by Kathryn M. D’Imperio
All-wheel-drive vehicles are typically known for their rugged looks and unrivaled performance on tough terrain. Off-road vehicles such as motorcycles, jeeps, and ATVs stand up to much more demanding road and weather conditions than the average bike or car would handle, even on a bad day. The technology behind these AWD machines is nothing short of impressive. A Christini AWD motorcycle relies on exceptional craftsmanship and durable, adaptable mechanics to ensure the bike is up to the challenge, no matter if it happens to be for work or play.
Christini AWD Motorcycles, the world’s only maker of AWD motorcycles and the only OEM off-road motorcycle company in the United States, supplies the U.S. Military and Border Patrol with AWD motorcycles used by troops for tactical operations. These bikes need to be able to turn and stop on a dime, trek through sand, mud, and other terrain, and roll over logs, ruts, and hills without hesitation.
The technology behind a two-wheel drive motorcycle provides excellent increased traction and stability with no torque effect. Christini’s patented mechanical AWD system specifically allows for better hill climbing and faster acceleration, using less than 1/10 horsepower to function, and is just 15 pounds of added weight to the vehicle. The motorcycle’s transmission transfers power to the front wheel through chains and shafts on the bike when the rear wheel begins to spin, with no need for energy-robbing hydraulics in the process.
The AWD system of a motorcycle compares to that of a four-wheel-drive vehicle, where in perfect conditions the rear wheel drives slightly faster while the use of one-way clutches in the front hub allows the front to freewheel and the AWD system to be passive. However, when traction slips on the rear wheel, the drive ratio changes, causing the AWD system to engage and transfer the required power to the front wheel. When the rear wheel regains traction, the power will shift and the AWD system will return to functioning passively.
The AWD system’s ability to quickly deliver power to the front wheel any time the rear wheel begins to stall promptly forces the wheel to turn once again. Washing out on the front end is nearly impossible due to this technology.
