Drive shaft

[odd]

Has anyone ever asked BRP why they don't put a driveshaft in instead of a belt drive? Seems that it would solve some problems.

 

[PaladinLV]

I don't have any problems!

AJ

Has anyone ever asked BRP why they don't put a driveshaft in instead of a belt drive? Seems that it would solve some problems.

 

[4 MARIE]

I have OTHER questions about spyders, but generally a shaft drive is heavier, more complicated to build
and will add more cost to an already maybe too expensive machine. and heavier requires more sophisticated damping, etc

 

[r1100rider]

Has anyone ever asked BRP why they don't put a driveshaft in instead of a belt drive? Seems that it would solve some problems.

I agree but this has been brought up before and now everyone will attract you even though most of the best touring bikes are shaft the cost argument is moot really if it was just on all machines the cost would be minor

 

[Chupaca]

For sure....

But I'm sure they have looked into it and have found reasons for not adding it to the spyders. You can hope...:thumbup:

 

[rtlister]

I'd love to have a shaft driven Spyder. My last two wheeler was shaft driven and was smooth as glass. Not putin down my Spyder...just saying

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Bob Denman]

 

[Aracknoid]

Drive Shafts

Drive shaft final drive are, for the most part bulletproof. I would not be opposed to looking into a shaft Can Am.

As long as we are talking about improvement and or changes, I would like to put out another request.

The Can Am suffers from a large amount of frame flex and no amount of sway bars or shock changes will get rid of it. I would like to see Can Am use the engine as part of a stressed member of the frame. I know ths is late in the game for the V Twins, but could be brought into the new models.

Good Luck

 

[robmorg]

But I'm sure they have looked into it and have found reasons for not adding it to the spyders. You can hope...:thumbup:

I would imagine that is correct. Still, if for no other reason than to satisfy curiosity, the question as to the choice of belt drive is an interesting one. My last three motorcycles were all shaft driven and seemed to work smoothly and flawlessly. I'm not having any problems with the belt either however, so maybe it's moot.

...or, maybe BRP is still hopeful in drawing out the Harley market. :doorag: :sour:

 

[Bob Denman]

It's a case of "choosing which poison you want to take..."
Chains need more adjustments and lubrication... they're messy!
Belts can set up harmonic vibrations, and are more prone to damage from crud that's on the road...
Driveshafts are heavier, more complex, and route the power in several directions: they might lose efficiency...
I'm pretty sure that BRP has looed at all three...

 

[Gray Ghost]

I love shaft drive, especially on touring bikes. But, unfortunately, it seems like the trend is toward belts. Even Yamaha has gone to belts on their cruiser lines.

 

[jcthorne]

I also think shaft drive would be a nice upgrade on the next gen RT. If they can keep the cost in line. BRP already uses shaft drive on their side by sides so its nothing new to them.

 

[Bob Denman]

But nobody has ANY idea as to what the cost of going to a driveshaft would be...
I've owned all types of ways to hook the crankshaft to the rear wheel... I just didn't care for chains... nojoke

If Steve, at BRPcare could chime in with some of the reasons behind the decisions made by the Product Development Team; it'd be pretty cool... :clap:

 

[pegasus1300]

"Drive shaft final drive are, for the most part bulletproof. I would not be opposed to looking into a shaft Can Am."

Driveshafts are mostly trouble free but they are not bulletproof or maintenance free. They need to be taken apart and the drive splines greased on a regular basis and final drive gear oil changed. They also use a lot of power with having to change delivery directions at least once and usually twice. They are heavy and require one side of the swing arm to house the shaft. There is also the jacking affect on the suspension that has to be compensated for. Obviously these things don't prevent the motorcycle manufacturers from successfully using shaft drive but they are not a panacea either. I have owned many shaft and chain drive motorcycles and now a belt drive. They all require something,though I do think the chains drives were the most maintenance intensive. In 24000+ miles the belt has been the least.

 

[Bob Denman]

Driveshafts are mostly trouble free but they are not bulletproof or maintenance free. They need to be taken apart and the drive splines greased on a regular basis and final drive gear oil changed. They also use a lot of power with having to change delivery directions at least once and usually twice. They are heavy and require one side of the swing arm to house the shaft. There is also the jacking affect on the suspension that has to be compensated for. Obviously these things don't prevent the motorcycle manufacturers from successfully using shaft drive but they are not a panacea either.[/COLOR]

A couple of grease fittings, will make most of the maintenance items much easier...
As for "jacking": Proper designing of the system, so that the output falls on the same plane as the swingarm pivot; makes this a non-issue. :thumbup:

 

[Navvet]

I'm another one that loves a drive shaft. If nothing else, just the ease of changing out the rear wheel on my Goldwing makes it totally worth any extra cost.:thumbup:

 

[pegasus1300]

A couple of grease fittings, will make most of the maintenance items much easier...
As for "jacking": Proper designing of the system, so that the output falls on the same plane as the swingarm pivot; makes this a non-issue. :thumbup:

Yamaha tried the Zerk fitting idea on the 83-85 Ventures and all it succeeded in doing was lubing the housing not the splines. In order to lube the wheel splines,the wheel must be removed. Not that big a deal but it is an item that seems to get neglected judging by the number of ones we replaced in our shop, also shaft splines worn out from lack of grease esp front splines. Ask BMW about the ongoing problem they have with failing final drives because of wrong oil or change intervals that went too long. These are all very costly repairs.
I'm not saying these things aren't addressable,of course they are and most of the current manufactures have, in way or another. Every solution creates new issues. The current system works well , is simple, and is relatively maintenance free. My point is, yes it has its issues, as does every type of drive system. Going to a driveshaft will eliminate those issues,but will create it's own new set of issues.

 

[Bob Denman]

As I said earlier:
"It's a case of 'choosing which poison you want to take...' "

 

[odd]

​THANKS TO ALL

 

[Bfromla]

This may help:chat:

we have seen BRP come out with better brakes & new 1330, so it is possible. Hope they learn from Ron & do something for the sway bar. Think asking for better tires is a mute point by now¿