Driving report of the Wakan 100 Roadster

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Driving report Wakan 100 Roadster (2010)

Not for the showcase, but for the street

A ride on the Wakan is an unheard of experience. Not just for the ears. Seldom has a photo production attracted so much attention as this one.

This machine is undoubtedly the show: sensational workmanship, finest parts, spectacular design. Nevertheless, the author’s enthusiasm was initially limited. Experience shows that the qualities of self-made single pieces are often limited to the look. He definitely has a weakness for designs beyond the mainstream, especially large-volume two-cylinder, but combined with a more pragmatic approach to functionality: First and foremost, a motorcycle has to run, ie drive, then it has to be reasonably suitable for everyday use – keyword ergonomics, turning circle, Operation etc. – and only then does the optics come in. But that’s it W.akan is not a one-off, but is manufactured in small series. Placing bets on the place where it originated should only be considered for outspoken gamblers. Because of the brand name Wakan, which comes from the language of the Sioux Indians and means something like "holy", the mighty Harley-Davidson engine clone of the US-American supplier S&S as well as the cubic inch cubic inch type indicates “gods own country”, acts understandably, but is wrong. Pretty much the breadth of the Atlantic.

The inventor, developer and builder Joël Domergue is not based in the Texan prairie, but in France, in Provence, more precisely in the idyllic town of Aniane. Most of the Scorpa brand trial motorcycles are produced there. And this with sufficient success that Domergue was able to fulfill his dream of a two-wheeled AC Cobra – this four-wheeled Brigitte Bardot by the car and racing crazy Texan Carroll Shelby from the 1960s.

Driving report

Wakan 100 Roadster

jkunstle.de

The electronically controlled intake flaps are definitely not just reminiscent of a dragster by chance.

Visually, the comparison fits, the two fat white rally stripes look just as good on the Wakan as the Cobra. The two electronically controlled intake flaps on the dummy fuel tank, which acts as an airbox and wages a brave, albeit futile, fight against the intake noises ensure a macho appearance. As luck would have it, the driving and photo session also took place in the south of France, around 200 kilometers from the place of origin.

Seldom has a photo production – it took place directly on the beach promenade of La Ciotat – attracted so much attention as this one. In rows, motorists stopped in the middle of the road to peek, joggers left their aerobic zone, and retirees briefly forgot their Yorkshire terriers. Some motorcyclists even turned around and took a spontaneous break. Many questions had to be answered, such as the displacement (1647 cm3), power and torque (measured 111 PS / 153 Nm) or price (33 320 euros). The biggest astonishment was always the news that the Wakan was practically from the neighborhood. During the photo production there was ample opportunity to take a close look at the roadster. It was noticeable that Joël Domergue is reluctant to make compromises when it comes to workmanship and surface quality. So adorn the fat S.&S-Bigblock numerous lids milled or polished from solid, holders and small parts, the extremely steep, fully adjustable upside-down fork from Ceriani is clamped in filigree fork bridges. The self-supporting rear frame fits perfectly into the concept and also stores 14 liters of fuel. The forged Marchesini rims, whose surfaces have been completely reworked with the milling machine, are in no way inferior to the attention to detail. It’s a shame that you don’t see it while driving, in contrast to the rather boring and cheap-looking digital cockpit.

Which brings us to the actual destination, driving. The initial euphoria is already dampened when you sit up, because the tiny seat bun is not only rock-hard, but also offers no support. In return, your hands fall on the handlebars by themselves. The start-up procedure of the V-2, which is powered by a Keihin flat slide carburetor, takes a little longer in the cold, and when it runs, half the county can testify to that. How the Wakan got its black license plate is a mystery.

Aside from the really exorbitant noise and the fact that the rear manifold likes to burn holes in pant legs, the Roadster can be addicting. After a few meters it becomes clear that this American-French was not built for the showcase, but for the street. From idle there is more than enough torque, while the pilot is given a pleasant full-body massage right up to the middle speed range. A brake disc at the front is sufficient to brake the roadster weighing just 208 kilograms with two fingers. Steering behavior and neutrality are significantly better than with a Buell XB 12. Lean angle is not an issue. The next straight is in sight, with a roar at it! Conclusion: The Wakan Roadster is a toy with a high entertainment value for people with enough change. With a little more socially acceptable statements, it would not only be a screamer, but also a hit of the year.

Technical specifications

Drawing: archive

Diagram: power on the crankshaft; Measurements on Dynojet roller test stand 250, corrected according to 95/1 / EG, maximum possible deviation ± 5%.

Engine:
Air-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 45-degree V-engine, an underneath, chain-driven camshaft, two valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, bumpers, rocker arms, dry sump lubrication, flat slide carburetor, Ø 41 mm, battery 12 V / 19 Ah, hydraulically operated multi-plate dry clutch, Five-speed gearbox, chain.
Bore x stroke 101.6 x 101.6 mm
Cubic capacity 1647 cm3
Compression ratio 10.3: 1
rated capacity 89.0 kW (121 hp) at 5750 rpm
Max. Torque 165 Nm at 4250 rpm

Landing gear:
Single-loop frame made of steel, telescopic fork, Ø 46 mm, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut, directly hinged, front disc brake, Ø 340 mm, six-piston fixed calliper, rear disc brake, Ø 220 mm, two-piston fixed calliper.
Forged aluminum wheels 3.50 x 17; 5.75 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17

Mass and weight:
Wheelbase 1380 mm, steering head angle 68.0 degrees, caster 85 mm, spring travel f / r 105/70 mm, seat height * 790 mm, weight with a full tank * 208 kg, tank capacity 13.0 liters.
guarantee two years
Colors Gray, black, white, red
price 33,320 euros
Additional costs 400 euros

* MOTORCYCLE measurements

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