Pushing the envelope of how bikes could be.
We will all agree that the world is full of crazy ideas that you’d go ”why?”. But these crazy ideas are the reason we’re so fascinated at how we are capable of exceeding the borders we put on ourselves. There is one for every hobbyist and enthusiast. For bike enthusiasts, one of those crazy ideas must be the Dodge Tomahawk, the behemoth of a motorbike with a Viper V10 powering it along. It’s a bike we’ve talked about many, many months ago, and today, we will do the same for the Lazareth LM 847, which is a motorbike powered by a Maserati V8. It’s definitely worth mentioning, because I think I like motorbikes that way much more. So let’s take a look at this bike on steroids and see why it’s such a mind-numbingly amazing machine.
Now, imagine yourself in a motorbike with a big car engine under you that produces more horsepower than most of the cars you will encounter on the road. The amount of smug, also potential wee in your pants would surely make this experience one of those you’d never forget. Introduced by Lazareth Motoring, a French/Swiss motorbike producer and visionary back in 2016, The LM 847 looks similar to Dodge’s Tomahawk, but much more drivable and lighter. Don’t even have to mention the looks I presume, as it looks straight out of Bruce Wayne’s garage with its big, menacing stance. When we are done staring at it and snap out of being mesmerized by its looks, we can see why this machine is such a big deal.
The 4.7L V8 that powers the LM 847 is lifted from a Maserati GranTurismo and produces 470 HP at 7000rpm and 620nm of torque at 4750rpm. Now, in a normal car, those numbers are still impressive but nothing to be stunned about, considering how the 1000hp barrier is now easily breakable, but on a motorbike, these ballistic numbers are extraterrestial, just like its looks. The huge power also means that the bike does not need to shift, so it’s fitted with a hydraulic coupler rationing all the power to the one-speed final drive chain. The top speed and acceleration figures are not revealed by Lazareth, only calling it ”in seconds”. Well, considering the dry weight of around 400 kg, the 0 to 60 mph figure might just be around 2.5-3 seconds. I’m really not sure how a human body can cope with that amount of thrust in a bike, but it’s definitely worth trying, or dying for. The top speed might just be around 300 km/h mark (186 m ph), at least that’s how much the one-gear final drive could possibly take. It would be great if we had proper numbers by the brand, though.
Now, obviously, a standard steering system wouldn’t work for such a motorbike, so Lazareth uses an independent suspension by TFX on all four wheels. Therefore, like the Tomahawk, it’s designed for the rider to lean and countersteer just like how you would in a three-wheeler. The bike is also fitted with exclusive Michelin Power Cup Evo tires that gaslight you into burning them out. When things get too hot, though, the stopping power is provided by 8-piston calipers and two perimetric 420mm brake rotors, Brembo for rear and Nissin for front, so you will be fine, probably.
I think you should be a lunatic to attempt to ride a motorbike that has a better power-to-weight ratio than almost anything on the road and posesses a heart stolen from an already bonkers sports car, but that is exactly why you should get one. Sadly, you cannot, as there are no production plans yet, and so far it’s only a concept just like our beloved Tomahawk. It’s a shame to see these wild ideas not being put into action, but it’s still a nice sight to see the idea of a four-wheel wide motorbikes with gigantic car engines being revisited. It’s not only a sight to behold for motorcycle enthusiasts, but car guys as well, as it demonstrates what a car engine could alternatively power and how it would absolutely excel at it.
