McLean Monowheel- 1998

A monowheel is one big wheel with the rider and engine inside the circumference. It differs from a unicycle which has the rider above the wheel. The first known patent was issued to Allen Greene and Elisha Dyer of Providence, Rhode Island in 1869. The idea of a single wheeled motorcycle has captured the imagination of designers for nearly 150 years, and while many have experimented with the format, the idea has remained a novelty. Before you is a Mclean wheel. Kerry Mclean began experimenting with single wheeled motorcycles in the mid-1970s and has spent over 30 years perfecting his monowheel. The monowheel depends on a gyroscopic effect to keep it upright. Much like a bicycle, the wheel is unstable at slow speeds. At 15 mph, you can put your feet on the footpegs. Turning is accomplished by leaning. Learning to ride takes patience and practice.

Specifications:
Manufacturer: Kerry McLean
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
Engine: 5 hp Briggs & Stratton 
Transmission: Centrifugal clutch
Top Speed: 40 miles per hour
Years of Production: 1998-present
Number Produced: Few
Original Cost: $7,500