The Ecosse Spirit ES1 stands out from every other motorcycle available in the market. It can be rightfully called the epitome of superbikes.
The Ecosse Spirit ESI represents the collaborative effort of Don Atchison, an American, and two British individuals, Richard Glover and Andy Le Fleming. Together, they conceived a truly revolutionary motorcycle. Don’s early passion for dirt bikes led him to depart from the corporate world and dedicate himself to his love for motorcycles.
Richard and Andy, renowned engineers and designers in the realm of Formula 1 racing, brought their expertise to the project. Drawing upon the same principles utilized in constructing F1 cars, this team successfully crafted the swiftest and lightest bike in existence.
The exceptional speed of the Ecosse Spirit ESI is achieved through its ultralight aerodynamic design and powerful engine. Its frameless chassis, enveloped in carbon fibre, is complemented by a luxurious leather seat. The rider assumes a position that enhances ergonomics and control by bringing the knees closer to the body.
Furthermore, this remarkable motorcycle employs a distinct suspension system for both the front and rear, with handlebars mounted on the front fork for unrivalled control over the front tire. Weighing approximately 265 lbs, it can reach speeds of up to 230 miles per hour. Truly, this motorcycle embodies the performance prowess of an F1 car.
The Ecosse team understands that dedicated motorcycle enthusiasts desire a personalised connection with their bikes. To fulfil these desires, every potential buyer undergoes a consultation with the design team to meticulously tailor the bike to their requirements. From selecting the desired colour and finish to making choices regarding engine power and speed, both the buyer and the team collaborate to determine even the most intricate details. This collaborative approach ensures that each motorcycle is uniquely customised to meet the individual preferences and needs of its owner.
The Eccosse Spirit ES1 technical detail from MCN
- The Ecosse Spirit ES1 will have no frame, forks or headstock. Two swing-arms, one for the rear wheel and one for the front, would bolt directly to the engine bottom end. The handlebars would be connected to cylinder head and front-wheel by linkages, in a hub-centre steering arrangement.
- The air-box would be where you’d typically find the headstock. The fuel tank would be under the rider, who would sit much lower than on a typical superbike.
- The design allowed the bike to be narrower. The rider’s legs could be closer together and tucked perfectly into recesses in the bodywork. Having two drive chains, one pulling the other, cleared space for the rider’s feet to be closer together too. As well as helping aerodynamics, that meant the feet of the rider could be lower, giving him more space without compromising lean angle.
- The suspension came from F1-inspired torsion bars, more compact than coils springs. Having no forks meant smoother airflow to the radiators.
- Computer drawings show how viewed from above; the ES1 would have perfectly smooth, straight lines, from a narrow front to even smaller tail, a highly aerodynamic shape. The rear wheel was solid-sided to improve airflow further.
- It would weigh just 120kg, even with an inline-four engine, perhaps from Suzuki’s GSX-R1000. With 170bhp, it would hit 220mph. A little tuning, to 210bhp, and it would reach 240mph.
- Glover predicted it would lap the Barcelona circuit a second faster than a conventional bike with identical power.
Glover’s presence wasn’t the sole notable contribution to the project. Andy le Fleming, the chief designer of Ecosse Spirit, had previously gained fame for his work on Ferrari F1 cars, notably pioneering the sport’s initial carbon fibre gearbox.
The company derived its name from a collaboration with Ecosse, a renowned manufacturer of exclusive, limited-production motorcycles in the United States. Among their notable creations was the high-end V-twin sports bike, the Heretic.
This partnership proved to be an ideal foundation for Glover to pursue his ambitious vision of constructing the first batch of ten motorcycles in 2008, destined to redefine the world of motorcycling forever.
Where is the Ecosse Spirit ES1 now?
In January 2008, the wind-tunnel model of the motorcycle made its debut at the MCN London Motorcycle Show, although production was slated for 2009.
Visitors to the show greeted the unveiling with cautious enthusiasm. Charlie Clerke, a London resident, remarked, “It’s encouraging to witness technological advancements, and it’s also quite visually striking.”
However, progress was stymied. By December 2008, the company still lacked the necessary funding to create a functional prototype. The project faced considerable challenges due to the prevailing economic conditions commonly referred to as the “credit crunch” at that time.
Glover expressed disappointment in the response from major manufacturers during their discussions. He stated, “They weren’t particularly receptive to external ideas, especially the Japanese manufacturers, who cited concerns about the potential infringement of their intellectual property.”
Nonetheless, the team maintained an optimistic outlook, hinting at a prospective new backer. Le Fleming suggested that a working prototype could be developed for less than £1 million within approximately a year. Regrettably, those aspirations were not realised.
Six years after the initial optimistic projections, and a full eight years after the project’s inception, the ES1 remains a wind-tunnel model. Its sleek design is only effective at remaining stationary during hurricane-like conditions. The only winds it currently deflects are those generated by passing Ecosse Spirit personnel.
The company acknowledges that the project is now on “indefinite hold,” but steadfastly asserts that it should not be classified as a failure. Wendy Atchison, co-founder and marketing director of Ecosse, stated, “The ES1 project did not fail. It was temporarily set aside due to time constraints faced by one of the key contributors.”
That key contributor is Glover, who Atchison revealed is currently fully engaged in his professional responsibilities at McLaren, leaving limited availability for the ES1 project.
Header image credit: Anders Vindegg, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr
