Christini AWD Dual Sport Bike

[SpudRider]

The Christini, all-wheel-drive, dual sport bike is manufactured in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but it based on a Chinese motorcycle, the Asiawing LX450S.

http://www.christini.com/wp-content/uploads/2013-450DS-Side-View-WEB.jpg

http://www.christini.com/bikes/christini-awd-450-ds

http://www.asiawing.com/english/lx450s.html

As the following videos demonstrate, the Christini AWD bikes deliver superior traction. Surely this must be the future for off road motorcycles. :tup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBTFB1rq1kU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVPVdwdH74o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE14nCmZzh4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PwurlgyF3k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CMYwP1EvKM

[SpudRider]

In the following videos, Steve Christini describes the technology of his ingenious, all-wheel-drive motorcycles. :tup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o3I0VMaFMk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZvt8Pp1ABg

[SpudRider]

An owner of the Christini AWD bike has dis-assembled the motorcycle in the following videos, where he describes in detail how the technology is designed. :tup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXx2qbt6-8A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nczZ-MlwIcw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F8TKmTUgYk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSrhie-T4aI

http://blog.christini.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/labeled_christini_frame.jpg

[SpudRider]

The Military Edition of the Christini AWD bike is currently being employed by the U.S. military in the Middle East.

http://www.christini.com/bikes/christini-awd-military

http://www.cycleworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Christini-AWD-450-Military-Edition_001-300x200.jpg

http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/03/26/christini-awd-450-military-edition-first-look-review/

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/christini-awd-450-military-edition-bike-photo-gallery-57022.html

http://canadamotoguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Mil-Bikes-In-Training-31-720x453.jpg

http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/gallery/medium/christini-awd-450-military-edition-bike-photo-gallery-medium_9.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxUiHLXsLJQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8psSktSq7A

[SpudRider]

Here are a few more photographs showing the ingenious, Christini AWD technology. :)

http://motorcyclephotooftheday.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/christini_awd_009.jpg?w=627

http://motorcyclephotooftheday.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/christini_awd_014.jpg?w=627

http://motorcyclephotooftheday.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/christini_awd_020.jpg?w=627

[SpudRider]

I would be remiss if I did not mention the Christini AWD DS bikes are coming to Canada. ;)

http://canadamotoguide.com/2013/01/17/christini-two-wheel-drive-bikes-coming-to-canada/

[katoranger]

What bike is that with the 2 stroke engine? Changing gears would not be fun or cheap.

[Weldangrind]

That two stroke is a KTM with a Rekluse clutch. I'd love to take it for a rip.

[katoranger]

Maybe this is replacing the diesel KLR for the military. Go against the one fuel idea though.

[Weldangrind]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F8TKmTUgYk

Ingenious design. I wonder how much torque the counter-rotating shafts can take. I also wonder how much power the entire front drive system is pulling from the motor. I expect that 450 is making gobs of torque, so some power loss in inconsequential.

As a point of trivia, can anybody name the song that's playing in the background of this video?

[Weldangrind]

Maybe this is replacing the diesel KLR for the military. Go against the one fuel idea though.

They could certainly use a diesel powerplant and achieve the two wheel drive system.

[zingshoen]

thanks for putting this info together in one place, spud! i hope someone gets to compare the hooligan and the christini and the honda. that would be an interesting review.

[SpudRider]

thanks for putting this info together in one place, spud! i hope someone gets to compare the hooligan and the christini and the honda. that would be an interesting review.
I own a Honda CRF250X. CCW can send me a Hooligan, and Christini can send me an AWD 450 DS. :)

:lol:

[FastDoc]

I knew it was CRF450 based, and now I know how they were able to meet that price point. Interesting.

[SpudRider]

That two stroke is a KTM with a Rekluse clutch. I'd love to take it for a rip.
X2! :tup: I'd love to take any of these AWD bikes for a rip! ;)

[SpudRider]

I knew it was CRF450 based, and now I know how they were able to meet that price point. Interesting.
Dare I say, perhaps the Chinese corrected some of the potential problems with the CRF450X? :wtf: Perhaps the Chinese lengthened the piston skirt, and added another compression ring to the piston? Perhaps the Chinese installed steel intake valves at the factory? If these bikes hold up for the U.S. Military, perhaps the long desired, larger displacement, reliable Chinese motorcycle has finally arrived on our shores, and has AWD to boot! :tup:

[SpudRider]

This Chinese engine has got to have some reliability, or it couldn't stand up to this punishment. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBTFB1rq1kU

I don't think the U.S. Military pampers their vehicles, either. ;)

[FastDoc]

Dare I say, perhaps the Chinese corrected some of the potential problems with the CRF450X? :wtf: Perhaps the Chinese lengthened the piston skirt, and added another compression ring to the piston? Perhaps the Chinese installed steel intake valves at the factory? If these bikes hold up for the U.S. Military, perhaps the long desired, larger displacement, reliable Chinese motorcycle has finally arrived on our shores, and has AWD to boot! :tup:

Sounds good to me.

[Weldangrind]

This Chinese engine has got to have some reliability, or it couldn't stand up to this punishment. ;)

I don't think the U.S. Military pampers their vehicles, either. ;)

Those secondary drive chains will be tested in the middle eastern desert. I wonder how well the cable-actuated gear will stand up to punishment. The guy in the vid you posted was replacing his gear mechanism after 150 hours.

[SpudRider]

Those secondary drive chains will be tested in the middle eastern desert. I wonder how well the cable-actuated gear will stand up to punishment. The guy in the vid you posted was replacing his gear mechanism after 150 hours.
True enough; that's another drive chain to lubricate and maintain. However, the benefits of all-wheel-drive deserve a little more maintenance. Also, one shouldn't engage the AWD unless he is off road, so that should reduce wear. ;)

I surmised the gentleman in the video had the system apart for cleaning, and periodic maintenance. I inferred he was changing the gear mechanism because Christini had sent him an improved version, not because the original mechanism had failed. :shrug:

[culcune]

If these bikes hold up for the U.S. Military, perhaps the long desired, larger displacement, reliable Chinese motorcycle has finally arrived on our shores, and has AWD to boot! :tup:

I am also rooting for the Xingyue 400. I had bad luck with my original Jetmoto 200 enduro back in 2006, but one Honda VT 500 bought and sold, and then bikeless for a few years, later, and now the much more reliable TMEC 200.

[SpudRider]

Those secondary drive chains will be tested in the middle eastern desert. I wonder how well the cable-actuated gear will stand up to punishment. The guy in the vid you posted was replacing his gear mechanism after 150 hours.
The Owner's Manual for the DS bike is located on the Christini website at the following location.

http://www.christini.com/wp-content/uploads/2012CHRISTINIAWD450MANUAL.pdf

Maintenance of the AWD system is thoroughly covered in the manual. However, I could not find a maintenance schedule for the AWD components.

[katoranger]

So it is a part time system. I thought it was always on.

[SpudRider]

So it is a part time system. I thought it was always on.
You can engage, and disengage the AWD system by switching a lever on the handlebars. :) Therefore, I would only engage the AWD while riding off road. ;)

[SpudRider]

Yesterday I sent the following email to Steve Christini.

Steve,

Please tell me more about the Asiawing engine in your AWD 450 DS bike. How does it differ from the Honda CRF450X engine, and how reliable has it been?

I'm a moderator at the China Riders website, and I have started a thread on your AWD 450 DS bike.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=12760

If you like, we would love to have you join our conversation regarding your ingenious AWD motorcycles.

Today I received this prompt reply. :)

There is actually very little on that bike that is an Asiawing. Even the frame is different. The only thing really is the engine, but that too we have some upgrades in the works including our own fuel injection and self adjusting carburetion. We also improved on several other aspects.

CHRISTINI AWD 450 Motorcycle design Explanation:

The motor and frame are based on the CRF 450X design. However, none of the bike is actually assembled by Honda even though some of the parts are the same. It is not a Honda frame converted nor it is a Honda motor but the CRF is the base design. Thus, parts for our bikes are available as stock 450X replacement parts.

The bottom end of the motor is virtually identical to a 450x down to the Japanese bearings and seals. The top end has a unique cam and decompression system similar to the KTM design. For the most parts can be interchanged with a Honda CRF 450X. The outer casings are the same so it appears just like a 450X motor with a different finish. We inventory the stock parts and can ship replacements the same day. You can purchase replacement and service parts (air filters, oil filters, etc.) from online or other retailers with crossover part numbers to the 450X.

The chassis uses the same geometry and shape as the 450x. The subframe, airbox, seat, swingarm, plastics, rear brake and sprockets are all 450X matches. So this opens the door for 450X replacement parts. And aftermarket parts such as pipes, skid plates radiator guards, rear brake stuff, etc.

The items on our bike that make it unique are the AWD components which is the majority of the front end of the bike. We use Marzocchi forks, our own billet triple clamps, and an AWD system which is fully integrated into the frame. The tank is custom, and we have the wheels and several other unique parts made for us which makes the bike uniquely a CHRISTINI.

[SpudRider]

I just learned the Christini bike received CARB approval for California in November of 2015. :tup:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2015/11/article/carb-approval-for-christini-all-wheel-drive-450-dual-sport/

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2016_Christini-AWD450DS-1024x682.jpg?378220

[2LZ]

They must be serious then to play with CARB approval. There is a huge riding market here though. Anyone passing it up is just losing sales. I can see where this AWD system would change a lifetime of riding habits of pivoting and steering with your rear tire in the dirt. I wonder how the system would handle the rigors and brutal beating of a super cross track? I'd like to see a pro MXer take this for a spin on an arena track.

[BlackBike]

i thought this would be interesting to us newbs from the 2013 posts. all 50 state legal now, If i had an extra 10k in the drawer that i had forgotten about, i'd own it. super cool. and made in the usa!

those high flying triple jumps would be different with that driven front wheel.

spud said..."You can engage, and disengage the AWD system by switching a lever on the handlebars. Therefore, I would only engage the AWD while riding off road."

Nice:clap:

[SpudRider]

They must be serious then to play with CARB approval. There is a huge riding market here though. Anyone passing it up is just losing sales. I can see where this AWD system would change a lifetime of riding habits of pivoting and steering with your rear tire in the dirt. I wonder how the system would handle the rigors and brutal beating of a super cross track? I'd like to see a pro MXer take this for a spin on an arena track.

Christini is selling these bikes to the U.S. military and British special forces.

http://www.christini.com/news/us-military-receives-christini-awd-450-motorcycles

http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=737

https://rideapart.com/articles/christini-awd-450-military

https://cdn.rideapart.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/embedded-112.jpg

[BlackBike]

https://cdn.rideapart.com/wp-content/uploads/2013%2F03%2F01-topshot-x8.jpg

thanks spud, checked out those links

[FastDoc]

I always thought it was based on the CRF450X. Interesting.

[mq1991]

This video is pretty cool as well! Id love to get my hands on one of these bikes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfBXlWS94AM