In celebration of REV’IT!’s 20th year as a leader in the motorcycle apparel industry, a machine was envisioned to match the design ambition of the 2015 collection and the riding ambitions of its intended consumer. Thus the REV’IT! #95 project came to life.
REV’IT! creative director Gerbrandt Aarts brought together Gregor Halenda, Chris Cosentino and Scott Kolb, a skilled team of artists, designers and engineers with decades of combined experience in the shop and in the saddle. Together they conceptualized the “ultimate” adventure project that would turn a rugged ADV bike into an all-wheel drive machine, via the adaption of a Christini kit.
In just four months in late 2014/early 2015, a KTM 950 Super Enduro was found, stripped and reassembled a dozen or more times to create an immediately recognizable, one-off motorcycle, built to mimic the current REV’IT! design philosophy.
“Over the years, our products’ complexities have increased alongside their functionalities,” says lead designer Gerbrandt Aarts. “All REV’IT! products are highly technical with iconic, straightforward design. This design vision has been transmitted to the motorbike, which features advanced technology in a simple and honest presentation, putting the parts that improve the rider’s experience on display.”
The Christini-based system on the REV’IT!#95 transfers power off the countershaft sprocket through a custom-made system of gears and shafts, to the headstock where it’s converted again to two counter-rotating drive shafts. These deliver power to the front hub via a one-way free hub. The front wheel is driven at 80% of the speed of the rear wheel to prevent undue torque from affecting the steering, but when the rear wheel outpaces the front, the front digs in to bring the bike into line and convert what was once wasted power and roost into forward motion.
The practical benefit of AWD on a full-sized adventure bike is the ability to navigate through deep sand or mud – the spots where a large, weighty bike might typically get stuck. It’s the same advantage as a four wheel drive vehicle, and offers a huge bonus to the solo adventure rider: You can traverse more difficult terrain, more easily.
The REV’IT! #95 bike was completed in April 2015 and will be presented to the public at events over the coming months.
