In 2003, the motorcycle world was taken by storm. Dodge had come out with a concept bike that brought the concept of a super-bike to a whole new level with its distinct styling and massive power output, that put most cars to shame, let alone motorcycles. The Tomahawk was never intended to be mass-produced but brought attention to Dodge for its push at impossible motorcycle specs.
Design
The 2003 Tomahawk came out looking unlike any other motorcycle on the market, with dual front and rear tires to support the bullet-shaped bike, complete with gill-like air vents along the sides. The engine is the prime factor in the styling of this bike. Wheels and a seat wrapped around a big-block engine, all in billet aluminum, leaves little to the imagination when describing this bike. The Tomahawk did not have excessive details or fairings to dress it up. It was more of an engineering feat, one that might be seen in movies like "Batman," and meant only as a piece of machinery to strike people with awe.
Engine
A 505.06-cubic-inch, four-stroke, 10-cylinder engine powered the Tomahawk. Originally used in the Dodge Viper, this engine had a compression ratio of 9.6:1 with a bore of 4.03 and a stroke of 3.96 inches. The engine block and cylinder heads are made out of aluminum alloy. It was fuel-injected and liquid-cooled. The Tomahawk boasted a top speed of 300 mph. This bike had 500 horsepower at 5,600 revolutions per minute and 525.5 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 RPM. Acceleration from zero to 62 mph could be accomplished on this bike in just 2.5 seconds. Only 93 octane gasoline could be used to fuel this engine.
Transmission
The Tomahawk came with a two-speed gear box. The first gear ratio was 18 to 38 and the second gear ratio was 23 to 25. A double-disc clutch was used to shift between gears. The bike's final drive consisted of two 110-link chains.
Chassis and Axle Components
The frame for the vehicle was of monocoque styling in which the engine was directly in the center. The front suspension consisted of billet aluminum, outboard control arms, aluminum steering hubs and uprights, and single coil-over dampers that were centered and fully adjustable. Steel inboard control arms that were hand-fabricated, a Koni coil-over damper, and racing hubs that locked in the center made up the rear suspension. Double 20-inch, disc brakes were used on the front and rear of the Tomahawk. These complimented the 20-inch, billet aluminum wheels which came complete with custom Dunlop tires.
Dimensions
Weighing 1,500 lbs, the Dodge Tomahawk is 8.5 feet long with a wheelbase of 6.33 feet. The bike is 2.31 feet wide and 3.08 feet tall. The seat height is 2.42 feet off the ground. The Tomahawk has only 3.0 inches of ground clearance. A 3.25-gallon tank supplies fuel to the engine.
Interesting Facts
The Tomahawk technically doesn't meet the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's criteria for a vehicle to be considered a motorcycle. These criteria state that three wheels or fewer must be on the ground during operation, eliminating the four-wheel Tomahawk. Although they are drivable, the Tomahawk concepts are not street-legal in the United States. These bikes retailed for $555,000 through Neiman Marcus, with only nine replicas sold.
Tags: billet aluminum, complete with, control arms, Dodge Tomahawk, front rear
