The Latest Vyrus is the Alyen 998

[Peon Maface]

The spiritual heirs of the Bimota Tesi are still at work over there on the Adriatic coast, in Italy, creating their own Vyruses in spite of the corona one. This latest hub-steered creation, in the works for nine years, uses an all new HWSS (Hydraulic Wired Steering System) in yet another valiant effort to overcome the limitations of the telescopic fork. Ducati has supplied 20 special Superquadro 1299 engines, which we suppose means 20 Alyens will be built. The price, Vyrus says, is “not available.” I didn’t really need to be told.

The press release is almost as fun to read as the bike itself, just like being in Italy!

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Vyrus Alyen 998 Press Release:

Vyrus is a positive affection, it has been since its first creation: infusing art into technology to build motorcycles and igniting the passion in those who marry our philosophy. Alyen is the latest creature, a condensate of knowledge acquired in 35 years of activity and a history lived in the land of motors, right in her heart, at the center of the world! In this historical moment we all need a contagion of passion and love. 

Design 

The idea it’s a sketch of Adrian Morton that Ascanio Rodorigo develops with Yutaka Igarashi (Japanese designer) in 57 different versions in a span of 9 years, an infinite gestation for the intrinsic complexities of the project. The perfect idea for the layout of a motorcycle with indirect steering and double swingarm! A demanding challenge due to the particular arrangement of the components, a game of structures suspended in nothingness that represent more a creature of the future rather than a motorcycle. A complex coordination work of the Technical Office with the Vyrus Design Department for the prototyping and putting on road of the futuristic prototype. The revolution concerns concept of prototyping itself, intended as a process of the activities to be carried out to obtain the final product. Not a single gram of clay was modeled (a type of material that is used for modeling forms in the automotive sector), as there is no conceptual basis on which to structure a motorcycle. Where to place all the components? The appearance of a creature from other worlds with a central body of important dimensions, developed in three-dimension in contrast to a conventional motorcycle.

The animal’s head protrudes cantilevered completely detached from the body and contains the steering system HWSS (Hydraulic Wired Steering System) a mechanism developed by Vyrus that combines two steel cables tied to the ends of the handlebar and connected respectively to the sides of the wheel. The cables are sealed in a special sheath with a special fluid based on nano particles inside which, like a hydraulic piston, push the movement of the wheel while maintaining a comfortable and safe driving feeling, included a steering damper simulation of sensibility.

The system itself is redundant and even if an element breaks, its opposite is able to perform the functions in the exact same way. The most fascinating aspect of the steering system is that when sitting in motion there are no elements interposed between the handlebar and the front wheel. It should be emphasized that observing the motorbike in profile there are many completely empty spaces between the handlebar and the wheel, the steering works in “remote control”, a completely new aspect in a motorcycle, a novelty in design and technology at the same time.

The saddle, hand-sewn on a carbon base, consists of two separate elements that cover an appendix structure of the central body in magnesium; together with its components it gives the idea of a very thin element where the pilot sits, and looks like unable to support a weight. The main aspect of the seat is that the saddle is very low, this allows the riding of Alyen really to anyone without necessarily being expert motorcyclists, as usual in the previous Vyrus models. The ground clearance is only 800mm!!! 

Engine 

Alyen is equipped with the Superquadro 1299 Ducati that our friends at Borgo Panigale have assembled specifically for Vyrus in 20 units. A powerful engine, over 200 horsepower and an undisputed personality, the right heart of an extreme vehicle in form and content. The engine is equipped with two electronically controlled “Ride by Wire” motorized throttle bodies. The water-cooled twin cylinder fits perfectly with the Omega frames made of Magnesium alloy. The electronics push the vital functions into the Euro 5 configuration. An inertial platform provides for regulating the delivery and controls its stability. The gearbox has an electronic device for engaging gears without the aid of the clutch when sports driving requires it. 

Frame 

Magnesium is the alloy of the future, its characteristics are notoriously extraordinary, it is very light and rigid at the same time and allows a weight saving of up to 30% compared to the same shapes made of light aluminum alloy. It is a fascinating metal, very delicate but at the same time it becomes very reliable once treated with the correct technologies. In the past, magnesium was vulnerable to external agents such as UV rays or humidity. Today there are technologies that allow to guarantee their integrity “for life” and Vyrus has been able to research and find the appropriate technical solutions. Omega frames, anchoring beams, as well as footrests and footpeg supports, the connections of the anti-dive system of the front head, the radiator supports, the shift lever and also rear brake levers are made of magnesium. All the details are obviously designed in Vyrus where the masks for machining and the CAM paths of the control machines are also made; they are built by mechanical processing internally in Vyrus. An internal chain of the highest level, fundamental for total production control and quality. 

The front swinging arm, the rear single arm and the central body (the one where the tank is traditionally located) are also built in Magnesium. In this case they are made by sand-casting. An ancient procedure but made with modern technologies. This has allowed to create the desired shapes and give the rough appearance of the objects which gives the surfaces an appearance really similar to the “creature’s skin”. Every aspect has been designed and studied to transform the “machine” into a living being from another universe, typical of Vyrus “organic engineering architecture”. 

The body of the machine is a carbon fiber casing which encloses the tanks in the two side bellies and the radiator in the upper central part. The body is a load-bearing structure made by layering various layers in resin- impregnated fabric which is cooked in an autoclave at 120 degrees C. The final layer of the composite is in unidirectional fabric (UD), that is an infinite series of centesimal thickness filaments all arranged in one direction. Arranging these layers in various directions allows a control of the resistance of the piece, calculated according to the needs. Furthermore, the final UD surface has an absolutely unique visual aspect, very elegant, it looks like a refined wood grain. The expertise, needed to make UD structures, it’s superfine and not easy to make, this contributes to enhancing the product. Carbon also makes a leap forward in style here. 

Suspension 

Vyrus typical push-rod suspension has been developed in a further step thanks to the use of a new device. A Swedish manufacturer has a shock absorber in the catalog, the TTX 40 MK “thru rod”, characterized by the particular configuration of the stem that slides inside the body of the suspension unit. In practice it works as a steering damper. This allows not to influence the behavior of the shock absorber because there is no air tank that is usually inflated to 12 atmospheres and pushes AGAINST the shock absorber piston. In this case the pressure is the same on both sides of the hydraulic piston with significant advantages over the control of the ground response of the tires. The adjustable connecting rods and support rockers are made of Ergal 7075. 

Exhaust system 

From the engine comes two primary collectors of 60 mm and they enter a so-called compensation container. The container is formed in the upper part by an aluminum alloy cover totally made by milling. The cover contains the couplings of the two primary inlet manifolds and a separation labyrinth capable of fragmenting the sound as the gases advance inside. In the middle of the labyrinth are located the exhaust valve and the Lambda probes. All worked in a painstaking way for a thickness of 3 mm on the entire surface. The lower lid is screwed to this, a fine craftsmanship, consisting of a trapezoidal-shaped parallelepiped in 1 mm thick stainless steel sheet, folded by hand and TIG welded without adding material to maintain a uniform thickness in order to avoid breakage: sheet metal contains a further and smaller sheet inside which serves to retain a layer of soundproofing material between them. This simulate a real silencer. Finally, the two tubes emerge from the upper semi-finished product, which make up the aesthetic part of the exhaust, extending to the saddle and covered by a carbon protection (also in UD) which also acts as a rear mudguard as well as an aesthetic / functional element of the vehicle. 

Wheels and brakes 

For the Alyen project, ROTOBOX has created a special series of composite wheels of exceptional workmanship and technical characteristics, as well as the avant-garde look. In perfect Vyrus style, the 10 spokes, only 5 mm thick, and the extraordinarily low weight; it houses a Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 120/70 ZR17 with a 3.5 ”channel at the front and a 6” channel for a Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 200-60 ZR 17 at the rear.

For Brakes there are two different options, one foresees the application of a set of Carbonceramic 320mm discs, the other possibility for the very light and performing “low track” Brembo T-drive 320 mm disc derived from the SBK as well as the Brembo GP4 RR P4 caliper 32/36 Monobloc CNC is a point of reference in Motorsport. At the rear, the 245 mm Brembo brake disc braked by the Brembo caliper SS P2 43 CNC.

For the handlebar controls, Brembo supplies the beautiful Radial RCS “Corsa Corta” brake and clutch pump which, in addition to being a product of very high performance, has added value in its modern design. All enslaved by the standard Anti-Locking System. 

Controls and Lights

The handlebar controls of functions are made with the numerical control, machine (CNC) from solid. The handlebar, an engineering masterpiece, hides all the oil pipes and electrical cables inside, has the function of controlling the transmission of motion to the steering cables. Its complex shape is designed to support the multiple applications it is aimed at, also the result of the design of the technologies that Vyrus had to develop for Alyen. Made from a solid block in Ergal (light alloy of extraordinary quality) and worked with the CNC.

The handlebar is housed in the “proboscis” of the composite body as well as the dashboard, the COBO Truckontrol whose screen with TFT technology has been graphically designed specifically for Alyen. The lighting system consists of two mini LED spots for the high beam and low beam an integrated part of a luminous insert that acts as a daylight. On the back a small position / stop light integrated in the license plate holder. This element is also made of composite, designed to resist vibrations and assist the elements as side indicator devices, lights, plate and relative anchors. The design of the license plate / arrows support is designed to be “invisible” and integrate into the shapes and objects of the rear axle. 

Technical specifications 

Engine type: 1285 cc Ducati 4 L-shaped 90° Desmo drive

Bore x stroke: 116 x 70.8 mm

Compression ratio: 12,6: 1

Lubrication system: forced gear pump

Cooling system: Watercooled

Gearbox: 6 speed, wet clutch

Power: 205 cv @ 10.500 rpm

Front suspension: Push Rod Twin Pivot Vyrus

Rear suspension: Push Rod Twin Pivot Vyrus

Frame: Magnesium omega design combined self-supporting composite Body

Steering System: Vyrus Hydraulic Wired Steering System

Caster angle: 17° to 25°

Trail: 84 mm to 111 mm

Wheelbase: 1575 mm

Front tire: 120/70 ZR 17

Rear tire: 200/60 ZR17

Fuel tank capacity: 11 lt 

Total weight: 165 kg on the road without fuel 

Price: Not Available

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