Motorcycles

Large numbers of bearings are used in motorcycles. Actual numbers will vary depending on the model and other structural factors, but a single motorcycle will have between 20 and 30 bearings built in. These bearings are used in key revolving parts, supporting the vehicle's running, including in the engine, the transmission and the wheels. They help to reduce friction and to ensure that the motive power of the engine is reliably transmitted to the wheels.

The functions demanded of motorcycle bearings include facilitating a smooth ride due to low friction and vibration, and ensuring durability. These factors have an influence on fuel consumption and safety, things that have a close relationship to our lives. NSK keeps these points in mind in its product development and optimizes design to improve people's lives and to protect the global environment.

Motorcycles have become popular all over the world as a convenient means of transportation, and wherever they are found there will always be bearings rotating. People can appreciate NSK bearings and the technologies involved; the bearings are crucial for a pleasant sound of the engine and the smooth, powerful running of the bike. NSK responds to the eternal desire of riders around the globe for an exhilarating but comfortable ride and easy handling, and the company also makes a contribution to motorcycle reliability and safety. NSK continues to pursue smoothness in bearing rotation and paves the way toward a future where everyone will be able to enjoy smoother rides with reduced power losses.

Because bearings for motorcycle engines and transmissions are used in dusty environments where they are subjected to shock loads at high temperatures and high-speed rotation, they are required to have very high rigidity and excellent anti-dust characteristics. Wheel bearings are used for a wide variety of road conditions and riding requirements, so endurance in the face of water and mud is also a requirement. To meet these demands, NSK offers the optimum combination of material and the heat treatment technologies for exceptional durability, the best internal design of bearings for high rigidity, and excellent sealing performance.

In some cases the motorcycle does not have enough space for the mounting of bearings, so NSK has developed a wide product lineup that meets the demands of a variety of load and rotation speed conditions in a limited space.

NSK is also actively engaged in product development that takes account of the bearing handling characteristics.

NSK pursues thoroughgoing research and development based on the key themes of reducing friction, vibration and weight, while increasing compactness and operational life in order to provide the best possible products to the world.