Midualis aFrenchbrand ofmotorcycle.Founded in 1992 by
Olivier Midy and his brother Francois combined passion, skill and insight to create the
Midual concept. Years (four years to be exact) of design and engineering went
into this single roadster. Finally, with the basic engineering done, the Midys
contracted with English designer Glynn Kerr to complete the look of the
roadster. Kerr is a substantial motorcycle designer, having worked for Honda and
other major manufacturers.
The company aimstodesignhigh-endmotorcycles forveryhigh technological content.
Two
prototypes were/are being developed. The900Midualwas presentedin 1999at the Paris Salon and the Type1 in 2014 - aiming
to be in the maketplace in 2016.
Midual Roadster 900
.
Make Model
Midual 900 Roadster
Year
2001
Engine
Four stoke, V-twin, DOHC
Capacity
875 cc / 53.4 cub in.
Bore x Stroke
94 x 63 mm
Cooling System
Liquid cooled
Exhaust
Twin (2-into-two)
Fuel System
Magneti-Marelli injection
Ignition
Electronic
Starting
Electric
Max Power
66.2 kW / 90 hp
Max Torque
83 Nm / 8.5 kgf-m / 61.2 lb-ft
Clutch
Multi-disc in oil
Transmission
5-Speed
Final Drive
Chain
Frame
Double steel beam, 55 mm tubes
Front Suspension
WP upside-down forks
Rear Suspension
WP monoshock
Front Brakes
2 x 320 mm discs with 4-piston calipers
Rear Brakes
Single 245 mm disc with 1-piston caliper
Wheels
Alloy, 3 spoke rim
Front Tyre
120/70-17
Rear Tyre
160/60-17
Wheelbase
1440 mm / 56.7 in.
Dry Weight
185 kg / 408 lbs
Fuel Capacity
20 L / 5.3 US gal
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h
4.1 sec
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph
3.9 sec
Ninety degree V-twin sportbikes are all the rage
these days. Ducati, Honda, Suzuki and others are building these bikes, and at
least one engineering problem associated with this design has become common
knowledge. When a ninety degree V-twin is placed in a sportbike chassis,
"packaging" becomes difficult. The engine configuration makes it almost
impossible to include (1) a normal rear suspension system, and (2) a modern,
long swingarm (a design element which is a major contributor to the superb
handling of Yamaha's new R1, for instance).
Suzuki addressed the rear shock absorber placement issue by redesigning the
shock altogether -- it utilizes a rotary damper design. Aprilia, in designing
its RSV1000, disgarded the ninety degree concept (despite its natural balance)
in favor of a narrower V angle. Aprilia decided that the narrower V angle far
outweighed the advantages of a ninety degree V-twin simply because the packaging
of the motor was so important. The narrower angle of the V allowed Aprilia to
have both a normal rear shock placement and a long swingarm (with added weight
over the front wheel).
Why am I discussing the problems associated with ninety degree V-twins in this
article? Good question. If you think it's hard to package a ninety degree V-twin
in a modern, competent-handling motorcycle chassis, try packaging a flat-twin
mounted lengthwise in the chassis (opposite the approach used by BMW with its
flat twin).
In studying the Midual, I learned that an English firm named Douglas was first
to use a flat twin (before BMW) in a motorcycle. Moreover, Douglas aligned the
flat twin parallel with the frame, as does Midual. The Douglas flat twin was
popular in the 1920s and 1930s, but actually stayed in production until 1960.
Since 1960, no flat twin alligned with the chassis has been manufactured
anywhere in the world. Midual intends to change that.
The owners and designers behind Midual feel it is important, essential even, to
develop a bike with a unique engine. A unique engine design, to some extent,
puts you in a nitch all alone -- without competitors. I will grant Midual this
fact, but are there genuine engineering and performance reasons for the design?
Or is the tail wagging the dog?
According to Midual, there are reasons beyond marketing for the design and
layout of the engine. The 900cc flat twin employed by the Midual roadster
purports to contribute to a lower center of gravity, light weight, and
simplicity. It also puts out respectable horsepower for a 900cc twin (90 hp).
With fuel injection and a five-speed gear box, the Midual roadster will have
more than adequate performance. But buyers of the Midual (should it ever see
production) will not be looking for performance alone - they will want
character. They will find it in the Midual.
The story of Midual could take several pages, but let's just say this. Olivier
Midy and his brother Francois combined passion, skill and insight to create the
Midual concept. Years (four years to be exact) of design and engineering went
into this single roadster. Finally, with the basic engineering done, the Midys
contracted with English designer Glynn Kerr to complete the look of the
roadster. Kerr is a substantial motorcycle designer, having worked for Honda and
other major manufacturers.
Apparently, having recognized the effort of the Midys and Glynn Kerr, investors
are now putting up the funds to create a running prototype and, hopefully,
start-up of production. This bike is a long way from being available at your
local motorcycle dealer, however.
Given the effort and the passion already displayed by the Midy brothers, we
expect this bike will be a reality in a few years time. For now, it is an
entirely unique design which makes all of us think about the possibility that
other engine configurations exist that have been overlooked by the mainstream
motorcycle manufacturers.
Source Motorcycle Daily
.
Midual Type 1 Prototype
Make Model
Midual Type 1
Prototype
Year
2016
Production
35
Engine
Four stroke,
longitudinal flat twin,
angled at 25°, DOHC, 8 valves
Capacity
1036 cc
/ 63.2 cub in.
Bore x Stroke
100 x 66 mm
Cooling System
Liquid cooled
plus 2 oil coolers
Compression Ratio
12:1
Lubrication
Dry sump and 2
gerotors
Exhaust
2 x Catalytic
converters + Lambda sensor
Induction
Electronic
fuel injection, 54 mm throttle body and butterfly valve
Ignition
Electronic
Starting
Electric
Max Power
78 kW / 106 hp
@ 8000rpm (at crankshaft)
Max Torque
100 Nm / 10.2
kgf-m / 73.8 lb-ft @ 5300 rpm
Clutch
Multiple plate
in oil bath
Final Drive
Chain, 525
Frame
Single piece
double-wall aluminium alloy frame, also serving as fuel tank
2 x Brembo
dual piston calipers with 320 mm floating discs
Rear Brakes
Brembo dual
piston caliper with 245 mm floating disc
Wheels
Alloy, spokes
Front Rim
3.5 x 17 in.
Rear Rim
5.5 x 17 in.
Front Tyre
120/70-17
Michelin
Rear Tyre
180/55-17
Michelin
Rake
24° - 25°,
adjustable
Trail
100 mm / 3.9
in. @ 24.5°
Wheelbase
1505 mm / 59.3
in.
Seat Height
810 mm / 31.9
in.
Wet Weight
239 kg / 527
lbs
Fuel Capacity
14 L / 3.7 US
gal
Most motorcycle enthusiasts are probably
unfamiliar with the Midual
brand. Originally formed in 1992 by entrepreneur
Olivier Midy, Midual
was an obscure French brand best known for introducing a 875cc
roadster concept in 1999. What made the concept noteworthy was
the company’s decision to use a transversely-mounted flat-twin
engine.
The cylinders pointed in opposite
directions like BMW’s boxer twins, but instead of sticking out
to either side, the Midual 900
had one cylinder pointed toward the front wheel and the other
pointing up to the tail.
The Midual Type 1 still uses a transverse
flat-twin engine design and the cylinders laying in the frame at
a 25° downward angle. Midual claims the arrangement offers a low
center of gravity while reducing longitudinal inertia. While the
original 900 concept had a 94 mm bore and 63 mm stroke, the Type
1 has a 100 mm cylinder bore with a 66 mm stroke, giving it a
1036cc displacement. Midual claims 74 ft-lb. of torque at 5300
rpm with a peak of 106 hp at 8000 rpm, just 800 rpm below the
liquid-cooled, fuel-injected DOHC four-valve per cylinder
engine’s rev limit.
The engine is mounted to an aluminum alloy
frame with an integrated fuel tank, holding 3.7 gallons of
gasoline. The top of the fuel tank houses an instrument panel
with several analog gauges.
Despite garnering a lot of attention at
the 1999 Salon du Deux-Roues motorcycle fair in Paris, Midual
did not have the financial resources to bring the concept to
production. The brand faded into obscurity until it resurfaced
with a brand new prototype at the
Pebble Beach Concours
d’Elegance in Carmel, Calif.
The Midual is equipped with a 43mm Ohlins
FGRT fork offering 120 mm of travel. Midual says the rake is
adjustable from 24 to 25°, with a 100mm trail when the rake is
set to 24.5°. The rear wheel and aluminum swingarm is suspened
by a cantilevered Ohlins TTX36 rear shock which also offers 120
mm of travel.
Brembo provides the braking components
which include dual-piston calipers gripping the two 320mm
floating discs up front and a two-piston caliper with 245mm disc
at the rear.
eing a French company, Midual wrapped the
17-inch wire-spoke wheels in Michelin tires, with a 120-70 tire
up front and a 180/55 at the rear.
The Midual displays a high attention to
detail in the leather hand grips, fuel tank knee grips and
instrument panel finishes. Midual promises to offer a number of
customizable touches from various seat colors, and a choice of
Australian oak or metal instrument panel finishes.
Midual has been testing its Type 1
prototype since the summer of 2013 but the finished product
won’t be ready until 2016. Midual plans to produce only 35
examples of the Type 1 for sale to European customers, and is
already accepting orders at a hefty price of 140,000 Euro
(US$187,066). Being a boutique brand, Midual is also offering a
four-year warranty and maintenance plan which includes the cost
of picking up the motorcycle and shipping it to and from the
factory for service.