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posted October 16, 2006 05:46 AM
Rear suspension
In the above photo (thanks Black-zzr) you can see that there are both upper and lower links going from the frame to the massive rear wheel hub. That really makes me wonder... Think about the differences between how a normal swingarm works (lever with a single pivot point) and say, your car's front suspension (upper and lower mounts, making the wheel travel in a more linear vertical motion, vice an arc).
So it would appear that Kawi did this to address the torque reaction that shafties are famous for.
One additional benefit might be very linear handling characteristics regardless of what the rear suspension is doing. Ie; under hard accelleration a normal shaft drive would torque 'up',shortening the bike's wheelbase and alter the bike's handling (not a good thing mid-corner), vice this suspension maintaining the same wheelbase and handling.
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82 Gpz750, 84 Ninja 900, 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy Big Bore Kit), *another* 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy custom stroke crank 1341cc motor), 2004 ZZR1200, 2005 ZX10R, 2007 ZX14, 2008 Concours 14, 2014 Versys 650, 2014 Yamaha WR450F, 2015 Ninja H2
posted October 16, 2006 11:27 PM
If You look to an another angle You'll see that the lower arm in fact isin't an arm but just a casting that goes to the lower pivot point just under the back joint of the shaftdrive. In that picture it looks like it's going to the frame but the picture is lying. And when compared to other shaftdrive bikes the system is exactly like BMW:s telelever expect it is twosided. And that makes me wonder if that was a way to go over BMW:s patent because they have single sided swingarm... THe Moto Guzzi got over the patent by reversing the idea and Kawasaki has just made it two times!!
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posted October 16, 2006 05:46 AM
