swingarm

noun

1. The main component of the rear suspension of most modern motorcycles and ATVs; holds the rear axle in place while swinging vertically to allow the suspension to absorb the shock from bumps in the road.

   “At the rear, you'll find a single, centrally mounted shock, the now-familiar single-sided swingarm and BMW's Paralever shaft-drive system, which does away with most of a shafty's chassis-jacking bugaboos.”

   “At the rear, stiffer springs, a new aluminum swingarm and a redesigned linkage for the suspension all benefit on-road behavior, though there is now an inch less ground clearance.”