A BRITISH company has
come up with a revolutionary motorcycle racing saddle design that they
believe could help riders stay on their machine in the event of a
highside.
Brit Brothers, the company behind the new idea, has developed a saddle
which allows the rider to roll their backside across the seat from
side-to-side, through the use of toothed belts and tapered rollers.
From Brit Brothers:
For almost a century the motorcycle seat has seen little advance in
either its design or function. And yet the modern rider experiences
more movement across this area of the bike than any other. The result is
a compromise, where each rider must learn to overcome its shortfalls by
sacrificing aerodynamics and energy. To address this issue, the Brit
Brothers have developed the 'Chicane Saddle' - A motorcycle racing seat
designed to harmonize rider with machine. The innovative design
incorporates toothed belts and tapered rollers which rotate under the
riders weight. Combine this with inbuilt recoil and friction controls
and you have a racing seat which can be individually tuned to the riders
needs. The result allows the rider to achieve a smooth, arc-like, motion
through corners and chicanes.
Aerodynamics:
When cornering on a fixed seat bike the rider is forced to rise up, and
out of the aerodynamic bubble. This can slow down and unbalance the
bike. Although modern riders train themselves to overcome this
shortfall, it is, nonetheless, a shortfall. Our intention with the
Chicane saddle is to allow the rider to remain in contact with the seat
for longer periods, remaining inside the bikes aerodynamic bubble.
Rider Energy:
During the course of a race the rider uses valuable energy to shift
their body weight through corners. Consequently the rider becomes
increasingly tired and fatigued. By employing recoil and specifically
placed rollers, the Chicane Saddle aids the transfer of body weight
through corners by up to 20%. This leaves the rider stronger and
prolongs endurance.
The High-Side:
A "High-Side is when the bikes rear wheel regains traction after
spinning. The result can catapult the rider off of the bike. Because the
Chicane Saddle allows longitudinal movement across the saddles surface
it absorbs some of the aggressive sideways motion which occurs during a
High-Side. We believe this might be the difference between the rider
being able to catch the bike, or not.
So, what's the verdict? Sound
useful or just another way to spend an unnecessary wedge of cash?
