Even though the rapid sinking of the fork during braking refers to sudden and abrupt braking typical of circuit driving, on the road it may also have been necessary to make an emergency stop with the consequent rapid sinking of the fork and relief of the rear. A similar circumstance occurs when, in the case of strong acceleration, the rear suspension tends to flatten, with the consequent relief of the front end and the relative intervention of the anti-lock system, which effectively cuts power to prevent “wheelies” that limit acceleration. In summary, this eternal problem mainly involves the world of racing, but also that of common mortals.
With this in mind, Yamaha has filed a new patent that should be of great help to ensure more effective and safe road driving and more profitable and high-performance track driving. With the advent of electronic suspension management and the experience gained in MotoGP, the technology may initially be used in Yamaha R1, MT-09, and R6. Apparently, both aspects will be managed by the system, which should be able to intelligently distribute braking between the front and rear, while also managing hydraulic brakes and suspension spring preload.
In fact, it is an evolution of the electronic suspension system that, in this case, also involves brake management and makes the system even smarter and more advanced. We do not know when the system will be operational on bikes with “license plates and headlights,” but the fact that a patent has been filed for a system that is likely being used in MotoGP bikes suggests real-world use in a not too distant timeframe.
