Shafties can't wheelie

**Tank** · 1st December 2007, 18:24

I was reading a thread in in Rant and Rave and there was a comment from someone that shafties cannot wheelie.

I have a M50 which is shaft driven. Wheelies dont matter to me in the slightest, but the comment got me thinking.

What are the advantages disadvantages of the 3 main drive types (shaft, belt, chain)?

The only thing I know is that Shaft is low maintenance and keeps the bike clean.

Thanks

**banditrider** · 1st December 2007, 18:32

They can too!

**manwithav8** · 1st December 2007, 18:43

Originally Posted by banditrider

They can too!

trust you!!

**kiwifruit** · 1st December 2007, 18:44

of course they can

**onearmedbandit** · 1st December 2007, 20:24

Shaft driven bikes are supposed to be smoother, of course their trade-off is weight, transmission losses, and lack of gear adjustability. Hence why you see them on cruisers, and not sportsbikes. They are of course longer lasting then your average chain. Chain drives of course offer one of the least amount of losses in the drivetrain, but need to be maintained and changed regularly, however it is very easy to change gear ratios. Also they are very light and simple, hence their appeal on cheap bikes and sportsbikes. As for belt drives, couldn't be too sure myself. But of course gear ratio changes are not easy.

**nudemetalz** · 1st December 2007, 20:45

I've,....ummm....errr.....had the Guzzi on the back wheel but please don't tell Mrs Nudie....

**NZsarge** · 1st December 2007, 20:47

Originally Posted by banditrider

They can too!

Funny, when I read the headline to this post I thought of this very picture.

**bmz2** · 1st December 2007, 21:01

don't try this at home

m109r doing a wheelie

and shafties can't wheelie

**MaxB** · 1st December 2007, 21:10

Belt drives, which are common in industry, have the advantages of quieter running, light weight, no lubrication requirements, fewer adjustments (depending on design) and reduced sprocket wear. Disadvantages include complexity, cost of replacement eg kevlar belts, damage tolerance and some heat/solvent resistance issues.

Shaft drive bikes like the BMW K1200S can now top 280 km/h and the technology is rapidly improving but the sheer simplicity of chain drives mean they'll be around for a long time yet.