trenace
Needs a job
Posts: 3056
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posted November 23, 2005 03:16 PM
Have $22K for a supermoto? The new Terra Modena
Terra Modena presents the Terra Modena 198
Milan, 15 November 2005 - A project that 18 months ago was just a blank sheet is now a reality: the Terra Modena 198. The product of a new firm whose very reason for existence lies in innovation, technology and style: a firm formed by men trained in the Ferrari "mould" who hail from the world of motor engineering and Formula 1 racing. The original concept: to build a high-tech single-cylinder motorbike that is beautifully designed, powerful, suitable for both the track and the road and fitted with the very best in terms of the materials used and the quality of its components. The result is the 198, what is currently known as a supermotard, although it is nothing like the "recycled enduro" bikes made by other big and famous manufacturers - including their new models.
The 198 is the forerunner of a new segment in the market and represents the evolution of the species: just like once upon a time there were the "big jeeps" that then evolved into Sport Utility Vehicles, there were also the supermotards, and now the 198 is the dawn of the era of the single-cylinder superbike - the "Monobike". It may seem just a pat advertising slogan, but there is more to it: the technology available today makes it possible to design and build a single-cylinder bike that is light, powerful, doesn't vibrate and runs smoothly - a bike that is easy and fun when just taking a ride, but with more than enough grit to satisfy those who believe that it's the bends in the road that make riding a motorbike worthwhile.
Why call it the 198? 1 stands for single-cylinder, 98 for the bore, the same bore as the Ferrari Formula 1 engine. The 198 needs to be described and discovered gradually, like taking a guided tour. We start with its heart: a 450cc engine with an effective countershaft that halts vibrations, 2 overhead camshafts and 4 titanium valves. The driving shaft is modular, the piston is forged in aluminium and fitted with a seal and a scraper ring: the connecting rod does not have bushings, but is fitted with a roller bearing. The cylinder barrel is Nikasil-coated and the gudgeon pin is treated with a layer of vacuum-sealed amorphous carbon (DLC treatment) to make it harder and smoother. This is indisputably Formula 1 and MotoGp technology.
The lubrication system comprises a pressure pump and two scavenge pumps: both the engine sump and the transmission have their own lubrication circuits but use the same oil: ELF HTX 822 10w50, the latest product specifically created by Total-ELF for high-performance engines.
The primary distribution is fitted with sprocket gears rather than the chain fitted on other models: advanced technology that evokes the structural uniqueness of the watches crafted by IWC of Schaffhausen - not by chance a sponsor of Terra Modena. Two firms, one steeped in tradition and the other breaking forth now, which share the same culture of cutting-edge mechanical engineering designed to achieve the absolute in performance.
We continue with our guided tour: another excellent item of equipment is the transmission. When open it gives the impression of a precious gem rather than a mechanism constituted by gears, forks and equalizers: dismountable, it has 6 gear ratios and is fitted with an advanced desmodromic roller-operated control system, making for lethally precise and fast gear changes.
The engine block, cylinder and head are all made of sand-cast aluminium. The electronic engine control panel is fitted with a digital fuel injection and ignition system designed by Mectronik. The bike can be kick-started, but there is no need to bother because it has an electric starter.
Such an engine just had to be coupled with an equally high-tech and beautiful chassis: it has elliptic-section peripheral dual girders and a split lower cradle that has been rendered free-standing so as to facilitate fitting of the propulsor. It is not made of iron, but built entirely in GalSi9 aluminium, which was developed in the aeronautics industry. A chassis that makes for a level of trajectory precision, also at high speeds, worthy of a real superbike: the Terra Modena 198 chassis has none of the traits of "dubious reliability" inherent in chassis derived from motocross models.
So as to always have everything under control, the bike is equipped with an AIM digital instrument panel with analog acquisition functions so that engine-running parameters and all other driving requirements can be monitored. It is a racing bike instrument panel in which only the telemeter has been omitted: the Terra Modena 198 is the only motorbike on which it is a standard item of equipment.
The fuel tank is made of aluminium, with an 8.5 litre capacity and a shrouded electric pump.
The suspension gear? Ohlins upside-down forks with 46mm diameter rods. Totally adjustable compression, rebound and pre-stressing functions. Ohlins 46mm rear piggyback mono-suspension. The separator piston fitted with an inert gas cartridge has adjustable pre-stressing, compression and rebound functions. It would be hard to find anything better.
The Brembo braking system comprises a 320mm front brake disc coupled with a 4-piston calliper that is radial-mounted just like on MotoGp racing bikes, and a 220mm rear brake disc. It would be hard to find anything better in this respect either.
The wheels are built by Marchesini in cast aluminium that is 3.5" thick on the front wheel and 5.5" thick on the rear wheel. They are fitted with the new Dunlop Sportmax D 270 tyres measuring 120/70 ZR 17 on the front wheel and 180/ 55 ZR 17 on the rear wheel.
The exhaust system has been designed by HPE Tubi Style, which developed its manifolds and silencers working in close conjunction with Terra Modena's own engineers. The manifold has different diameters and the two exhausts are made of Inconel. The system is Euro 2 type-approved.
The shape of the 198 was developed gradually as the chassis and the engine took form: first in virtual format using innovative 3D design software in which the dimensions and the practicability of each component were verified, and then by rapid prototyping each individual part. The result is a shape that forms one clean line, from its front nose to its slim tail-end. The lateral valance panels are characterized by two lateral NACA airfoils. NACA is the acronym for the National Advisory Committee of Aeronautics and defines the ratio between the front and the rear sections of the airfoil as well as the airflow entry angle. A well-designed NACA airfoil optimizes airflow into the engine's air box and minimizes drag. We drew our inspiration from the 1975 Ferrari F.1 312 T driven by Lauda and Ragazzoni.
Any description of a motorbike's shape and form cannot fail to mention the materials used and its livery. So be it. The Terra Modena 198's livery is contained in the true colours of the materials used to build it: varying complementary shades of black, grey and silver that enclose its red engine; the material that leaves the most lasting impression is the noble carbon that is complemented and enhanced by the aluminium of the chassis. The livery is a logical consequence of this concept: no paint is used because it's not needed, and no plastic is used because it's ugly.
A last consideration: optionals are not available for the 198 because its standard equipment is already all that can currently be desired in a motorbike.
Our tour comes to an end; the only thing left is to take a ride, either alone or in company - the Terra Modena 198 is type-approved for carrying a pillion passenger.
Technical Features
Engine: 4-stroke single-cylinder, liquid cooled, bore and stroke 98 x 59.6, 449.6cc, compression ratio 13:1, twin overhead camshaft with 4 titanium valves, cascade gear timing system, separate lubrication system with two pressure pumps and one scavenge pump, horsepower n/a, maximum torque n/a.
Fuel supply: indirect injection, diameter of throttles 48mm, fuel tank capacity 8.5Lt (including 1Lt fuel reserve).
Ignition: digital electronic.
Electrics: 12 V- 9Ah battery.
Clutch: multiple hydraulically operated dry cut plates.
Transmission: 6-gear.
Suspension gear: Ohlins upside-down front suspension fork with 46mm diameter rods and adjustable compression, rebound and pre-stressing. Rear swinging fork with controlled reach leverages and Ohlins 46mm single shock absorber fitted with inert gas cartridge and separator piston.
Wheels: Marchesini, in cast aluminium, front 3.5"x17"; rear 5.5"x17".
Tyres: Dunlop Sportmax D 270 front 120/70 ZR 17, rear 180/55 ZR 17.
Measurements and weight: length 2150 mm; width 83 mm; height 1185 mm (without mirrors); axle base 1048 mm; saddle height 89 mm; min. height from ground 260 mm; steering angle 26°; min. weight (without fuel) approx. 120 Kg.
  
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted November 23, 2005 03:37 PM
droool
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osti33
Needs a job
Posts: 2973
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posted November 23, 2005 03:43 PM
Very nice.
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted November 23, 2005 10:33 PM
quote:
The original concept: to build a high-tech single-cylinder motorbike that is beautifully designed, powerful, suitable for both the track and the road and fitted with the very best in terms of the materials used and the quality of its components
IMHO they missed the mark on teh beautifully designed part. i dont doubt the thing goes like stink tho.
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trenace
Needs a job
Posts: 3056
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posted November 23, 2005 10:43 PM
I do have to say I would put my bet on the 'Priller V-Twin as being faster. If nothing else, besides being two cylinders, Aprilia has run up more than a year of racing experience at the world level, whereas this company is coming from a clean sheet of paper.
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