Japanese motorcycles moving into forced induction
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: California
Japanese motorcycles moving into forced induction
Japanese motorcycles moving into forced induction
Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/suzuk...photo-1604326/
While turbocharging and supercharging may be nothing new in the automotive industry, motorcycle engines are almost always naturally aspirated. But even that's beginning to change. At the Tokyo Motor Show last week, two major Japanese companies showed off new forced-induction motorbike engines.
Kawasaki rolled in with a supercharged four-cylinder motorbike engine. It offered little in the way of details, disclosing only that the turbine blades were developed in-house to withstand the heat and vibration of spooling up at motorbike speeds.
Suzuki is taking a different approach, however. Its Recursion concept bike packs a turbocharged 588cc two-cylinder engine with a turbocharger and intercooler. The compact package churns out just under 100 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of torque, packaged into a motorbike that weighs just 384 pounds dry.
Kawasaki rolled in with a supercharged four-cylinder motorbike engine. It offered little in the way of details, disclosing only that the turbine blades were developed in-house to withstand the heat and vibration of spooling up at motorbike speeds.
Suzuki is taking a different approach, however. Its Recursion concept bike packs a turbocharged 588cc two-cylinder engine with a turbocharger and intercooler. The compact package churns out just under 100 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of torque, packaged into a motorbike that weighs just 384 pounds dry.
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/suzuk...photo-1586072/
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,517
Likes: 213
From: San Francisco, CA
I think the motorcycle industry should deal with the emissions coming out first. Last time I checked (not sure if things have changed by now) small engines are not regulated by the government. I always have to turn on the recirculation when a motorcycle is in front of me. annoying as hell. The same goes for leaf blowers
/rant
/rant
Last edited by RXSF; Nov 30, 2013 at 04:49 PM.
youre right rxsf, ive also heard/read that motorcycles put out many times more pollutants than cars. yet motorcycles are not regulated. i dont remember my bike, or any bike ive seen/ridden having a cat, which would explain a lot.
so you want emissions dealt with just because you dont like it being blown in your face? fair enough
as for turbocharging bikes, thats nothing new. people having being turbocharging (suzuki) hayabusas for a long time. and i wasnt aware of any, but i assumed that there were a stock blown bike from the factory.
thing about all that is, all itll do is increase acceleration (which im sure is what theyre looking forward to) however, motorcycles are pretty much at a stand still when it comes to top speed/etc, with the limiting factor being aerodynamics....
i mean, personally I dont need a high top speed, id much rather have a bunch of low end torque and great acceleration, i was just adding to the discussion.
so you want emissions dealt with just because you dont like it being blown in your face? fair enough
as for turbocharging bikes, thats nothing new. people having being turbocharging (suzuki) hayabusas for a long time. and i wasnt aware of any, but i assumed that there were a stock blown bike from the factory.
thing about all that is, all itll do is increase acceleration (which im sure is what theyre looking forward to) however, motorcycles are pretty much at a stand still when it comes to top speed/etc, with the limiting factor being aerodynamics....
i mean, personally I dont need a high top speed, id much rather have a bunch of low end torque and great acceleration, i was just adding to the discussion.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,243
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From: Maryland
What's the point? Motorcycles don't have enough power? Better torque band? But don't cruiser bikes already have decent torque production? Modding potential? Marketing? WE GOTZ TURBOS! 
Can't be for better fuel efficiency because bikes are already pretty darned efficient. Just wondering....
Can't be for better fuel efficiency because bikes are already pretty darned efficient. Just wondering....
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Out of Warranty
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Houston, Republic of Texas
I seem to remember one manufacturer building a turbo moped or scooter in the mid-fifties. It might have been Puch, or possibly one of the early Japanese manufacturers. There was a fan, not even a centrifugal blower, located ahead of the carburetor that provided a tiny bit of boost to what I seem to remember was a two-stroke engine. It couldn't have been much, but to a 12 year-old's bike fantasies I think the maker claimed something like 9 hp output. Now that would have been pretty spectacular for a 50cc smoker motor. Today, I'd bet it was probably no more than 5 hp, considering the minimal pressure that fan probably developed in the system.
At least the idea's been around for a while, even if it might not have worked too well. In the postwar period, both Japan and Europe were looking for simple, cheap transportation, and the first guy to put a blower - even a minimal one - on a two-wheeler could capture the cheap "performance" market in the early '50's.
At least the idea's been around for a while, even if it might not have worked too well. In the postwar period, both Japan and Europe were looking for simple, cheap transportation, and the first guy to put a blower - even a minimal one - on a two-wheeler could capture the cheap "performance" market in the early '50's.
first off, you don't speak for all ('we') and second, your 'silly' comment was uncalled for. don't do that again. spwolf in particular is a long time valued contributor on CL. if you have any feedback or comments, you can report a post or pm any moderator. thank you.
the way i wrote it... was a mix of personal opinion (all I want is more low end I dont need more top end)
of course it would increase low end as well
Last edited by bitkahuna; Dec 1, 2013 at 09:02 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: NJ
lolIt might not make sense to most people why manufacturers would go to FI but, I'd like to point out that bikes have come to a point where it doesn't make any sense to further develop the technologies that are already on there. There was a really good article explaining the technical side of things but I'll try to paraphrase. For example, when something like the gasoline engine was first developed, the technology was crude. You made little power, it cost a lot to make and it was very simple. Over time, you can further refine the technology, make it more efficient, more powerful and begin to reduce the costs of the advancements you've made in the technology. Once you get way further down the line of evolution, making incremental power gains and efficiency starts to become way harder and way more expensive. The cost to performance gains becomes completely lopsided. Motorcycles have gotten there with their crazy 15k rev limit engines and race like suspension. So, want a quick and easy to boost performance? Add a turbo. These high revving NA motors have a perfect setup to take advantage of FI. They would only have to strengthen the block + internals and increase the cooling system.
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