Suzuki's weird retro-classic motorcycle of the 1990s

When you first seeing this two-wheeled vehicle figure, what's comes to your mind? You might see it as a unique-shaped two-wheeled vehicle that tends to be weird. Yes, it looks like a some-kind-of-motorcycle as the result of cross-breeding between a classic Italian scooter and a Japanese typical moped.

This unique motorcycle made by one of the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, Suzuki and launched in 1992 later known as the Suzuki SW-1. Indeed, the physical appearance of this motorcycle looks very strange for us, the people who live in modern times.

1992 Suzuki SW-1, one of the scarce and outlandish Japanese motorcycle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Qz6qbr)

Due to most of the two-wheeled vehicles like these usually were produced by the European or American motorcycle manufacturers back in the 1950s. But, this motorcycle was made in the 1990s, that's weird, isn't it? Let's take a look at the motorcycle. If you look at the rear section, it's like an Italian antique scooter, but on the front like a motorcycle in general.

This outlandish motorcycle concept design was done by Naoki Sakai and uniquely, the retro-futuristic themed motorcycle was awarded the 1992 Good Design Award. We wonder, so what's actually thought by this Japanese manufacturer while making this motorcycle.

1992 Suzuki SW-1 was the combined design result of the Italian scooter with the Japanese moped. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/336PvQ2)

Even more strange, if you know that the part shaped like the fuel tank in the front actually is a toolbox or luggage, instead the real fuel tank is under the seat such the one in a typical Japanese moped. And even more astonishing was the engine. It turns out that this unique-shaped motorcycle uses the GN-250 purely sport engine with a displacement of 250 cc and equipped with the SOHC system. Noted, the same engine was applied to the other 250 cc Suzuki-made motorcycles such as Suzuki GZ250, Suzuki TU250, Suzuki Thunder 250, etc.

1992 Suzuki SW-1 has a unique toolbox or luggage resembled a fuel tank and two on both sides. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/336PvQ2)

The engine is capable of spraying power up to 20 horsepower and 21 Nm of torque. But don't be wrong, just because you saw there are two exhausts sticking out on its left and right sides and then You think that the motorcycle's engine has two cylinders. That's because the motorcycle is adopted the Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber (TSCC) technology so that's why it has two exhaust outlets. Even, the motorcycle's final drive system also doesn't use the chains, but the belts which mated with the 5-speeds manual transmission system.

1992 Suzuki SW-1 used the GN-250 purely sport engine with a displacement of 250 cc. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rZEbbr)

The engine is mounted upright plus using an oil cooler, then the round-retro designed headlight, equipped with telescopic shock absorbers, then there's a trunk shaped like a fuel tank to the handlebar area and the instrument panel similar the one in the sport motorcycle. The funny thing is, this bike uses wings on either side of it as a moped.

This motorcycle also has unusual wheels size, for the front uses 16-inch rims, while the rear 15 inches. With a dry weight of up to 183 kg, so the Suzuki SW-1 is included in a big motorcycle. Hence, even though it is equipped with a derivative of a sports motorcycle engine that has a decent performance, but its top speed stuck at the numbers of 115 kph.

1992 Suzuki SW-1, a retro-designed motorcycle may only be one in Indonesia. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KDXYE4)

And don't ever think it's as a creative or crazy modified result motorbike, but it has actually been this way since it left the factory in 1992. Then, if you wanna ask whether these motorcycles are produced in a limited way? The answer could be 'Yes' and be 'No'. Due to actually, the motorcycle is produced only for the Japanese domestic market or commonly known as the Japan Domestic Model (JDM). So no wonder if these motorcycles were many seen in the Japan streets only.

When its launch in 1992, the company set at a fairly expensive price of 600 thousand Yen or equivalent to Rp.57 million for the motorcycle. By the combination of anti-mainstream designs, and high selling prices, that's natural if the motorcycle becomes a failed product because not many consumers buy it. Hence, the population was quite rarely and so made it as one of the targets of the retro vintage-themed motorcycle collectors.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORCYCLESPECS]

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Here's the Glickenhaus supercar for the next Le Mans racing season

Scuderia Glickenhaus, an American supercar manufacturer in September 2019 had shown a rendered images of its supercar figure which mentioned will compete for the 2020-2021 season in the WEP Hypercar class at the Le Mans circuit, France.

The company is known for commissioning the one-off Ferrari P4/5 supercar which was designed by Pininfarina. Then in the racing world, the American company has also well-known as a participant in various endurance racing events such as 24-Hours of Nurburgring between 2015 to 2017  with the Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG 003 (named after the company’s founder) cars.

Rendered image of 2019 SCG 007. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OwzzkI)

The supercar mentioned above will be named SCG 007 and as quoted by Autoexpress, that the American manufacturer has confirmed that the car will use a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. It seems, the car's engine is relatively small, but it has in accordance with the regulation of the WEC Hypercar class which limits engine power to only 750 horsepower. We thought that the number can be achieved with certain modifications.

From the rendering images, it's seen that the car appears with a new look aimed specifically at the WEP Hypercar class which will replace the current LMP1 class starting in 2020 as an effort to attract more manufacturers to take part in this race. In the current LMP1 class, only Toyota competes with various 'privateer' teams.

Rendered image of 2019 SCG 007. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OwzzkI)

Along with Glickenhaus, the British supercar manufacturer, Aston Martin has also confirmed its participation in the Le Mans race in the WEP Hypercar class by using a car based on Valkyrie. Aside from Toyota, Glickenhaus and Aston Martin, it is also known that Brabham and ByKolles are also interested in joining the inaugural WEC Hypercar class of the 2020-2021 Le Mans racing season. 

Furthermore, not only using it as a racing car of the upcoming WEC Hypercar class at Le Mans, but the Scuderia Glickenhaus will also sell those SCG 007 supercars in limited numbers.

"We used everything we learned from SCG 003 (a racing car which competed at the Nurburgring 24 hours), which is now SCG 004 (GT3/GT2 racing car) and will be part of SCG 007," said Jim Glickenhaus, CEO of Scuderia Gluckenhaus some time ago.

"We will build the racing version of SCG 007 as a prototype, with a design that is quite similar to the street version of the car, and we will make it more than 20 units. "It's not a problem, but we will make it more practical for ordinary roads," he said further. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GLICKENHAUS RACING | AUTOEXPRESS]
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Here it is Ferrari' hybrid sportscar

Ferrari, an Italian supercar manufacturer known for its automotive products that are synonymous with large-capacity engines and blaring engine sounds, now the company is exploring a new segment through the all-new Ferrari Roma sports coupe plug-in hybrid.

Ferrari has revealed the Ferrari Roma, an all-new model that slots in between the Ferrari Portofino and the Ferrari F8 Tributo in the brand’s line-up. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37h3bez)

It's estimated that Ferrari Roma will soon become a serious competitor to the Porsche 911, which also has the opportunity to attract new consumers, namely those who want to try out the sports coupe capabilities by using an environmentally friendly hybrid engine. 

As reported by AFP, Ferrari's Commercial Director Enrico Galliera said that the Roma was designed "for people who want to drive a sports car, or a Ferrari, but they are afraid of Ferrari and sports cars."

Ferrari Roma features a 612bhp V8 engine and a new interior design. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37h3bez)

The figure of the Ferrari Roma, which was debuted on Thursday, November 14, 2019, is the fifth car model introduced by the prancing horse logoed premium car manufacturer this year. But the car became the first model released under the Ferrari business plan for the next five years, which included electric and hybrid supercars. 

To support the performance of the Roma, the Italian premium car manufacturer still installs a powerful Ferrari engine, ie the 3.855cc V8 engine so that the car is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in just 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 341 kph. Then the transmission system uses an 8-speed DCT gearbox that is similar to the Ferrari SF90 Stradale.

What distinguishes it from other Ferrari models is that Roma's appearance tends to be more calm with a long front-facing snout, sharp headlights to the side, a lower A-pillar, and a minimalist rear end. The plan, Ferrari Roma will begin shipping to consumers in mid-2020 with an off-road selling price of the US. $220 thousand or equivalent to Rp. 3.1 billion. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARBUYER]

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Get to know about the BMW' first scooter

BMW, one of the German automotive giants, besides making various kinds of premium cars, also is known manufactures the topnotch motorcycles and scooters.

In the scooter segment, to date, BMW has marketed its newest BMW C650 GT scooter model. And you can see these BMW's big scooters have made its debut at the 2019 EICMA held in Milan some time ago.

The BMW R10 scooter never put into the production line and replaced by BMW Isetta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OnWsqB)

Meanwhile, if the automotive enthusiasts are given a question about the first scooter produced by BMW. Most of them will answer that the BMW C1 model which was produced from 2000 to 2002 is the first scooter made by this German manufacturer. That's not the right answer.

And the correct answer is the BMW R10 which was made in the 1950s. Yes, actually this German manufacturer had been started the scooter segment business nearly 67 years ago, were at that time (in 1953-1954) they made 2 unit scooters later known as BMW R10. Although only as a prototype, but is noted as the starting point of the German manufacturer in the scooter segment.

The BMW C1 was not the first BMW-made scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OnWsqB)

It seems, at the time BMW was also tempted by the success stories of Italian scooter manufacturers such as Piaggio and Innocenti. So they decided to follow in the footsteps of those two Italian manufacturers to dive into the scooter segment.
Unfortunately, the BMW R10 did not succeed in becoming the company's commercial product. The German automotive giant did not give a chance to these scooter-typed vehicles to appear widely in the world, and that might be the reason why it was forgotten then.😢

In the time, this BMW R10 scooter came with a design that is directed to a shape that slightly different than its German or Italian-made rival scooters that existed at that time such as Vespa, Lambretta or Heinkel, etc.

The BMW R10 had a large fairing that served as both leg shield and front fender. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OnWsqB)

Unlike the successful Vespas of that era, the BMW R10 scooter prototype had a large fairing that served as both leg shield and front fender. So that the R10 has a prominent front fender made it look a bit like a cyclops version of Snoopy from Charles Schultz’s 'Peanuts' comic strip, elongated rear body, and seats for 2 people.

The 1st prototype of 1953 BMW R10 was equipped with a single-cylinder 175cc engine and 198cc on the 2nd one produced in 1954. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XoVize)

The first prototype produced in 1953 was equipped with a single-cylinder 175cc engine capable of producing about 8hp while the second one made in 1954 was equipped with a 198cc producing about 10 hp.

Initially, the German company planned to launch the BMW R10 in 1954, but................. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2O0BwqE)

Initially, the German company planned to launch the BMW R10 in 1954. But the scooter didn't put into the production line due to the company's financial situation was not favorable. At that time, BMW was more interested in four-wheeled vehicle products that were believed to bring new solutions for urban transportation at the time. 

The BMW Isetta 300 then put into the production line replaced the BMW R10 scooter in 1954. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32UIu4I)

So be the BMW Isetta, a microcar model which is then put into the production line to replace the BMW R10 scooter. And the results are also not disappointing with total sales of over 160,000 units of the BMW Isetta. So it made proof of the microcars were the company's right choice in the time. Now, there are just two of these wonderful R10 scooters in existence – both safely kept in the BMW Group Classic collection in Munich.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BMW MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE | BLOG.MOTORCYCLE | CYBERMOTORCYCLE]

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A German' bizarre round-designed scooter

Lutz knew as a small machinery manufacturer that had been building stationary engines since 1948. The company's full name was Lutz-GmbH. Braunschweig-Querum and had an address in Bienroder Weg 53, Fernruf 22122, Braunschweig-Kralenriede.

1950 Lutz R3 Hummel or Lutz-Roller with a 58 cc engine and basic lightweight body construction. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NZ2FtV)

This German' company founded in 1946 by Otto Lutz who held an engineering doctorate and had been employed as a professor at the Technical University in Stuttgart (1936) and later at the German Aircraft Engine Research Institute in Braunschweig.

1950 Lutz R3 'Hummel'
with a 58 cc engine. (Picture  
from:  http://bit.ly/33SnvAR)

Professor Lutz was later acknowledged for the work he had done relating to jet engines and two-stroke engine technologies and became a respected figure in aviation research. Professor Lutz died in 1974 and now his personal Lutz P53 moped has become part of the Städtisches Museum Braunschweig collections.

In the beginning, the company developed an efficient bicycle engine that could be easily installed in the frame of any bicycle's brands at that time. The engine was a 58cc 2-stroke as authorities limited new designs to less than 60cc.

The engine was also used to power wheel-chairs, lawnmowers, pumps and all manner of stationary machines. It's noted several other companies including Goebel, Delius and Adria used this engine.  As a result, some 2,000 of these 48 cc (b/s 40/39.5mm 49.3cc) machines are sold in 1951.

Sales brochure of Lutz-Roller or R3.  
(Picture from:  http://bit.ly/2NZ2FtV)

And then, Lutz GmbH developed several motor scooters, examples of which competed in the ADAC Deutschland Rundfahrt reliability trial. Besides that, Lutz also developed and marketed the moped.

Its first scooters appeared in 1949 wore basic lightweight bodywork construction made it rather similar to the early Italian machines and named 'Lutz R3 Hummel' using a 58 cc 2-stroke engine.

In 1950 the company got into trouble because it gave the standard vehicle name of the 'Hummel,' and the compatriot company DKW raised objections due to feeling have more right to the name, as a result, the Hummel name should be removed.

The following year Lutz produced a larger scooter named 'Lutz Autobahnroller' with a 175cc engine and designed by W. Lieb in a bizarre round-shaped. It was similar in appearance of the smaller model by retained the two-speed gearbox and used 8-inch wheels. The Autobahnroller engine claimed able to spew power up to 7 horsepower and made it could run-up to the speed of 80 kph. 

1951 Lutz Autobahnroller with a 175cc 2-stroke engine and designed in bizarre round-shaped by W. Lieb. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33SnvAR)

Unfortunately, there is no information about the Lutz Autobahnroller whether this scooter is produced or not. If you have additional information about this mysterious scooter figure, don't hesitate to submit it to the comments box below. We really appreciate your help.

In the end, the company didn't stay long in the scooter business, because in 1952/1953, the company's sales numbers plummeted and forced them to cease production, later declared bankrupt in 1954.😢

Lutz P53, a private moped of Professor Lutz became part of the Städtisches Museum Braunschweig collection. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2CTjujW)

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | WALTER'S AUTOWERKSTATT | MO.PED.SE | ROLLERWELT | CYBERMOTORCYCLES]

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