Hub-centre steer R1 from GTS1000 designer

Former Yamaha engineer Jean-Michel Thiers has developed an all-new hub-centre steer superbike using an R1 engine to prove that the system offers a real advantage over conventional telescopic forks.

Thiers set up his own company Tier Motorsports to develop and market the single-sided hub-centre concept with planned products ranging from hub-centre-steering conversion kits for motocross bikes to a full-on superbike built around the 180bhp engine from Yamaha’s R1.

He was also the man responsible for the design of Yamaha’s own GTS1000 in the early 1990s, but Thiers’ patent-pending system is unique to his new machine. He said: “What differentiates us from previous attempt at front swing arm is our patent-pending Four-Bar steering mechanism inside the hub of the wheel.

“This alone eliminates feedback of road disturbances, pot-holes etcetera, into the handlebars leaving you with a very light and very precise steering.”

See more in next week’s MCN, out December 17.