Dan Gurney, founder of Dan Gurney Alligator Motorcycles, Inc. is at it again. One of our readers, Bill Kniegge has sent us some information and pics of the latest Gurney project – the Alligator Instigator – which has been developed by Dan and his son Justin.
While the earlier Alligator was powered by a 670cc, single-cylinder Honda engine, the Instigator is fitted with a 2032cc S&S V-twin, which is much bigger and more powerful than any engine previously used on Alligator motorcycles. The feet-forward design, however, is the same as before and the very low seat height provides a very low centre of gravity, which is said to help handling in a very big way.
The all-new Gurney Alligator Instigator. Conventional, it certainly isn't...
Other bits on the Alligator Instigator include a Baker six-speed gearbox, custom-built exhaust system, a chassis made of chrome-moly 4030 tubing, machined-from-billet aluminium swingarm, USD fork, Penske monoshock, Dymag forged alloy wheels and Beringer brakes. The bodywork is made of carbonfibre and instrumentation is from Motec.
‘Conventional sportbikes are tall, with short wheelbases to make them turn quickly. This limits their acceleration and braking by making them prone to wheelies and stoppies. Gurney's concept has some extra wheelbase that may slow steering somewhat, but its centre of gravity – another important aspect of swift turning – is so low that the Alligator flicks into corners very quickly,’ said the legendary Kevin Cameron, when he rode a Gurney Alligator bike back in 2000, for Cycle World magazine. ‘Under acceleration and braking, the Alligator's lower centre of gravity and longer wheelbase allow it to generate higher peak values without lifting its wheels. And why not? Orthodoxy is not destiny,’ said Cameron.
Hmmm… the Gurneys plans to build around 50 units of the Instigator, so if you want one, you’d better hurry up already. Visit the Alligator Motorcycle website here for more details.
‘Conventional sportbikes are tall, with short wheelbases to make them turn quickly. This limits their acceleration and braking by making them prone to wheelies and stoppies. Gurney's concept has some extra wheelbase that may slow steering somewhat, but its centre of gravity – another important aspect of swift turning – is so low that the Alligator flicks into corners very quickly,’ said the legendary Kevin Cameron, when he rode a Gurney Alligator bike back in 2000, for Cycle World magazine. ‘Under acceleration and braking, the Alligator's lower centre of gravity and longer wheelbase allow it to generate higher peak values without lifting its wheels. And why not? Orthodoxy is not destiny,’ said Cameron.
Hmmm… the Gurneys plans to build around 50 units of the Instigator, so if you want one, you’d better hurry up already. Visit the Alligator Motorcycle website here for more details.
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