Reading the patents filed by the various manufacturers involved in MotoGP is always instructive, but this time Yamaha's technical invention for finding rear grip will unfortunately not apply to the M1…
Flashback.
Since late 2018, Ducati has introduced a whole series of systems in MotoGP, designed to limit wheelies and increase grip during acceleration.
It started with the holeshot device tried by Jack Miller then quickly led to the ride height devicesbackward then forward.
From 2023, the ride height devices were banned at the front, only the following remain today holeshot devices for the departure.
ride height devices rear-wheel drive systems continued to be developed until 2026 (Ducati is using a new system this year) but will be banned in 2027.
That is why, upon seeing this patent filed by Michiharu Hasegawa (an employee of Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha), intended to provide rear grip, we initially thought it was a kind of stopgap measure for the future MotoGP regulations…
Description:
"A motorcycle (1) comprises a frame (2), a pivot shaft (P) and a swingarm (9). The pivot shaft (P) is supported by the frame (2). The swingarm (9) is connected to the frame (2) via the pivot shaft (P). The swingarm (9) pivots about the pivot shaft (P) relative to the frame (2). The swingarm (9) supports a rear wheel (11) via a rear wheel axle (R)."
The rear arm (9) comprises at least a first arm (9A), a rotating shaft (M), and a second arm (9B). The first arm (9A) is connected to the frame (2). The first arm (9A) pivots about the pivot shaft (P) relative to the frame (2). The rotating shaft (M) is located at the rear end of the first arm (9A). The second arm (9B) is connected to the first arm (9A) via the rotating shaft (M). The second arm (9B) pivots about the rotating shaft (M) relative to the first arm (9A). The second arm (9B) supports the rear wheel (11) via the rear wheel axle (R).
In summary, a double swing arm articulated on two axes, the inclination of which is then discovered to be managed by an electronically controlled actuator.
Ouch!
The possibility of this happening in MotoGP is seemingly over, as all electronic controls related to the suspension are prohibited!
It's a shame because after 45 pages of complicated formulas, abstruse graphs and tables of the same ilk, including those on the consequences of the chain effect, which inevitably bring to mind the work of...Eric OffenstadtThe promises are enticing…
"[0047] The rear wheel's grip force can be adjusted when accelerating the motorcycle.
[0051] The rear wheel's grip force can be adjusted when the motorcycle is decelerating.
[0053] The rear wheel's grip force can be adjusted when turning the motorcycle.
[0057] The rear wheel's grip force can be adjusted when the control unit is operated by the driver.
So, definitely not for the M1, but for the R1, why not?
Yamaha technology Yamaha technology
