The Rare Engine that Kills Everything it Touches

Only one internal combustion design from the 20th century has gone into production: the Wankel Rotary. Yet every motorcycle manufacturer who tries it goes bankrupt. What’s the curse?

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Directed and Edited by Luke McAdam

[kyphilburg]

The way the paper lands perfectly on the seat at 7:58 was either unplanned or this was take 23. Either way, the fact that Ryan seemed not to notice was the best part.

[skyrimmodding]

“The scariest philosophical question born in the bathhouses of Ancient Rome. Who’s wankle am I touching…. “
F9 is truly a wordsmith and a poet

[aMaff]

"I once went to Poland in September. It was lovely! You just...can't get carried away"
OMG
😂😂😂

[db]

Your production value is through the roof. Love your work.

[marke]

I live in the town where Felix Wankel had his workshop and lived while engineering the rotary engine. My mother knew him. Had a small dog apparently. He also developed a boat which could dive under waves. That's why his workshop is a few feet away from lake constance. The facility is owned by Audi today.

[PiXimperfect]

This is a Netflix series for motorcycle lovers. Period.

[barkingdog]

This guy is truly a great presenter. Not sure if he’s the writer as well but both writing and presentation are extremely entertaining.

[MrReinartzc]

These videos are some of the best on this platform. I'm not even a motorcycle guy and I can't get enough of these videos. They're amazingly well done. Keep up the great work!!

[brianrainey]

Rumour has it that Mazda has never actually stopped developing their rotary in their secret labs deep down underground. As a former RX8 owner, I sold before seal failure, I love the rotary and would love to have another….

[gustavocardoso]

You're not a reviewer, you're a story teller, and that's amazing!

[techhelpwizardgenie]

The scene of you just coughing in the lobby of that bike shop was priceless. Pure gold. Keep on doing whatever this is.

[Zoofactory]

You deserve an award for your work these past few years. Incredible job. 👏👏

[amr]

Can we all agree that Ryan from Fortnine is a freaking living legend in the motorcycle community.

[BCpov]

The episodes about weird and extinct bikes/technologies are my favourites.

Thanks guys 🙂

[andrewpearce]

This video is so well put together, it‘s a piece of art and a pleasure to watch. Also gives me a hometown vibe, counting 16 years in Austria and being from North Vancouver. Thanks for the awesome content!

[pauldutoit]

Great videos! I appreciate the effort that you put into planning and filming these. The videography is awesome. Well done!

[stk]

My parents were a Hercules dealer in the late 70's. Couldn't sell any of the 3 bikes initially sold to them by the company. So, the oil injector model(yes there was one you didn't have to pre-mix for) went to a business partner/investor. The 2 pre-mixers, dad road raced. One was a sprint race bike, the other the endurance bike. Never won anything, but never finished last. He ran them until about 1983.

[glennmassengill]

In 1974 I was in the Army, station in What was West Germany, and I remember the Hercules rotary engine motorcycle. I was fascinated by it but I couldn’t figure out how it worked. It was a nice looking bike and I still remember this weird motorcycle like it was yesterday. Thanks for doing a show on it, it made me fill young again.

[mathewpeters]

This popped up on my suggested, took a chance and watched since I've always been interested in the Hercules.

I was not disappointed. The voice, the style in which you weave the history, humor and production together made this entertaining. I'll be sure to check out some more vids. Subscribed.

[nicolasmingham]

You forgot the Henry Ford quote " The answer to the question no-one ever asked ! " i`m a Brit-expat living just down the road from the old NSU Werk who knows quite a few Ro80 owners, who would probably find this video a bitter pill to swallow. Am enjoying your work, well done. Nick