US firm Christini has been faithful to the idea of 2wd bikes for years – offering conversion kits for mainstream crossers and even trying a road-racer with the system fitted – and later this year it's set to offer its own range of complete bikes.
Initially, Christini will sell two models – a Gas-Gas engined, 300cc two-stroke and a Honda-powered four-stroke 450.
The firm reckons the alloy-framed 450 will sell for $6895 (around £4250) and the 300cc stroker will be $8995 (£5500).
Both bikes use Christini's patented 2wd system, which forgoes the complexity of hydraulic drive (as on Yamaha's short-lived 2-Trac machine) in favour of a system of chains and shafts. It might seem a bit Heath Robinson, but the set-up has proved successful over several years as an aftermarket bolt-on, and only saps 1 percent of the bike's power.
Founder Steve Christini said: “Our AWD system is race tested, extremely durable and has been ridden with great success in US and international races over the past 4 years. We look forward with great enthusiasm to the worldwide commercial launch our branded CHRISTINI AWD factory products.”
The Christini 2WD is devilishly simple, but still remarkably complex. Here’s how it works and we tested the system on the KTM 300EXC.
