel.com/index.asp?lang=en (http://www.osmoswheel.com/index.asp?lang=en)

Now the manufacturer is making a lot of claims from increased breaking efficiency to reduced stress and vibration but you never know if a designer / manufacturer is stretching the truth or not.

At least one bike shop has spent US$150,000 getting one of these onto a custom Harley ( http://www.howardshubless.com/ (http://www.howardshubless.com/) ) so this almost certainly will cost this out of the initial design if VV is going to hit their production cost mark. But I though it was interesting.
:)

[Iceman]

I have been researching tires and wheels, and I had found one idea, that through a lot of testing, MPG of the vehicle was proven to be increased significantly by covering the spokes with a semi flexible disc eliminating any drag created by airflow from one side of the tire to the other. I'll post a picture if I can find a suitable one so you can see the concept. The concept is very simple though.