Photo ou archives : M. Montange
3215
SCL
850 Voyager - 1990
The dream of a car on two wheels
The dream of a two-wheeler that combines the compactness of a motorcycle with the comfort and weather protection of an automobile is as old as the century. The idea seems logical, nevertheless every attempt to produce such a machine has always ended in tears, usually because the limited resources of their creators have hampered the production of a fully-developed machine. That was certainly true of the British-built Voyager, the most recent attempt.
A Cocktail of Motorbike and Automobile
Royce Creasey, the designer of the Voyager, chose the engine of the curious little Reliant three-wheeler – born of the British vehicle taxation system, which classed three-wheeled cars under 8 cwt as motorcycles – linked to a Moto Guzzi gearbox and transmission. The assembly was mounted in a tubular chassis carrying a polyester bodyshell incorporating a large trunk. The rider's seatback was taken from a Volvo automobile and could be moved backwards to accommodate a passenger (who then acted as the rider's seatback).
Neither Fish nor Fowl
Economical, offering fairly good weather protection, a comfortable riding position and ample luggage capacity, the Voyager nevertheless lacked the true advantages of an automobile. Nor did it offer the benefits of a motorcycle. It was relatively heavy, cumbersome and had a lackluster power unit. Nevertheless, this bold initiative – which disappeared in 1991 – may point the way to the vehicle of a future beset by the continual increase in traffic.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 848cc water-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke
Power Rating: 60 hp @ 7000 rpm
Valves: overhead
Fuel System: carburetor
Transmission: 5-speed, Moto Guzzi shaft final drive
Suspension: triangulated swinging links with hub-center steering (front); swing arm (rear)
Brakes: twin discs (front); disc (rear)
Wheels: 16 inch (front & rear)
Weight: 474 lb
With its "feet first" riding position, the British-built Voyager was one of the most recent attempts to combine the advantages of car and motorcycle.