Looks like some of the major players are working on carbon fiber frames. Apparently BMW & Honda, and maybe Ducati too, don't think it's too stiff for a motorcycle frame. - ACR -
https://www.autoblog.com/2020/02/06/ducati-superleggera-v4-230-horsepower-carbon-fiber-motorcycle/
>>> The Ducati Superleggera V4 is a 230-hp carbon fiber rocket. Only 500 will be made, and all of them will be sold in 2020.
According to Ducati, the "Superleggera V4 is the most powerful and technologically advanced production" motorcycle that has ever rolled out of the factory in Borgo Panigale, Italy. Considering the amazing two-wheeled masterpieces that Ducati has built up to this point, that's quite a statement. But it's one the Superleggera V4 backs up, starting with its high-tech chassis construction.
The Superleggera V4 is the world's first production motorcycle with its entire load-bearing structure crafted from carbon fiber. That includes the frame, subframe, swingarm and wheels. That saves nearly 15 pounds from the bike's overall weight. Much of the bike's bodywork, including the biplane airfoils that are derived from MotoGP racing technology and can deliver 110 pounds of downforce at 168 miles per hour, is similarly molded from carbon fiber.
A 998cc V-four engine delivers more than 230 horsepower to the rear wheel when the optional titanium Akrapovič exhaust is fitted for track use, or just a little less with its standard (and road legal) system in place. While we don't have an exact wet weight figure just yet, we expect the Superleggera V4 will boast the highest power-to-weight ratio of any street-legal motorcycle ever produced.
Suspension bits are provided by Öhlins, including an optional titanium rear spring, and braking duties are handled by Brembo. A set of Stylema R calipers are exclusive to the Superleggera V4. Three default and five user-definable riding modes are programmed into the bike's electronic brain, which offers customizable electronic go-fast goodies like traction control and quick shifting.
Ducati plans to build 500 Superleggera V4s, producing 5 per day and delivering the first units starting in Europe in June of 2020. We're not sure how much the Italian motorcycle maker will charge for each one, but they definitely won't be cheap. <<<
2018 Article on carbon fiber frames - Ducati Superleggera -
https://www.bikebandit.com/blog/carbon-fiber-the-metal-of-the-future>>>carbon fiber is being used by manufacturers to create structural elements of their motorcycles. The ultra high-performance Ducati 1299 Superleggera boasts a carbon fiber frame, subframe, swingarm, and wheels to lighten the 215hp superbike to an unheard of 340 pounds, and BMW’s new HP4 Race is another carbon fiber masterpiece, with not only a carbon fiber frame that is pure art, but a full complement of carbon fiber bodywork as well<<<
https://carbonfibergear.com/blogs/carbonfiber/160-000-all-carbon-fiber-and-titanium-ducati-999s-motorcycle$160,000 All Carbon Fiber and Titanium Ducati 999S Motorcycle
https://www.rideapart.com/articles/265750/carbon-fiber-frame-honda-cbr600rr/>>>Carbon fiber is the crown jewel of performance motorcycle building materials. Its strength and light weight compared to other more common materials help vehicles shed precious weight when every gram counts and looks undeniably cool when they don’t. Some manufacturers have taken bold decisions by putting models on the market dressed to the nines in carbon fiber, with an extravagant price to match. Think BMW HP4 and Ducati 1299 Superleggera that will set you back roughly $80k. <<<
https://thekneeslider.com/build-your-own-carbon-fiber-motorcycle-frame/>>>carbon fiber chopper frameAfter mentioning motorcycle kits and components I noticed these two links describing the process for building carbon fiber bicycle frames. Super light and super strong, carbon fiber is showing up in all sorts of vehicles. I previously mentioned one company building carbon fiber motorcycle frames for the chopper market<<<
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FS5GGnAgvw >>> BMW HP4 Race Carbon Fibre Frame | First Ride | Motorcyclenews.com <<<
https://www.cycleworld.com/story/bikes/bmw-next-gen-swingarm-less-carbon-fiber-superbike/>>>BMW’s Next-Gen, Swingarm-Less Carbon Fiber Superbike
Wild patent points at more ultra-lightweight machines in the future.
By Ben Purvis
August 13, 2020>>> When it launched the S 1000 RR-based HP4 Race three years ago, BMW proved the carbon fiber technologies it has honed in racing and road cars could make the leap to two wheels. It’s only a matter of time before a more mass-produced carbon sportbike reaches showrooms, and a new patent from BMW hints that it could be even more advanced than its predecessor.
As a reminder, the HP4 Race was BMW’s range-topping superbike back in 2018, weighing in at just 377 pounds wet thanks to a carbon fiber frame, bodywork, and wheels. Its dry weight was an even more impressive-sounding 322 pounds, and thanks to an engine spec that was similar to the firm’s WSBK machines it achieved 215 hp. On the downside, it cost $78,000, could only be used on the track, and that exotic motor needed to be replaced every 5,000 kilometers, at a cost of around $20,000. That fun didn’t come cheap. <<<