BRAP · For riders
BRAP Pitstop
Motorcycle news, garage tips, interesting facts and in-depth articles for riders.
Fresh from Pitstop
Chain slack that keeps changing points to wear
Rotate the wheel and watch how the chain slack changes. If it varies significantly from one position to the next, it can indicate uneven wear.
Sportbike wings: downforce has a price
Aerodynamic wings on sportbikes generate downforce, but they also increase drag. There is no free grip.
Endurance at night: lit-up numbers and headlights
Part of a 24-hour endurance race is run in complete darkness, so the headlights on these bikes are no decoration. The race numbers are illuminated too, so riders can be told apart at night.
Gold Wing: fuel tank under the seat, not where you expect
The first Gold Wing had its fuel tank under the seat. Where the tank usually sits, you'd find electrical and other components.
Why a racing sidecar passenger is called the "monkey"
A racing sidecar passenger is sometimes called the "monkey". The reason is simple: they are constantly moving around the machine.
Fork oil damps motion, it's not just lube
Fork oil is primarily there to damp suspension movement, not simply to provide lubrication. It's what controls how the suspension compresses and returns.
What the TT in Isle of Man TT Actually Means
The "TT" in Isle of Man TT stands for Tourist Trophy.
Track traction control: tuned to tires and surface
On track, riders can adjust traction-control levels to suit specific tires and track conditions. It's not one setting for everything, but electronics matched to what's under the wheels right now.
Robbie Maddison: a 98-metre jump and more
In 2008, Robbie Maddison completed a motorcycle jump of more than 98 meters. And that is not the only stunt of his that goes beyond the ordinary.
Side cases: more than just extra width
Side cases add more than width to a motorcycle. They also increase aerodynamic drag and make the bike more sensitive to crosswinds.
To Turn Right, Push Right
To quickly turn right, a rider briefly pushes forward on the right handlebar. That is countersteering.
Three tuning forks on the Yamaha logo
Yamaha's logo features three tuning forks. It's a direct reference to the company's musical roots: Yamaha was making musical instruments long before it started building motorcycles.
Ducati Monster: where the name comes from
The idea behind the Ducati Monster was simple: take sportbike components and strip away the unnecessary bodywork. No frills, just the essentials.
The more upright the bike, the more throttle you can use
A tire has a limited amount of grip, and it has to be shared between cornering and acceleration or braking. Deep in the corner, most of it goes to holding your line, so little is left for the throttle.
Gold Wing: the airbag came before anyone else's
The Honda Gold Wing became the first mass-produced motorcycle to offer a production airbag. No other mass-market bike had one before it.
Honda CX500 Turbo: boost and injection back in 1982
The 1982 Honda CX500 Turbo was one of the earliest production motorcycles to combine turbocharging with electronic fuel injection.
A passenger changes more than weight: the balance shifts too
A passenger changes not only the total weight but also how the load is distributed between the front and rear wheels. The bike no longer behaves the way it does with a solo rider.
Where Gasoline Vapors Go When the Bike Is Parked
Gasoline evaporates even when a motorcycle is just sitting in the garage. An EVAP system prevents these vapors from simply escaping from the fuel tank into the atmosphere.
Why car engine oil isn't always right for a motorcycle
On many motorcycles, the same oil lubricates the engine, gearbox, and wet clutch. It's not just engine lube.
Trials bikes: a tiny tank and just 70 kg
A trials motorcycle's fuel tank often holds only a few liters. That is enough for the discipline: what counts here is not distance but clean runs over obstacles.