"

Conventional forks pivot around a single stem in the headstock, which necessitates a beefy frame with a large spine (or heavy perimeter spars) to brace and channel the considerable forces coming from the front end. The modern frame has evolved around this need – you have a round steering head attached high in the front to a set of tubes or beams which then channel forces into the rest of the frame, or through the engine cases if the motor is a stressed member. With a front swinging arm design, you can practically engineer that bulky frame right out of the equation: you simply need a relatively minimal spar that connects the front and rear suspensions together, ala Bimota Tesi or Yamaha GTS1000 which bolt frame plates to the lower sides of the motor. Steering is through an unstressed linkage that connects the handlebars to the front swingarm. You end up with a simpler and stronger frame, better mass centralization, less weight, and fewer flex points in the chassis."



http://silodrome.com/yamaha-ffe-350/

I wonder if any of you have had experience with bikes that have swingarm(s) instead of forks.  The article talks about some distinct advantages over forks, such as less dip when braking, less flex, less need for a bulkier frame.  Are there any other alternatives to the forked suspension?  Have any of these bikes become popular in local or world markets?  I am intrigued.

Here's a couple of the better articles on the Bimota Tesi 3D which describe the front end and how it translates to rider interaction and feel: 

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/2009-bimota-tesi...


http://www.cycleworld.com/2008/01/22/first-ride-bimota-...