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A new suspension system based on the functional movement of the human knee joint has now been developed, utilizing torsion spring as restoring force. The main characteristics of this new suspension mechanism are the application of spring force to both the vertical and longitudinal directions, and the elimination of high energy loss hydraulic, and friction dampers from the suspension system. This suspension was successfully used in the 1995 Race Across America trans-continental bicycle race, completing the grueling trip with no mechanical trouble and with a significant reduction in physical damage and stress to the rider.

To reduce the shock and improve the safety when a motorcycle has a front collision, the authors have created a new suspension system using a crank element and have demonstrated its usefulness. For this purpose, a test motorcycle was made by installing this system on an ordinary motorcycle with an engine displacement of 125 cc. A pulling type impact test apparatus was made to collide the test motorcycle against an obstacle. The shock absorbing characteristics of the suspension system were investigated systematically. The result shows that the impact load on the motorcycle decreased by approximately 30% when compared with ordinary motorcycles, and that the inclination of the motorcycle in a collision was significantly reduced.