Ask MO Anything: Why Didn't the Ducati Supermono Just Use Normal Counterbalancers?
Following our recent Falloon File about the lovely and talented little Ducati Supermono, Commenter Bob wanted to know: “Why did Bordi use an extra connecting rod instead of the usual balance shafts? BMW had a parallel twin with a third con rod for the same reason. I would be interested in reading a technical analysis of those motors.”
Ask MO Anything: Why Don't More Motorcycles Use Hydraulic Valve Lifters?
We got this comment/question at the end of an article about Harley-Davidson’s new Revolution Max engine from Steve Sweetz, and it’s an excellent one:
Ask MO Anything: How Much Does It Cost the Manufacturer to Add Cruise Control?
Regular readers may have noticed that I’m partial to cruise control, to the point where I may have stated I wouldn’t buy a new motorcycle without it. Cruise control, in fact, is one of the best things the new Aprilia Tuono 660 in our lead photo has going for it. When I complained that the new Ducati Monster doesn’t offer the magic button in our May First Ride, I suffered the slings and arrows in the Comments section. The new Monster is now a ride-by-wire affair, and I’d heard from various knowledgeable sources that when ride-by-wire is already present – ie, the throttle is controlled by the ECU instead of the rider’s wrist – it’s a simple affair to add cc, mostly a matter of just adding the button and switchgear.
