HUB–CENTRE STEER DESIGN
Over the past century, many other suspension and steering systems have been proposed and developed but Hub-Centre Steering (HCS) appears to offer the best alternative to telescopic, girder fork and stanchion steered front-end systems.Compared to conventional steering and suspension designs, a HCS system is a fundamentally more stable front end platform as it offers several advantages over conventional front end suspension systems in that it allows the steering, braking and suspension functions to be separated and dealt with independently – while keeping front wheel geometry stable.Typically, HCS is a type of front end suspension and steering mechanism characterised by some form of swing-arm that extends from the bottom of the engine or frame to the centre of the front wheel. With an HCS system, the braking and bump forces can be redirected horizontally along the suspension arms away from the normal vertical suspension forces in a quick and direct path to the centre of gravity of the machine, instead of having to travel up through the headstock and then back down to the COG of the motorcycle.Past HCS designs have overcome several flaws of previous alternate and telescopic systems, yet each of them has introduced their own set of distinctive problems and challenges.The relative complexities of previous HCS systems have created their own issues. The higher the number of joints and linkages in a system the greater the potential for free play which can lead to slack, vague, or even inconsistent steering movement across its range.While reducing steering kingpin loads by placing them in the centre of the steering hub, previous HCS systems have not been able to eliminate all front-end kingpin oscillation harmonics that are detrimental to the stability of the front end. Many previous designs have also been criticised for having poor corner lean clearance issues, limited lock to lock steering and a very heavy feel in cornering. Some have even been likened to having the feel of power steering common in an automobile.Unique to the MotoInno TS³ technology, the suspension arms form an adjustable offset parallelogram which, together with its highly stable triangulated steering mechanism and virtual kingpin, stabilises the front wheel – from the ground contact patch (‘the tyre braking point’) to the top of the wheel (an added secure and stable point along the steering axis) – and ensures that the Motoinno TS³ maintains constant and stable steering geometry over the full range of its suspension travel and tuning capabilities.
This, in turn, leads to consistency in the motorcycle’s handling characteristics under bump, braking, cornering and acceleration to create a safer and more compliant motorcycle without any corner lean, limited lock to lock steering issues or destructive front end oscillation harmonic forces.
The constant front-end geometry of the TS³ technology, means it has optimum stability while maintaining a superior level of feel, even when braking hard on the angle.
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