FF Machines

What is an FF?

There's a small but persistent movement in motorcycling, mainly based in the UK, that believes that motorcycles suffer from their past history of being literally "motorised bicycles". This has led to a head forwards design with a high headstock, centralised engine and generally poor aerodynamics. While this gives good control at speed and has led to the amazing machines we have today, it is also unnecessarily uncomfortable and unsound from an engineering stand point.

The FF is a solution to this that is mainly characterised by a "Feet Forwards" riding position similar to a chopper or sitting in a car seat. Apart from this, many FFs have been built with unconventional front suspension arrangements although some have conventional forks. Equally, many have been built with big fairings and even roofs, unconstrained by the FIM rulings on racing fairing design, although again some have no fairing.

Every so often the FF Fraternity gets into some arguments about exactly what makes an FF and why machines like standard Harley-Davidsons are not FF. The current consensus seems to be "An FF is a single track vehicle with a seat height below 20" and a seat back capable of supporting the rider." It's really the low seat and seat back that makes all the difference.

Recliner Bicycles have been rather more successful than FF Motorcycles and these have proved very popular in Europe and California. They have been designed with similar motivations and a similar dissatisfaction with the rules imposed by the racing authorities.

In some ways although this site is about the machines, it is also a tribute to the strange and wonderful people who built and owned them. In particular, Malcolm Newell who scratched out a living building them and sadly is no longer with us.

FF (dis)Advantages

The primary justification for FFs is to attempt to design a two wheeled vehicle which provides all of the enjoyment of a motorcycle but avoids the negative aspects of riding. The aim is to achieve this without giving up any of the positive aspects.

All motorcycle design is a mess of compromises and FFs tend towards the touring end of the spectrum. Their weird appearance and unconventionality can generate some bad feeling from fellow motorcyclists and a lot of gentle ribbing. The generally low build quality of many of the home built examples has not helped this. In my opinion, every one of the examples so far, has shown some fault that prevented it from reaching the real potential of the marque. I'm personally convinced of the correctness of the idea but unhappy with the execution so far. In any case, the FF approach shows a great deal of merit and there is plenty of room for further experimentation.

Comfort

The riding position, and fairings fitted, radically improve comfort even over full tourers. Many of the designs included some form of heating and this helps to increase the riding season. The riding position allows the rider to be fully relaxed (something almost impossible on a race replica) and as comfortable as in an open top car.

Safety

Empirical crash testing (some deliberate!) has shown that FFs are substantially safer than conventional motorcycles. One example of this involved a classic 30 mph T bone into a small van coming out of a turning. The bike hit the car hard enough to spin it through 180 deg. The rider stayed with the bike through most of this and suffered a bruised thumb. The car occupants had to go to hospital!

In Malcolm Newell's words, the general approach to this is "to hold on tight, shut your eyes and wait for the noise to stop!"

Control

As the rider is comfortable, relaxed and in a quiet environment out of the wind, they can concentrate on controlling the machine. In particular, it is a great deal easier to control braking when no effort is being expended on simply hanging on to the bike.

The low centre of gravity can be used to improve the responsive of the bikes. Cornering tends to use counter steering to a greater extent as the firm seat and backrest makes weight movement more difficult.

Aerodynamics

The low height and frontal area should improve aerodynamics considerably with attendant improvements in top speed and fuel consumption. In addition, most faired FFs have ignored the current conventional designs that are mandated by racing regulations that date back to the 50s. In particular, the large tail area reduces turbulence and improves performance in side winds.

Downside

As has been said, FFs tend towards the touring end of the spectrum. They undeniably lose a little in town riding. In practice, they can be hustled through traffic with a little practice. The biggest effect is on leg and stomach muscles from lifting your feet onto the footrests!

In case you're wondering, yes they do work! This was taken at a TV shoot at the Science Museum Warehouse at Wroughton airfield.

There are many machines that I have not mentioned here. If you have any details on these or others and in particular if you have scanned pictures, please email me.