Could this be the future of motorcycle engines?

When I think of motorcycles and rotary engines, my mind always goes to the Suzuki RE-5.

It's the only mass produced rotary engine bike I can think of, but now there's a new player on the scene that uses rotation as well. It's not a rotary engine, but an engine that relies heavily on rotating parts. Invented by Michel Arsenaeu about 20 years ago the design has been undergoing development and refinement over the past seven years.

Avadi Engines/Facebook

In the MA-250, as Avadi Engines calls the single-cylinder four-stroke 250cc prototype, the piston travels up and down in the cylinder, just as you'd expect, but what you might not expect is that it also rotates while it's doing that, and so does the cylinder.

There are a pair of counter-rotating con rods that are self-balancing and eliminate a traditional crankshaft and all the weight that brings. Avadi claims the design generates less heat, friction, wear, and vibration that a regular internal combustion.

There's no camshaft-driven valve gear either as the intake and exhaust duties are handled by rotary discs found in the cylinder head.

It's a very compact design with a impressive power-to-weight ratio that just cries out for motorcycle use. It weighs just over 23 pounds and puts out nearly 16 horsepower and 22.3 ft. lbs. of torque. Avadi says it can be easily scaled up or down in displacement and is ideal for uses ranging from motorcycles to drones to generators to lawn mowers - even light sport aircraft.

Half the number of parts tells me that it would be easier, and cheaper, to manufacture. And not only that, sounds like it would be pretty simple to work on too.

This powerplant seems like it would be the perfect match for a boutique motorcycle manufacturer or a customizer if they could get their hands on one. I can just imagine what a really talented designer could do with a small and very light, powerful engine.

Would rank up there with the Honda NR750 - remember those - in terms of unique piston design? I'd say yes, and maybe even moreso. What do you think?