JTEKT Corporation will supply a special tapered roller bearings for the Kawasaki works team which will participate in Motocross races*1 in Japan and overseas beginning January, 2016.
Our supplied bearings are installed on the clamp of the steering stem on the side of the motorcycle frame, and have special specifications which differ from those of bearings for mass-produced motorcycles.
The angled outer ring of the bearing enables the adjustment of the handle caster angle (shaft angle made by the steering stem and ground) and allows the adjustment of the tire grounding area and position. As a result, this achieves the optimal vehicle settings according to the rider or race and contributes to the Kawasaki works team, which participates in worldwide racing events, by improving steering feeling and vehicle operability.
*1 Races in which the team is scheduled to participate:
• Motocross World Championship (19 races in MXGP/ Europe and other)
http://www.fim-live.com/en/sport/sport/motocross-mxgpmx2/
• AMA Supercross/AMA Motocross (Total 29 races in North America)
http://www.amasupercross.com/events.aspx
http://americanmotorcyclist.com/Racing/Motocross/MotocrossChampionships.aspx
• All Japan Motocross Championship (10 races in Japan)
http://mfj.or.jp/user/contents/Watching-a-game_info2015/motocross/index.html