yo guys, i usually focus on the engine information, but can anyone enlighten me on the aluminum vs. tubular steel frame debate, i recognize ducati is the only manufacturer using tubular steel, while the rest use aluminum. my key indication is ts is heavier but, stronger. also if they switched, wouldn't the bike be lighter to a point where some other part can be added. as i am a noob at this topic, it'd b appreciated if anyone can thrown in facts about this.

italiapower07 - 15 March 2008 07:14 PM

yo guys, i usually focus on the engine information, but can anyone enlighten me on the aluminum vs. tubular steel frame debate, i recognize ducati is the only manufacturer using tubular steel, while the rest use aluminum. my key indication is ts is heavier but, stronger. also if they switched, wouldn't the bike be lighter to a point where some other part can be added. as i am a noob at this topic, it'd b appreciated if anyone can thrown in facts about this.

You can start the response by saying every option is a trade off. Steel can be very light when used as Ducati does with thin tubes welded together.

Its my understanding (but I havent seen actual numbers) that the steel Duc frames arent any heavier than the aluminium frames.

also of note ducati's steel trelis frame is somewhat of a trademark for them,

ducati lovers went crazy after some new styling a couple of years ago, so maybe marketing research has led ducati to not rock the boat

same reason harleys are still for the most part only carbuerated

just a quess though, just glad to see some more bike discussion going on

keep it coming!

I'd love to know what the difference (if any) is between steel and aluminum frames. As already posted steel can be as strong and as light as aluminum. So far all I can think of is that aluminum is cast and maybe the costs are less than welding up a trellis frame. I read a piece where Yamaha and Honda were experimenting with different thickness areas in the frame casting in order to promote controlled frame flex. Handlng and traction etc. And the other forum is as dead as a Dodo so I might as well be here.

anderson and all who have read, i read something comparing the steel vs. aluminum, and i think the conclusion was that the steel absorbs shocks more effectively. Might possibly be easier to set-up and can be more forgiving, than an aluminum frame bike.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/21may03steeltrellisframe.htm

My "unresearched" guess would be the material used to build a frame is driven by production cost and speed, at least in the case of a production bike. Cutting, bending, jigging, and welding multiple steel tubes is most likely more expensive and slower than casting more comprehensive frame units that can comprise a frame out of fewer pieces. I imagine both processes can be automated, which might change the scenario.

In the case of a non-production bike, I would guess that the frame material selection is driven by the desire to use the racing machine as a research platform for production technologies. Hence, Ducati uses steel and others use aluminum.

One other note: The new KTM RC8 uses a steel trellis frame...

Chris

Read an article that Ducati are testing a new kevlar Frame . Could this be the end of their famous trellis frame?