Four Better Than Two?

FOUR BETTER THAN TWO?

A BMW-powered corner-carving Quad

Awright already, we know the vehicle in the accompanying photos has four wheels. Let us explain. You see, the GG Quad isn’t a car, it isn’t really a kart and it sure as hell isn’t a motorcycle. But believe it or not, this Frankenstein of fun is more akin to a BMW motorcycle than anything else. The Swiss-built, BMW R1150RTpowered rig is already streetlegal in most of Europe and Japan, while the U.S. importer, GG Quad North America (www.gg-quad-northamerica. com), is trying to obtain DOT certification over here.

Build starts in Switzerland, where GG Motorradtechnik buys crated Boxer engines from BMW and then stuffs them into its sophisticated and super-high-quality proprietary chassis. The engine is stock with the exception of a freeflow exhaust and a shorter R1150GS first gear, with an external reverse gear added. This 880-pound street quad’s acceleration won’t impress the average sportbiker, but it still does 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds, which is more than quick enough to scare the eager crowd.

The GG Quad’s chassis is anchored by a tube frame with four CNCmachined billet-aluminum subframes, mounting points for the aluminum trapezoidal A-arms and adjustable Wilbers shocks. Dominating the overall look of the vehicle are giant OZ wheels with Dunlop 195/40-16s up front and 225/35-17s out back. The level of grip is overwhelming. Riding (driving?) the GG in a straight line, the steering feels shifter-kart-like with quick, twitchy movements, but when you get into a fast corner, the four massive contact patches create more grip than any motorcyclist will ever experience. Mid-corner, it takes serious muscle to keep the vehicle on the intended line, with the unaided steering and requisite use of body English wearing you out. The GG-designed brakes, meanwhile, are excellent.

At $49,500 the GG isn’t cheap, but if it’s attention you’re after, this radical fourwheeler is just the ticket. So much so, in fact, we might suggest changing the name to the Q&A Quad

Blake Conner