From the not-quite-motorcycle-related-but-ya-it-kinda-is file comes the Acrimoto Mean Lean Machine tilting e-trike. While an e-trike is definitely not a motorcycle, the technology behind Acrimoto’s product comes directly from motorcycle origins, and also will be applied to Acrimoto’s other products, which are decidely motorcycle…ish.
Acrimoto describes itself as a purveyor of “ultra-efficient electric vehicles”, and their lineup of said vehicles consists of a bevy of three-wheelers that serve as urban runabouts and utility platforms for cargo or first responders. Powered by dual electric motors and lithium-ion batteries, the trikes carry names such as the FUV (Fun Utility Vehicle), Deliverator, Roadster, and Flatbed, and are configured with two wheels up front and one in the rear, similar to the Can-Am Spyder. These are not tilting trikes, and utilize double-wishbones and pushrod-actuated shocks up front.
The Mean Lean Machine (or MLM), however, is a tilting trike, and takes its front-end design from Tilting Motor Works, a company that Acrimoto purchased in 2021. Powered by three in-wheel electric motors, the MLM has pedals “for speed control and stationary recharge”, but does appear to feature a thumb throttle on the right handlebar. Their YouTube video shows a rider utilizing the MLM as a stationary bike in their garage before donning a helmet and heading out into the streets, swerving back and forth to demonstrate the workings of the tilting front end.
Tilting Motor Works’ front end is not unlike Yamaha’s Niken design in premise, although the executions are quite different. Both systems utilize a parallelogram linkage, but the Niken’s purpose-built design carries the parallelogram up high above the wheels, with two telescoping suspension units per wheel. The Tilting Motor Works system, designed to retrofit to existing motorcycles, situates the parallelogram between the two wheels, with the suspension integrated within. In both cases, the design is said to closely mimic the operation and feel of a traditional two-wheeler.
By purchasing Tilting Motor Works and creating the MLM as a smaller-scale project, it is easy to see the potential path Acrimoto is following towards integrating the tilting design into their future electric vehicles. Better, easier handling, with a natural lean in corners, while retaining the safety and security of two front contact patches, certainly seems worth the effort. Just make sure that there is no traffic around when swerving like a maniac back and forth across the road.
Sources: newatlas.com, arcimoto.com