TECHNICAL FEATURES ARCHIVE

MCN Tech Watch Archive

With the kind permission of Motor Cycle News, I’m now archiving my weekly MCN Tech Watch technical features here.

Big Piston Forks

Ninja600_05

By Kevin Ash


Pictures: Kawasaki

BMW S1000RR valves

BMW_S1000RR_03By Kevin Ash


Pictures: BMW Press

Brakes: What's stopping you?

Multistrada

By Kevin Ash


Pictures: Milagro, Double Red, press various

The Cross-plane Crank

Crossplane_03

By Kevin Ash


Pictures: Yamaha Press

Ducati 1198 Technical

Duc11_Po_22

Ducati Traction Control - DTC


By Kevin Ash

Multistrada Testastretta 11 Degrees

Ducati_Multistrada_S_004

Ducati calls the engine fitted to the 2010 Multistrada the Testastretta 11 Degrees. What does that mean?

Honda C-ABS

Honda_C-ABS_03

By Kevin Ash


Pictures: Honda Press, Ian Kerr
Click on images for full size

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Suzuki_H2_Burgman_09

There are two basic types of electric vehicle, those powered by batteries and those which use fuel cells.

Inertial torque

Crossplane_03

By Kevin Ash


Pictures: Yamaha Press, Cyborg, Caterham

Metzeler Sportec M5 Interact technical

Metzeler_Sportec M5_21

The key to Metzeler’s Interact technology lies in the 120 or so steel chords which run around the tyre’s carcass.

Moto Guzzi Concept Heat Pipes

Guzzi_concept_04.jpg

The cool-looking finned heat sinks on either side of the Guzzi concept bikes' headstocks are there for more than just the style: they use what's known as heat pipe technology to take excess heat away from the motor, improving emissions and allowing a higher power output.

Moto Guzzi Concept Inconel Exhaust

Guzzi_concept_07.jpg

Another innovation on the Guzzi concept bikes is the use of space age material Inconel for the exhaust pipes.

Running In

Running_in_20

By Kevin Ash


Pictures: Castrol, press various

Speed Camera Calculation

barkertix1

By Kevin Ash


Pictures: Sussex Police, copyright free

Suzuki GSX-R1000 technical

Suzuki_GSXR-1000_K9_tech_07

By Kevin Ash


Pictures: Suzuki Press

The most recent technical features are listed below, or for a full list of the rest, click on TECHNICAL FEATURES ARCHIVE