Two-wheel drive
Encyclopedia
Two wheel drive or 2WD describes vehicles with a drivetrain
that allows two wheel
s to receive power from the engine
simultaneously.
or rear-wheel drive. The term 4x2 is also used, to denote four total wheels with two being driven.
For vehicles that have part-time four-wheel drive
, the term refers to the mode when 4WD is deactivated and power is applied to only two wheels.
Manufacturers who have one in production include Rokon
and Christini. Manufacturers who are working or have worked on a prototype include ZID
, Suzuki
, Yamaha
, KTM
and Honda
.
s with sidecar
s, the term is used to describe vehicles which can power the sidecar as well as the back wheel. Sidecar drive vehicles are typically mechanically driven via a shaft and may or may not have a differential. This scheme greatly improves offroad performance, but is more complicated and requires more power to operate, thus most 2WD machines are vehicles created with special uses in mind such as trials or military use. The first use of sidecar drive appears in 1928 with the apparent independent invention of Baughan in the UK, and Mokharov in the USSR.
Powertrain
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
that allows two wheel
Wheel
A wheel is a device that allows heavy objects to be moved easily through rotating on an axle through its center, facilitating movement or transportation while supporting a load, or performing labor in machines. Common examples found in transport applications. A wheel, together with an axle,...
s to receive power from the engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
simultaneously.
Four wheeled vehicles
For four-wheeled vehicles, this term is used to describe vehicles that are able to power at most two wheels, referred to as either frontFront-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
or rear-wheel drive. The term 4x2 is also used, to denote four total wheels with two being driven.
For vehicles that have part-time four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
, the term refers to the mode when 4WD is deactivated and power is applied to only two wheels.
Two-wheeled vehicles
For two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles, the term is used to describe vehicles which can power the front as well as the back wheel. The term 2x2 is also used to denote two total wheels with both being driven. 2x2 vehicles are typically either mechanically driven via chain or shaft or are hydraulic driven. This scheme greatly improves offroad performance, but is quite complicated and requires more power to operate, thus most 2WD machines are either "exotic" bikes for enthusiasts or created with special uses in mind.Manufacturers who have one in production include Rokon
Rokon motorcycle
Rokon is a Rochester, New Hampshire-based motorcycle manufacturer that builds unusual 2-wheel-drive off-road motorcycles which are sometimes referred to as Moto-tractors.-History:...
and Christini. Manufacturers who are working or have worked on a prototype include ZID
Zid
Zid may refer to:* Several Bollywood films:...
, Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
, Yamaha
Yamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
, KTM
KTM
KTM Sportmotorcycle AG is an Austrian motorcycle, bicycle and moped manufacturer.The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz in Mattighofen. It started out as a metal working shop and was named Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen...
and Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
.
Two-wheeled drive with sidecars
For three-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycleMotorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s with sidecar
Sidecar
A sidecar is a one-wheeled device attached to the side of a motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle, producing a three-wheeled vehicle.-History:A sidecar appeared in a cartoon by George Moore in the January 7, 1903, issue of the British newspaper Motor Cycling. Three weeks later, a provisional patent was...
s, the term is used to describe vehicles which can power the sidecar as well as the back wheel. Sidecar drive vehicles are typically mechanically driven via a shaft and may or may not have a differential. This scheme greatly improves offroad performance, but is more complicated and requires more power to operate, thus most 2WD machines are vehicles created with special uses in mind such as trials or military use. The first use of sidecar drive appears in 1928 with the apparent independent invention of Baughan in the UK, and Mokharov in the USSR.