KAWASAKI’S 48 CYLINDER MOTORCYCLE IS OVER THE TOP
This motorcycle is more of a concept Rube Goldberg invention rather than anything you’re likely to see cruising down the street. Equipped with six banks of eight cylinder engines – each bank is fitted with a Jaguar V8 distributor cap. It’s initiated with a 125cc scooter engine that acts as the “donkey engine” to build up enough steam to start up the rest of them. It’s a terrifically interesting piece to watch in action but it begs the question of application. Because the 48 cylinder beast is so long, it can’t be feasibly piloted. This may be a blessing in disguise as what could you hope to do with 48 cylinders on a motorcycle designed to handle 4? More importantly, as you’ll see in this video, it takes a team of mechanics to keep it properly cooled and lubricated throughout its function check. Not quite the most efficient or useful thing in the world. This motorcycle proves that with enough money, you can truly create nearly anything on two wheels. However, in terms of feats of man-made power, it still takes a practical backseat to this list of near and dear competitors.
This motorcycle is more of a concept Rube Goldberg invention rather than anything you’re likely to see cruising down the street. Equipped with six banks of eight cylinder engines – each bank is fitted with a Jaguar V8 distributor cap. It’s initiated with a 125cc scooter engine that acts as the “donkey engine” to build up enough steam to start up the rest of them. It’s a terrifically interesting piece to watch in action but it begs the question of application. Because the 48 cylinder beast is so long, it can’t be feasibly piloted. This may be a blessing in disguise as what could you hope to do with 48 cylinders on a motorcycle designed to handle 4? More importantly, as you’ll see in this video, it takes a team of mechanics to keep it properly cooled and lubricated throughout its function check. Not quite the most efficient or useful thing in the world. This motorcycle proves that with enough money, you can truly create nearly anything on two wheels. However, in terms of feats of man-made power, it still takes a practical backseat to this list of near and dear competitors.
