Husky Plastic Subframe

[Spud]

Was lusting over the white bikes at a dealer near here, this seems quite trick to me (on their 2-stroke 250):

SubframeThe three-piece composite subframe, made of high strength polyamide with a precision injection moulded production process, has been designed to offer stiffness while flexing more than an aluminium subframe, complementing the flex characteristics of the frame in order to offer optimum rider feedback and feeling in all conditions. The lightweight design offers engineers unlimited opportunities in integrating features such as all the electronics and the airbox.

 

[Fred W]

I'm no structural engineer, but my experience with road bicycle frames in the past was that one made of aluminum alloy had negatives related to it's integral stiffness and inability to flex (even small amounts) without cracking.

Steel alloys (Cro-Moly etc.) performed far better in that regard, but at a big weight penalty.

The lightweight composites like fiberglass, carpet fiber, etc. are also very stiff, and extremely lightweight for a given strength, but crack even easier than aluminum with any sort of lateral shock. Some sort of plastic polymer, maybe without the stiff fiber reinforcement, may be a better answer to the light weight, with some flexibility, and less fatigue, material conundrum.

Someone with some real knowledge of these materials will undoubtedly chime in soon.

 

[08FJR4ME]

Plastics have come a long way and are changing rapidly for improved performances. A lot depends on the application. If that is made out of polycarbonate it will out last the frame.

 

[Bugnatr]

Looks like something KTM would build.

 

[900gc]

I'm no structural engineer, but my experience with road bicycle frames in the past was that one made of aluminum alloy had negatives related to it's integral stiffness and inability to flex (even small amounts) without cracking.
Steel alloys (Cro-Moly etc.) performed far better in that regard, but at a big weight penalty.

The lightweight composites like fiberglass, carpet fiber, etc. are also very stiff, and extremely lightweight for a given strength, but crack even easier than aluminum with any sort of lateral shock. Some sort of plastic polymer, maybe without the stiff fiber reinforcement, may be a better answer to the light weight, with some flexibility, and less fatigue, material conundrum.

Someone with some real knowledge of these materials will undoubtedly chime in soon.

My older son is in Polymer Engineering At UMass Lowell but he's just finishing his freshman year so he don't know squat yet, I'll ask him when he finishes his Masters in 5-6 years.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how this holds up and how well it takes to crash damage. If I'm correct, the 701's have the gas tank built into all this too.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Plastics have come a long way and are changing rapidly for improved performances. A lot depends on the application. If that is made out of polycarbonate it will out last the frame.

I'm so damn old I remember when anything made out of plastic was just cheap crap, period. Of course, in those years, the same was pretty generally true of anything marked "Made in Japan."

Times change, huh?

 

[gixxerjasen]

I bet you can stack more than 11 pounds on the back of it too.

 

[08FJR4ME]

I'm no structural engineer, but my experience with road bicycle frames in the past was that one made of aluminum alloy had negatives related to it's integral stiffness and inability to flex (even small amounts) without cracking.
Steel alloys (Cro-Moly etc.) performed far better in that regard, but at a big weight penalty.

The lightweight composites like fiberglass, carpet fiber, etc. are also very stiff, and extremely lightweight for a given strength, but crack even easier than aluminum with any sort of lateral shock. Some sort of plastic polymer, maybe without the stiff fiber reinforcement, may be a better answer to the light weight, with some flexibility, and less fatigue, material conundrum.

Someone with some real knowledge of these materials will undoubtedly chime in soon.

My older son is in Polymer Engineering At UMass Lowell but he's just finishing his freshman year so he don't know squat yet, I'll ask him when he finishes his Masters in 5-6 years.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how this holds up and how well it takes to crash damage. If I'm correct, the 701's have the gas tank built into all this too.

Yes you are correct, the gas tank is in the plastic tail section on the 701. I drive by the Husky dealer everyday on the way to work. The temptation is killing me.

Dave

 

[gixxerjasen]

I'm trying really hard to not read anything on the 701 Supermoto.

 

[Fred W]

Just looking at those seats is enough to dissuade me from wanting a Husky. They hurt my candy butt just lookin' at them.

 

[PhilJet09]

Jeez Fed! You just had to post an actual picture, didn't you? Until now I was content not really knowing what a 701 was. Now I want one. Thanks a lot.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Anyway, it's not your butt that would get sore, Fred. It's your thighs. 'Cuz you'd be hovering over that seat like a racehorse jockey just so you wouldn't have to try to sit down.

 

[gixxerjasen]

You don't want a wide seat when your *** cheeks are trying to hold on for dear life!

 

[fjrchooser]

Was lusting over the white bikes at a dealer near here, this seems quite trick to me (on their 2-stroke 250):

SubframeThe three-piece composite subframe, made of high strength polyamide with a precision injection moulded production process, has been designed to offer stiffness while flexing more than an aluminium subframe, complementing the flex characteristics of the frame in order to offer optimum rider feedback and feeling in all conditions. The lightweight design offers engineers unlimited opportunities in integrating features such as all the electronics and the airbox.

That kind of thing is all well and good when brand new. Looking 10 years down the road after constant exposure to UV light, exhaust heat, cleaning and lubrication chemicals together with the impact stresses of actual day to day operation and this may not be the bike you want to be the second or third owner of.

 

[Dashbaw]

What about global warming??? If you keep buying plastic products, Arizona will be a frying pan in the summer. In Canuckistan, there will be less snow and the winters will be warmer. On the west coast we would likely be able to ride all year

wait a minute?

Nice looking bike!

 

[08FJR4ME]

Just looking at those seats is enough to dissuade me from wanting a Husky. They hurt my candy butt just lookin' at them.

Nothing RDL can't handle I am sure. Might look awefly fugly though.

Dave

 

[Niehart]

I hope the plastic gas tank is better than the one on my Duc S4RS. It really didn't like the corn gas but Ducati did replace it.