Regarding drive shafts on high performance bikes: The main reason they are not used on sport bikes is something called shaft effect. Essentially when power is applied the drive shaft wants to lift the rear of the motorcycle stiffening the rear suspension. The result of shaft effect is vague handling which probably wouldn't be noticeable on the street but would become an issue on the racetrack.
Scott
I can't deny that shaft effect is there, it has a shaft and it has an effect. But I'll tell you its not an issue on modern bikes. THe technology of the suspensions and the shafts themselves has improved to the point where, had you never ridden a shaft drive high performance bike, and got on one after a chain drive bike, only the high end experts would know the difference.
I do rememeber riding a friends late 60s BMW in the early 70s and I know of what you speak. But that was a long time ago.
BMW makes some hellaciously fast and powerful shaft drive sports bikes.
And back years ago, Reg Pridmore was very sucessful roadracing BMWs.
They are slightly heavier, and you can't change the ratio. That's about all.
You did qualify it by saying not noticeable on the street but an issue on the track. That argument can be made, still I'd say if someone wanted to race a modern shaftie, it wouldn't be an issue.
I'm just trying to dispel the notion here that some may have that a driveshaft is a automatic handicap. By today's standards its not. Its different, true, but not a handicap.
Today's modern GoldWing would stomp on most of what we consider sporty, like a hot CB750. Its a handful, but they have amazing performance.
