Also Porsche, at least once, she got busy with a two-wheeled model. In 1979 the German brand presented the so-called Alternative Motorrad Konzept, a fully faired motorcycle built around the Yamaha SR500 model. It amazed everyone then, it still leaves you speechless today: because no one has ever had the courage to build and above all sell a similar model.
Strange and unusual, the Porsche AMK, acronym of the aforementioned name, shows several genuinely new features: the large headlight integrated into the body; the wheels completely faired, so much so as to ‘hide’ them from view; direction indicators incorporated into the windscreen; automatic gearbox without clutch, CVT variator, single brake lever, shaft final drive and cantilever type rear suspension. According to Porsche’s intentions, the fully covered wheels were both aerodynamically efficient and useful in reducing the amount of dirt thrown off the road; while the ergonomic and height-adjustable seat offered a comfortable driving position.
Designed at the Weissach development center during 1978-79, it is a unique motorcycle in every sense: the only one built is kept in the Porsche Museum. It cannot even be said that he was ahead of the times: it is simply a motorcycle that stands out, unique and timeless, in the panorama of the most daring two-wheeled concepts ever. In fact, the idea of the Porsche engineers was to design something halfway between a motorcycle and a car, which could have appeal for both categories of travelers.
The French press was delighted, but the appreciations did not go much further. And so the project remained on paper only, with no chance of completing it. Of course, once this bike was put on the road it should have received some ‘aerodynamic’ corrections: after all, the concepts are just a reservoir of ideas, from which to eliminate inappropriate waste through testing. Porsche’s experience, however, served Harley-Davidson, a brand which took advantage of advice on the VR1000 Superbike model and the V-Rod VRSC engine.
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