Two-wheel-drive (2WD) denotes
vehicles with a
drivetrain that allows two
wheel
A wheel is a circular component that is intended to rotate on an axle Bearing (mechanical), bearing. The wheel is one of the key components of the wheel and axle which is one of the Simple machine, six simple machines. Wheels, in conjunction wi ...
s to be driven, and receive
power and
torque from the
engine, simultaneously.
Four-wheeled vehicles
For four-wheeled vehicles (and by extension, vehicles with six, eight, or more wheels), this term is used to describe vehicles that are able to power at most two wheels, referred to as either
front
Front may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Films
* ''The Front'' (1943 film), a 1943 Soviet drama film
* ''The Front'', 1976 film
Music
* The Front (band), an American rock band signed to Columbia Records and active in the 1980s and e ...
, or
rear-wheel-drive. The term 4x2 is also used, to denote four total wheels with two being driven. Most road vehicles use a 2WD layout due to its lightweight and simplicity. Traction on the road is usually sufficient that the driving force can be reliably transmitted through only two wheels.
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.
Two-wheeled vehicles
For two-wheeled vehicles such as
motorcycles and
bicycles, the term is used to describe vehicles that 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 a
chain
A chain is a serial assembly of connected pieces, called links, typically made of metal, with an overall character similar to that of a rope in that it is flexible and curved in compression but linear, rigid, and load-bearing in tension. A c ...
,
belt
Belt may refer to:
Apparel
* Belt (clothing), a leather or fabric band worn around the waist
* Championship belt, a type of trophy used primarily in combat sports
* Colored belts, such as a black belt or red belt, worn by martial arts practition ...
, or
shaft
Shaft may refer to:
Rotating machine elements
* Shaft (mechanical engineering), a rotating machine element used to transmit power
* Line shaft, a power transmission system
* Drive shaft, a shaft for transferring torque
* Axle, a shaft around whi ...
, 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,
Jeep
Jeep is an American automobile marque, now owned by multi-national corporation Stellantis. Jeep has been part of Chrysler since 1987, when Chrysler acquired the Jeep brand, along with remaining assets, from its previous owner American Moto ...
,
Tarus and Christini. Manufacturers who are working or have worked on a prototype include
ZID,
Suzuki
is a Japan, Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Minami-ku, Hamamatsu, Japan. Suzuki manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, All-terrain vehicle, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), outboard motor, outboard marine engines, wheelchairs ...
,
Yamaha,
KTM,
Honda, and
Nissan
, trade name, trading as Nissan Motor Corporation and often shortened to Nissan, is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automobile manufacturer headquartered in Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Japan. The company sells ...
.
Two-wheel-drive with sidecars
For three-wheeled vehicles such as
motorcycles with
sidecars, the term is used to describe vehicles that 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 the sidecar drive appears in 1928 with the apparent independent invention of
Baughan
Baughan was a British cyclecar and motorcycle manufacturer in business from 1920 until 1936. Founded in 1920 in Harrow, Middlesex, from 1921 the company moved to Stroud, Gloucestershire. After motorcycle production finished the company continu ...
in the UK, and Mokharov in the
USSR.
See also
*
Individual wheel drive
*
Rear-wheel drive
*
All-wheel drive
*
Four-wheel drive
References
External links
A brief history of 2x2 motorcyclesKTM shows a new all-wheel-drive motorcycle under developmentChristini All Wheel Drive MotorcyclesThe Dryvtech 2x2x2 Experimental, a 2x2 motorcycle with two-wheel steering
{{Automobile configuration
Car layouts
Motorcycle transmissions