Why is the front fork so fat?

“The front suspension on the FZ16 has extra wide 41 mm diameter inner tubes. It also has a longer [cushioning] stroke, provides a comfortable ride and contributes to better handling stability. The stroke is 130 mm, which is 10mm longer than the on the Gladiator. Because the tubes are fat, they are also more rigid. That means a better feeling of stability in straight-line running, cornering, when running over bumps and during strong braking. The suspension function itself is also improved. The contact surface area between the inner and outer tubes is increased and friction reduced for better suspension action.”