R&D – Geco motorcycle project: French daring! –

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Geco motorcycle project: French daring !

R & amp; D - Geco motorcycle project: French daring! -

The Geco project (named after the Asian lizard Gecko known for its exceptional grip on any type of surface!) Is one of the main attractions of the Paris motorcycle show. MNC details this revolutionary motorcycle with its brilliant creator, Eric Offenstadt.

This project, particularly crazy in view of the existing conservatism in terms of motorcycle chassis development, was born in 2011 at the initiative of Eric Offenstadt, known as "grandpa" by some and nicknamed "the wizard" by many others.

This man (who poses for MNC in front of his motorbike in the photo opposite) has a very interesting background: former motorbike and car rider in the 1960s, Honda and Kawasaki dealer in 1972 and prolific designer of frames, brake discs, magnesium rims and other revolutionary suspension systems (Grand Prix HO 500 in 1976, BUT motorcycle in 1978, etc.). In short, a talented "Geo Trouvetou" inseparable from the history of French motorcycles..

One of his "quests" is to design a motorcycle whose ground connection elements, in this case the tires, constantly evolve at the same speed, independently of the suspension movements … Questioned by Site, Eric Offenstadt believes that the braking capacity could then be increased "by 30%", while reducing by approximately"40%"tire wear.

We let you imagine the interest of such a system for the finances of the lambda biker, his safety and the pure performances within the framework of a motorcycle competition, as well in endurance as in speed. !

"The ground links of a motorcycle have hardly improved for 70 years, since the advent of the hydraulic fork and the swingarm", explains the" sorcerer "."However, it is by developing these connections that it is possible to gain grip (…). This requires rethinking the geometry of motorcycles from top to bottom !".

A project inspired by motor racing

In fact, this idea would have germinated following a conversation with Andy Scott, technical manager of F1 gearboxes at Hewland. At that time, the engineer explained precisely to Éric Offenstadt the principle of homokinetics, applied for a long time in the automobile on the gimbals of the front drive, in particular.

Behind this complicated term hides a simple principle: two elements (in this case wheels) supposed to move at the same speed must turn … at the same speed! Clearly, the idea is that the moving parts remain synchronous, regardless of the condition of the road surface and the attitude of the motorcycle..

This phenomenon, the "sorcerer" was able to measure the incidence, in particular in 1995 during the development of a suspension with double arms drawn on behalf of Aprilia, but also later when he worked to improve the kinematics of the suspensions. on behalf of White Power (WP).

This sum of knowledge and experience acquired over the past 50 years has led him today to try to bring to light this motorcycle with homokinetic geometry: the Geco.

Technically, the foundations of the prototype are quickly laid: a tubular aluminum frame connected to large side plates, a short triangular-shaped swing arm and above all a meticulous hunt for unsprung masses. Éric Offenstadt uses his knowledge of unconventional front axles by opting for a front suspension with variable flexibility pulled wheel.

La Geco on French endurance events in 2014 ?

The project really takes shape following the decisive meeting of Arnaud and Olivier Gomez, builders of racing cars within their company GCA, who put their technical means at the disposal of Eric..

Then comes the support of many actors, in particular that of the Mutuelle des Motards, in the form of a check for 10,000 euros granted to the association Loi 1901 Progeco Moto which carries this project..

For Patrick Jacquot, CEO of the Mutuelle des Motards, this support was obvious as this project "can advance the safety of all bikers. It’s a daring bet, with potentially huge repercussions".

The insurer, which exhibits Geco on its stand at the Paris Motor Show, is not the only one to believe in this project: many other donors are providing their support, such as the astronaut Patrick Baudry, "heart" sponsor of the project. Geco, or Christophe Guyot, manager of the GMT94 endurance team.

Very interested in this initiative and the potential technological advances that could result from it, Yamaha Motor France has for its part provided a YZF-R1, while Beringer takes care of the (coupled) braking, Soben of the suspensions and that Michelin has made available of tires and its development circuit.

Through a widely followed call for donations, Eric Offenstadt also attracted some 400 contributors, who contributed more than 20,000 euros out of the 35,000 collected to date. MNC readers who are attracted to this project can support it via the .

Because there is still a long way to go before collecting the roughly 100,000 euros needed to complete a full endurance season, which the actors of this great adventure hope to be able to achieve soon..

For 2014, the "sorcerer" and his team would like to be able to participate in a few key events of the season, such as the Bol d’Or or the 24H Moto du Mans in order to demonstrate the merits of their technology. MNC wishes them good luck !

Gwendal SALAÜN

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