Why don't motorcycle manufacturers put CT's on bikes?
It is Interesting that so many have asked this question. Not sure that I've read EVERY post on this thread, but I'm reasonably certain nobody's attempted to answer this question. I don't pretend to KNOW the answer, but I think I might be able to come pretty close. First of all, l'm thinking about just what a manufacturer must do to market and sell equipment.
Three important factors
Motorcycles are, and always have been, all about performance. Anything that produces better performance must be balanced against at least three things: cost, weight, and safety. There may well be other factors. If that be true, then the car tire is a problem in all three areas. First, it costs more. Now I'm guessing here, as my Exalto cost ME more than many motorcycle tires would cost. But I'm guessing that at a manufacturer's price point, they're cheaper. After all, a CT weighs something like 10 lbs more than a MC tire. That weight is made of expensive materials. Seems to me that the MT would be cheaper for a manufacturer to put on. I'm thinking that the rear suspension would need to be upgraded to efficiently handle the added unsprung weight. And speaking of weight, which is the second factor, more weight equals less performance. My seat of the pants comparison (is anybody EVER going to test a CT equipped FJR on a dyno?) tells me that the bike loses perhaps 5 hp from installing the CT. I could feel the difference when I first made the switch, and though it was very slight, others have confirmed this on this forum. To me, this is insignificant. But to a manufacturer, this weight is seriously bad news, not only does it affect acceleration, but it's got to have an effect on suspension compliance. For me, i't a non issue, but for the manufacturer of a sport/touring bike this HAS to matter. They KNOW that people can and will refuse to buy a machine that doesn't make as much power as the competition, even if it's just a small amount. And when it comes to just how much effect a heavy tire has on suspension compliance, I'm no expert. But it would seem that this would be a huge factor. MT tires are made to be as light as possible for a reason. For me, riding a large, heavy motorcycle around relatively smooth corners at reasonable speeds negates this issue. But for a manufacturer, building thousands of bikes that must travel a zillion miles on every type of road without issue matters. It matters financially as well as legally. What if a fella ran over a 2 inch ridge with one side of a CT and it caused the bike to lurch to one side? I know my CT will do this. Can you spell L-A-W-S-U-I-T? Again, for me, it's a non issue, but for a manufacturer...
Which leads me to say, safety is an issue as well. Motorcycle manufacturers have certainly considered darksiding their equipment. They have considered things we can't even imagine and more. They conduct extensive and expensive studies to determine what the buying public thinks they want. And as I've posted on this forum myself, most people THINK that CT's are dangerous on a motorcycle; even people who know little or nothing about motorcycles. It would take nothing for a manufacturer to mount up a CT on a bike and machine test it under extreme conditions. I wonder if they already have. We already know how much punishment a good quality car tire can take. I'd be willing to bet it's happened, somewhere a dark corner of a factory where prying eyes can't see. But putting a CT on a motorcycle, because of public perception, would seem to be marketing suicide. The media would have a field day. Could irresponsible, immature riders get into trouble with a CT? Might these same people smell money through litigation in the event of a tip over? You bet. Do manufacturers know this? Duhhhh... The public, no doubt, would ridicule any such attempt, just as they do most of us on this thread. And from a manufacturing standpoint, whether or not a CT on an FJR is dangerous is not the question. How it would be perceived by the public, however, IS.
Give the public what they think they want
It just makes sense that a manufacturer, in order to stay in business, must shave every possible ounce, cut every possible dollar, give their product every possible horsepower, and avoid every possible decision that could cause a disbelieving public to criticize their marketing and design choices. Why don't manufacturers put CT's on motorcycles? There are a lot more things to consider than just the actual safety involved. As I posted before, it is my opinion that a CT is SAFER than a MT in some ways. But I'm thinking that the perceived safety is much more of a factor for any manufacturer. That being said, the FACT that a motorcycle manufacturer chooses not to put a CT on a bike is of no consequence to me. Feel free to correct me if you disagree, or if your research or common sense might prove otherwise.
Just a couple thoughts...
Gary
darksider #44