De Alessio Piana / Corsedimoto.com
Characterized by an unconventional fork (double wishbone), the Métiss continues its commitment to endurance with a new solution for the 24 2019 Hours of Le Mans.
In the Endurance World Championship, life in what we call “the experimental category” is getting tougher. Whether because of the level which has increased exponentially in recent seasons, or a regulation of the old Open class which limits (and greatly) the possibility of deploying real prototypes which can create a certain "discomfort " in absolute. Despite these difficulties, it is undoubtedly pleasant to find ourselves three months before the 24 hours of Le Mans, on April 20 and 21, with the certainty that the original metiss will be there. Initially greeted with skepticism and a touch of curiosity on the part of insiders, the futuristic motorcycle characterized by an unconventional fork (Formula 1 double wishbone style with variable geometry) has successfully established itself over the years in the Open / Experimental at the 24 Heures Moto at Le Mans and the Bol d'Or, asserting a historic presence in endurance marathons from 2006 to today.
PRESTIGIOUS RESULTS – In addition to the technical features that made people talk about it, the Metiss has earned the respect of its opponents on the field. The “Open” project was launched in 2006 after a debut in 2003 (the late Anthony Delhalle was also involved in 2004-2005 at Oschersleben), and the experimental French motorcycle achieved respectable results: 7 times in the top 10 at the Bol d'Or (6th in 2003 and 2004, 10th in 2005, 8th in 2006, 7th in 2010, 7th in 2010, 9th in 2011 and 2014), 3 times in 17 participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (7th in 2003 , 8th in 2005, 10th in 2010). Performances that even intrigued a technical genius like Guy Coulon, who showed up at the 2016 Bol d'Or Pre-Test to follow the evolution of the project from the Metiss box.
BUDGETARY PROBLEMS – For Metiss, however, it hasn’t been all roses and laurels. In 2017, for budgetary reasons, the team was unable to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Fortunately, thanks to the intervention of some local sponsors, €25 was found to allow the continuation of this beautiful story on two wheels, changing both the livery (from red to silver) and the company name, today today “Moto Expérimentale Team Innovation Sport Système”, whose initials (a coincidence… sought after) form the word Metiss.
THE ADVENTURE GOES ON – With this injection of funds, Metiss can continue the endurance adventure with the initial prerogatives. The new MS18 retains the double triangle fork (as in Formula 1) with variable geometry patented by JBB, an acronym of the ingenious Jean Bertrand Bruneau. The new thing is that the fork is now fixed on a carrier engine (Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2017), all for a total weight of 10 kg more, but with a reduction in the frontal surface area of around 10 cm with advantages in terms of aerodynamic penetration, traction and front tire wear. The continued development of Metiss technicians has also led to other updates for the new MS18: redesigned tank and radiator, possibility of running with Dunlop tires size 205 and, from the 24 Hours next April, Brembo double disc at the front instead of the usual single disc (for this type of motorcycle). A challenge which, for the Metiss, seems to be from another era, like “David against Goliath”: but after all, Endurance is also that….
