AgBob's Pulse Motocycle

1989 Pulse

There were approximately 300 PULSE vehicles built before going out of business in the early 1990's.  This particular vehicle is a one of a kind paint design.  It was used by the company for promotions to attract people at store openings and special events, etc. in the Michigan area. Most of the paint jobs were solid colors, red, white and black.

The body was designed by Jim Bede, an aircraft designer that sold single man BD5 aircraft kits all over the U.S. in the 1970s.

The first time I saw a Pulse was in an RV show.  The next time I saw one near my home in Washington State.  I recognized it and followed it and found the driver used to be a neighbor that had moved to Tennessee.  He gave me the phone number of the company.  They sent me a picture of this Pulse.  I ordered it by phone.  It was to be delivered along with another one bought by a couple in Vas Vegas, Nevada to their home where I picked it up and drove home.

I have driven it in all the western states and British Columbia.  State Patrols and city police have stopped me numerous times to check it out.  Most of them are just curious as to what it is.  The licence is hard to see on the rear so they want to be certain it has one.

When you drive the Pulse you feel like royalty, so many people wave, honk their horns or at least have a big smile as they pass.  When ever it stops, people gather to look and visit.  You never get lonely while cruising around the country no matter where you are.

It has been displayed in local papers in nearly every state it passes through as well as causing a stir on Edwards Air Force Base in California.  People like Graig Johnson of Gaberville, California follow along until I pull over somewhere so they can ask about it.  Graig operates a business for Custom high performance motorcycles called "Acme Rocket Bike," which sounds interesting.

At Edwards Air Force Base in June of 1992.

The PULSE is a "GCRV", or Ground Cruising Recreational Vehicle.  This new term appropriately describes the PULSE because the vehicle has the performance and acceleration of a motorcycle engineered into a comfortable weatherproof vehicle with many of the attributes of an automobile.  An alternate term for the PULSE is an "autocycle".

The PULSE was manufactured by OMCC, and distributed by Z Promotions, Inc., Midland, MI 48640.

Its body resembles a high performance jet aircraft, yet drives like a sports car.  The exceptionally long wheel base provides unmatched stability and driving comfort for a vehicle of its weight, class and fuel economy.  It seats two (tandem) and has almost six (6) cubic feet of storage space.

The PULSE has been designed to provide dependable, safe & economical transportation in a brand new form of fun machine.  The 1989 model is powered by a water-cooled 1100cc motorcycle engine.  The Pulse has driving controls like those in an automobile with a manual transmission.

Slide back the canopy and settle into the comfortable cockpit of the PULSE. The full instrumentation is neatly arranged, oil light and temperature gauges & tachometer.  Punch the accelerator, you're ready for take off — working your way through the 5 gears as you slide effortlessly through the traffic or on an open freeway.  The PULSE provides a driving experience unequalled in any other type of vehicle.

The PULSE is a two (2) wheeled vehicle equipped with an additional two (2) wheels, located as outriggers, one on each side.  The outrigger wheels provide balance for the vehicle when it is at rest or in a turn.

As the gyroscopic action of the main wheels increase the outriggers no longer bear weight.  It is impossible to tell which outrigger is touching the ground until a turn is made if the air shocks are at the right pressure.

With no more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground at any one time, the PULSE is considered a three (3) wheeled vehicle & is licensed as a motorcycle.  In certain states a special category of license has been created, such as in Michigan, appropriate for the PULSE, an "autocycle."

The frame of the vehicle is constructed of welded steel tubing, which in turn is fitted into the fuselage "shell."  Steering is accomplished with a standard size wheel with a red PULSE logo in the center.

OMCC used to offer a 1100/1200cc four cylinder horizontally opposed water cooled motorcycle engine that featured a five (5) speed manual transmission coupled with shaft drive, using lead free gasoline. The 5 speed transmission and reverse gear allows the pilot of the vehicle to be in full control, using a ratchet type gear shift lever located in the right side panel.

The suspension is basically comprised of air shock absorbers mounted on rear and specially designed spring-over front shocks.  The front tire is a 13" automotive tire.  The outrigger tires are smaller 8" trailer tires.  Brakes are located on the main wheels and are hydraulic disc giving the PULSE exceptionally short braking distances.

The body styling of the PULSE gives it a fantastic futuristic look, at the same time following form with function.  The aerodynamic shape allows the vehicle to cut through the wind and results in unusually high fuel mileage and performance.  The PULSE has ten (10) times less drag than a motorcycle and its rider. The body is also designed in such a way as to increase stability and directional control as speed increases.  The drag coefficient is .193.

Dardanelle, CA 2003

All you need to know is how to drive a regular automobile with a manual transmission.  Controls are quite conventional.  The shift lever is mounted by your right hand.  Floor pedals are for the clutch, brake and accelerator.  The only driving aspect that differs from a car is that you drive with your body in the middle of the lane of traffic instead of to one side.

The driver of the PULSE does not lean into a turn as with a motorcycle or aircraft, but instead to the outside of the turn as you would expect in an automobile.  This is most easily demonstrated in a low speed turn.  At high speeds, such as when changing lanes, the PULSE seems simply to move sideways with almost no tilt at all.

The most outstanding performance characteristic is high fuel mileage.  Owners report figures of 50-55 mpg when driving normal highway speeds.  One customer claims 70 mpg using an oil additive to the gasoline.  Test vehicles have achieved as high as 80 mpg under controlled conditions.

How safe is the PULSE?  One clear answer is that the PULSE with two (2) roll-bars, front & rear, seatbelts & a steel inner frame construction over a much greater length than can be clearly shown in photographs, plus the outrigger wheels to prevent turnover of the vehicle at normal highway speeds, the PULSE is for certain the safest motorcycle on the road today.  Crash-worthiness is probably comparable to that of a small car.  On the plus side is the fact that the fibreglass body of the PULSE can absorb and dissipate energy.  The roll bar can handle six (6) times the weight of the entire vehicle.  With a carpeted (option) roll bar, you sit within the cockpit and pierce the landscape ahead.  The size of the PULSE is difficult to imagine without seeing one.  It is much larger than it appears in photographs.

You are required to have a motorcycle endorsement, a written test, on your regular automotive license.  Requirements can vary from state to state.  The PULSE is licensed in 27 states, all major market areas.  Helmets are not required due to the roll-bar, canopy (equal to the strength of a helmet), and seat belts.  The PULSE was designed to comply with USA Federal Regulations Title 49, Part 571.3 as a motorcycle.  The license plate area is designed for a motorcycle plate and is placed directly under the rear taillight.

It is insured as a motorcycle.  Rates vary from area to area. 

In case of body damage, the parts were readily available through OMCC and/or a technician familiar with fibreglass repair procedures.  All the parts are automotive and/or motorcycle, easily accessible through automotive part outlets.

I have found the canopy slides to be a weak point.  Each side has been replaced twice.  The engine is very hard to access, but it has been trouble free.  The air shocks need to be checked daily during use.  Too much pressure and the vehicle tilts to one side or the other.

Low pacer lets both side wheels touch down making a rougher ride and a tendency to slightly skid the side wheels on cornering.

To get to the battery, the rear part of the body and the gas tank have to be removed.  Screws on canopy slides and body need to be checked occasionally for tightness.

The 1100/1200cc engine with 85 plus horsepower adds to the quick acceleration and passing speeds.  Without definite test data at this time, you could be assured of speeds in excess of 120 mph. (That was a company claim, the way my throttle linkage is, maybe 90 mph.)

Acceleration is brisk.  0-60 in 6.7 seconds.  (The company claim, may be optimistic.

Includes AM-FM radio/cassette, lighting, radar, custom upholstery, air conditioning, a windshield wiper and the PULSE provides a heater/defroster with fresh air vents and pop-up head light with dimmer.

At Edwards Air Force Base in June of 1992.

Webmistress: Judith Tramayne-Barth
Site hosted by Jumpline.com