Blood Biker winter riding guide: top tips from the experts. It is sadly time to accept that "proper" winter is finally here and with it comes a barrage of fresh How should a motorbike helmet fit?
Modern motorbike helmet fitment is the result of years of development, crash testing, computer How to get your motorbike licence. How to ride a motorcycle. These traits make it popular on touring bikes, as well as some cruisers. Because power has to travel through so many moving parts to get to your back wheel, 31 percent of that power gets lost on the way. That means that on my Honda PC , only 38 of its 55 horsepower actually got to the road.
On top of that, shaft drive adds a great deal of unsprung weight, which hurts handling. No wonder that bike felt slow. The other major disadvantage of shaft drive is torque rise. The force of the driveshaft turning the back wheel causes the rear of the bike to lift under hard acceleration, rather than hunker down as you'd expect.
This prevents you from taking advantage of the improved rear traction that rearward weight transfer provides. If you're touring the country on a Gold Wing you probably don't care, but this is a huge disadvantage for a sportbike. The definitive answer is "it depends. I ride dirt, which is bad for a belt, and I don't want a big shaft drive adding to its already significant weight.
Yet I loved my PC's shaft drive for its low maintenance. A belt was the best choice for the Suzuki Savage I had, both for its low maintenance as well as its ability to transfer more of its limited power to the back wheel than a shaft. So the true answer is that it depends on the type of riding you'll be doing and the specific motorcycle you plan to do it on. Belts and shafts are both great for comfortable touring, but if you want a cruiser, you'll probably end up with a belt, where a sport-tourer would most likely have a shaft.
For performance, either on-road or off-road, a chain is your best bet despite the extra maintenance required. Replacements to worn parts are also expensive. Shaft drive motorcycles are more expensive to purchase initially but have lower maintenance costs and running costs. I have owned chain and shaft drive motorcycles. This article is not supposed to inform the reader that one is better than the other, but to be of guidance to anyone considering purchasing a bike who wants to gain further knowledge of each of the drive systems available on a bike today.
The advantages and disadvantages of both chain drive and shaft drive motorcycles make for a difficult choice when deciding which type of bike to purchase. The well-known type of final drive that the majority of motorcycles have is a chain drive.
The chain, front and rear sprockets connect the engine to the rear wheel, which drives the rear wheel forward. The linkages of the chain connect the two sprockets front and rear so that when the sprocket which is connected to the engine turns, it moves the energy produced to the rear sprocket via the chain, which drives the motorcycle forward.
The chain consists of a group of inter-connected bearings that link together with inner and outer plates. These plates need frequent lubricating to allow the chain to turn smoothly. Modern chains are sealed chains that are constantly lubricated and protected. This happens most often due to neglecting the upkeep of the chain. For more information about motorcycle chains, I have written an article about them, which you can read by clicking HERE.
It is always wise to carry out a regular visual inspection of the chain and rear sprocket on the motorcycle. If the shape has more of a shark tooth appearance, then it is time to replace the chain and sprockets. A Photo Guide.
This article has photographs of each stage of the process. You can view the article by clicking HERE.
Many modern performance sports bikes that we know and love today are chain-driven motorcycles, with one of the most notorious being the Honda Fireblade. The chain and sprocket set-up on a motorcycle is a lighter alternative to the shaft drive setup, and many dirt bikes are chain-driven due to the chain and sprockets being lightweight, making them ideal for the dirt bike build. There are heavier motorcycles that are chain-driven, but most chain drive motorcycles are lightweight, making them easier to handle and maneuver.
Being lightweight also makes them more fuel-efficient and more straightforward to service. However, chain drive bikes require more attention and regular care, such as lubricating the chain regularly, cleaning the chain and sprockets, and re-tensioning the chain. I enjoy carrying out this kind of maintenance regularly as it gives me a chance to inspect the bike over.
In comparison to shaft drive bikes, chain drive motorcycles wear out faster. Chains are more exposed and susceptible to stretching or breaking, especially in harsher conditions. It has been known for chains to dislodge or come loose when put under the type of strain or abuse that can come with outdoor riding under challenging conditions, but with good maintenance, this should never be a situation you should come across.
In my 20 or so years of riding motorcycles, this has never happened to me. Some riders claim that chain drive motorcycles are more adaptable and versatile because they adjust and alter the chain and sprockets according to their preferences.
This can enhance the final drive and overall performance of the bike.
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