Motorbike

Unless you have some interest in motorbikes you can safely stop reading at this point.

Over the weekend I spent a fortune on a brand new Yamaha TMax. It's interesting for several reasons:

• It's a step-thru with a 500cc engine.
• It's a parallel twin with a 360degree crank (like an old British bike).
• The cylinders are canted so far forwards that they are practically horizontal.
• It's got dry sump lubrication.
• It's got a reciprocating balance weight to counteract the vibration from the pistons. (It runs in a 'cylinder' 180degrees away from the combustion cylinders)
• There's room for the balance weight because it doesn't have a proper gearbox.
• It's got Vee-belt continuously variable transmission.
• It's got a multi-plate wet clutch (like a real motorbike) but it's automatic and centrifugally operated.
• The final drive chain runs in a sealed oil bath.
• It's got what they call an oversize water jacket to reduce noise and vibration (and decrease performance).
• It's big, super comfortable and really easy to ride (despite weighing nearly 200kg)
• My friends are already calling it a "T-k-maxx".

Richard "moped" B