more info/video/line drawings on the new Triumph Adventure

[John Stenhouse]

So why if chains are so good did they do away with them for cars?

[tett]

So why if chains are so good did they do away with them for cars?

You still need to run a differential with a two wheel drive system and here it is easier with a shaft drive.

With Bikes, chains are lighter and the most efficient getting the torque to the rear wheel.  Just a bit more maintenance and dirty.

I love the chain drive on my Tiger and the shaft drive on my Valkyrie.  Each has its place.

Cheers John!

tett

[Nimrod11]

Getting off topic here... but what about belt drives? Very light, maintenance free on the road and not expensive to change. Always thought it was a sensible option.

[Colonel Nikolai]

Getting off topic here... but what about belt drives? Very light, maintenance free on the road and not expensive to change. Always thought it was a sensible option.

Totally agree. They are even lighter than chains. And they last longer in ideal conditions. Where they don't do as well is with bad terrain where rocks can get in between the belt and the pulley. I have a friend who had a rock cut a hole through the middle of the belt on their Buell Ulysses when going off tarmac. It held long enough to get it to the dealer to replace it, though.

[Colonel Nikolai]

I love the chain drive on my Tiger and the shaft drive on my Valkyrie.  Each has its place.

Totally agree. Wish my Sprint had a shaft sometimes.

[John Stenhouse]

Getting off topic here... but what about belt drives? Very light, maintenance free on the road and not expensive to change. Always thought it was a sensible option.

I'd go with that!

[Bixxer Bob]

I'll bet the two Be eM owners had 1200s, BMW have had shaft drive from the start, the problems seem to be mostly on the new stuff.

Spot on....

[Chris Canning]

It's not shaft drive per se,although BM do have and have had heaps of problems with both the K range and the GS1200,but it's when they start to get on in age and mileage,their not cheap or easy to fix,were as with ours it's new chain and sprockets and it's back new.

Plus as any folks on here who have owned a BM know they are different to ride with a shaft,because you don't have the slack in the drive chain it requires a totally different technique(he says owning two  :roll: )

[CoolHandLuke]

don't know why they didn't just keep refining the steamer  :icon_scratch

I always thought The Steamer is a great bike with one big flaw. The flaw was so big you just accepted it considering everything else that seems "good enough".

It's really top-heavy.

Just the one!?  :shock:

How about the sprocket cover being part of the engine casing.
Having to remove all the fairings and the carbs to change the air filter.
Oh, having to change the air filter box rather than just the air filter :)
A spine that blocks easy access to the centre plug.
A fuse box in the most inaccessible place ever.
And a digital clock  :D

[Colonel Nikolai]

Just the one!?  :shock:

How about the sprocket cover being part of the engine casing.
Having to remove all the fairings and the carbs to change the air filter.
Oh, having to change the air filter box rather than just the air filter :)
A spine that blocks easy access to the centre plug.
A fuse box in the most inaccessible place ever.
And a digital clock  :D

Those, imho, are minor.

I've already fixed the digital clock problem. I converted the slot that holds the 2" clock with a 2" volt gague for the battery. I took the live 12v to the handlebars for an aux power socket (pictures somewhere around this forum). Cost me $20.

As far as the airbox is concerned, there are worse airbox configs out there  :shock: Some have even been discussed here. I've done two now myself and have refurbished one on my own. It's not that bad.

The spine blocking access to #2 plug I fixed with a $17 dealer part. Now I hardly notice it.

The fuse box is easy to move (haven't done it: I have these weird rubber hands that actually fit in there to change the fuses, believe it or not!)

The sprocket cover, well, that's probably the worst. I bought a trophy sprocket cover for $29 on ebay I plan to split the next sprocket set I do. Tips on how to deal with that are here, too. Not too expensive!

There's no way to fix top heavy, though. I just accept it. Does make the bike more stable at high speeds (but less responsive).