Correct. Steve Linsdell raced a modified GTS1000 (using a 750 engine to comply with the rules of the time) at the Isle of Man in 1995. Apparently it was very heavy but handled well. View attachment 8492 The Yamaha GTS1000 was introduced in 1993, and was a decent bike, but it suffered due to being restricted to 100bhp, and it was far too dear (£9990 in '93 compared to £6800 for an ABS-equipped FJ1200). View attachment 8493
See Tony Foale's article giving useful info about hub centre steering: Tony Foale Designs, article on motorcycle alternative front suspension systems. Back in the 1970's I borrowed a DiFazio framed Suzuki 500 for a week. I must say I was very impressed with the steering, at least in comparison with telescopic forks of the day. So stable, so predictable.
Shifting an established paradigm is really tough. Even when items are proven it takes years. Moto Czysz (spelling?) comes to mind. Amazing machine just evaporated. See "Birth of a racer" if you haven't allready. In addition to bucking convention, there is the "Not invented here" mindset to overcome. Add to that, the fact that this is a business and the law of the jungle applies. I believe bikes will hover before chs goes onto serial production.
