WTF is with the single sided swingarm?

[macem29]

While I'm not an engineer, I understand that a rotating, load bearing device
is best supported at both ends. Why the single sided swingarms on some
bikes? Ducatis, VFR's etc? Weight reduction? Balance? Can't honestly see a
single advantage, but several disadvantages (increased bearing load, lack of
ridgidity etc).

 

[knightrider]

I think it's lame too. I guess so you can show off your rims better on one side?

Would never get one myself.

 

[gpd211]

I think it's lame too. I guess so you can show off your rims better on one side?

Would never get one myself.

lol yeah honda and ducati don't have a clue how to build bikes (since neither company has been around very long)

having owned 2 different vfr s i can tell you the sssa is just as rigid at the small double on the fz. oh and did i mention loosen one pinch bolt and use the spanner wrench to adjust the chain and tighten the pinch bolt back up. MUCH simpler than the fz

 

[macem29]

ok, good input, thanks....figured there had to be some reasoning for it...
chain maintenance is easier, I suppose tire maintenance would also be a lot
easier...so on a GP bike, with the possibility to change tires in a minute or two,
think I'm starting to get it now...

 

[nextfriday]

I'm sure there was a lot of r and d behind it. I like their ingenuity and style. Besides, single sided swingarms come with a higher pricetag. They yell bling.

 

[bcityroller]

Single-sided swingarm - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[FZ1inNH]

You have two on the front of every cage you drive, why not the bike? Some cages have them at all four corners!

 

[sjryser]

most everything makes it way from the track to the street

 

[Wavex]

It looks sick too

 

[joshfz6.2008]

if things go right my next bike will have the single swingarm, Triump Sprint ST. but i'm keeping the fz6 too

 

[YamahaMAXdRPMs]

lol yeah honda and ducati don't have a clue how to build bikes (since neither company has been around very long)

having owned 2 different vfr s i can tell you the sssa is just as rigid at the small double on the fz. oh and did i mention loosen one pinch bolt and use the spanner wrench to adjust the chain and tighten the pinch bolt back up. MUCH simpler than the fz

Only since the 1940's... but c'mon... how much can you REALLY learn in 69 years?

 

[YamahaMAXdRPMs]

yeah... that single sided swingarm really takes alot of the beauty away... :Flip:... tell me thats not an amazing bike and ill scissor kick you

 

[Fred]

The single sided swingarm looks cool, and makes tire changes easier.

But I have the feeling that a single sided swingarm is going to weigh more than a normal swingarm, since it has to resist a twisting force.

I have no proof of this, since the only bikes with single sided swingarms I have worked on have also had shaft drive. This makes them heavier and wouldn't allow for a fair comparison.

In conclusion, I think that it's just a looks and ease of tire change thing.

Fred

 

[bcityroller]

The single sided swingarm looks cool, and makes tire changes easier.

But I have the feeling that a single sided swingarm is going to weigh more than a normal swingarm, since it has to resist a twisting force.

I have no proof of this, since the only bikes with single sided swingarms I have worked on have also had shaft drive. This makes them heavier and wouldn't allow for a fair comparison.

In conclusion, I think that it's just a looks and ease of tire change thing.

Fred

I agree that in theory it would be slightly heavier but in practice I bet it's not actually b/c the dual swingarms also seem to be shaped for looks more so than required loading and end being "overdesigned" - on both sides.

 

[urbanj]

This is just speculation and they probably have test data that proves their designs.

to me when the bike is traveling straight it doesn't need the lateral support. and when its turning the lateral forces, when to the swing arm side, would be taken up by the beefier arm and its bracing where it connects to the other side of the swing arm mount. and when the forces go to the other side the way they are designed it looks like the mounting points act as a gusset to the main arm.

thats the way i see them making it to use the least materials and keep it light. Or they can just over build it and it will take. also maybe the way the drive is on the one side as its pulling forward the the rear sprocket the way it transfers the power through one side may have an effect on design as well.

Just a guess

EDIT. looking at pics of the 1098 it seems the bring the casting of the front of the swing arm as close as they can to the rear tire. Just to add to my gusseting theory.

 

[littlelamb]

Isn't it easier to take off the wheel on sssa, especially if it is shaft drive? bikes are designed by engineers, and they know what they are doing.

 

[littlelamb]

Isn't it easier to take off the wheel from sssa, especially if it is shaft drive? Bikes are designed by engineer and they know what they are doing!

 

[Andz]

Then you get the guys that want the single sided arm but don't want the Ducati that comes with it...

It says sportbikez.net in the corner of the pic but I took it

 

[gpd211]

Isn't it easier to take off the wheel from sssa, especially if it is shaft drive? Bikes are designed by engineer and they know what they are doing!

much easier :thumbup: on my vfr I take off 4 nuts and the wheel comes off. brakes rotor and drive sprocket stay on the bike only the tire and rim come off

 

[jtarkany]

yeah... that single sided swingarm really takes alot of the beauty away... :Flip:... tell me thats not an amazing bike and ill scissor kick you

...:drool:...