Motorcycle Engines with good Low end Torque ?

Motorcycle Engines with good Low end Torque ?

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fuoriserie

Original Poster:

4,560 posts

269 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
quotequote all
Steffan said:
dom9 said:
My, this sounds like quite the engine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_VFR1200F

Always interested in these bike engine topics - I still want to do a very lightweight bike engined car at some point.

The 350kg electric car on the new page today suggests this is very do-able (assuming electric motors and battery weight a similar amount to a bike engine, cooling etc)!
Returning to the topic of this thread I find an all up weight of 350kgs pretty light for a three wheeler. How this has been achieved with an electric car I have no idea as electic cars tend to be heavy IME. Whatever method has been used it should be possible to use a lightweight all alloy m/c engine and drivetrain and significantly improve on the actual weight of that car. It would be interesting to compare the two. I would expect the petrol vehicle to be quicker (although electric cars can shift, for sort distances) have excellent fuel consumption, probably in excess of 70 mpg driven sensibly and a range of several hundred miles. That is why I am still very much a petrol head.
The Velorex Oskar has a weight of 205kg, but it's petrol powered and not electric.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velorex

I would think that having a textile body instead of GRP does make a big difference....

Steffan

10,362 posts

228 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
quotequote all
fuoriserie said:
Steffan said:
dom9 said:
My, this sounds like quite the engine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_VFR1200F

Always interested in these bike engine topics - I still want to do a very lightweight bike engined car at some point.

The 350kg electric car on the new page today suggests this is very do-able (assuming electric motors and battery weight a similar amount to a bike engine, cooling etc)!
Returning to the topic of this thread I find an all up weight of 350kgs pretty light for a three wheeler. How this has been achieved with an electric car I have no idea as electic cars tend to be heavy IME. Whatever method has been used it should be possible to use a lightweight all alloy m/c engine and drivetrain and significantly improve on the actual weight of that car. It would be interesting to compare the two. I would expect the petrol vehicle to be quicker (although electric cars can shift, for sort distances) have excellent fuel consumption, probably in excess of 70 mpg driven sensibly and a range of several hundred miles. That is why I am still very much a petrol head.
The Velorex Oskar has a weight of 205kg, but it's petrol powered and not electric.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velorex

I would think that having a textile body instead of GRP does make a big difference....
As usual fuoriserie, you are on the ball. Indeed the Velorex was a very light car as many of the three wheelers of that period were. Personally I think some greater crash protection is required on safety grounds on modern roads. Canvas strikes me as an inappropriate material on modern roads. As I get older my awareness of the proximity of the Grim Reaper increases steadily!

I think a reasonable balance of protection, service ability and weight could be achieved under 350 KG in a modern three wheeler with an m/c set up driving the rear wheel. I would suggest a glass fibre tub with alloy subframes bonded in as a complete unit taking the immediate road knocks and holding the engine mounts etc and the drive train. Glassfibre is a very strong material providing point loads are distributed effectively preventing pressure crushing of the fiberglass locally.

Unsurprisingly the early designs of Lawrie Bond (and others) for Bond Minicar and Berkeley Sports car used just that system. Later cars included alloy floors (I think from memory) certainly the three I had did but the idea does work. Down to somebody doing this and it will not be me, currently, I am up to my armpits in Kit cars!

Sway

26,275 posts

194 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2014
quotequote all
fuoriserie said:
I've posted on the three wheeler thread about my ideal commuter - that is it!

Please someone tell me it can be made UK Road legal relatively easily?

fuoriserie

Original Poster:

4,560 posts

269 months

Thursday 3rd July 2014
quotequote all
Sway said:
I've posted on the three wheeler thread about my ideal commuter - that is it!

Please someone tell me it can be made UK Road legal relatively easily?
I guess it could, but I'm sure someonelse in the forum could be more specific.

The price would be almost 21,000 Pounds....
http://drivescorpion.com/build-p6/
http://drivescorpion.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/1...

fuoriserie

Original Poster:

4,560 posts

269 months

Thursday 3rd July 2014
quotequote all
http://daautoparts.salvagemarket.co.uk/vehicle-lis...

Maybe some good deals to be made....

fuoriserie

Original Poster:

4,560 posts

269 months

Thursday 3rd July 2014
quotequote all
http://www.motoriminarelli.it/pdf/xt660.pdf

Just rememebered the classic single cylinder used by Yamaha, Aprilia and a few others....

TheForceV4

543 posts

187 months

Thursday 3rd July 2014
quotequote all
Has anyone said the RSV Mille? Sorry i've only read the first page! Torque like a bean fed pig! Again apologies if mentioned already.

dom9

8,078 posts

209 months

Thursday 3rd July 2014
quotequote all
RSV was mentioned and I like the look of that smile

Good discussion guys!

I think I'd want my car with 4 wheels, maybe like an even smaller/ lighter J15?!

fuoriserie

Original Poster:

4,560 posts

269 months

Saturday 5th July 2014
quotequote all

fuoriserie

Original Poster:

4,560 posts

269 months

Saturday 5th July 2014
quotequote all
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-TL1000S-TL1000-S-...

This Susuki TL 1000 is not bad either...

dern

14,055 posts

279 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
I know it's not in the original CC range but I just picked up a ktm superduke 990 bike this weekend and thought of this thread. Engine is a 75 degree V twin making 120bhp and 75ftlbs of torque. The interesting thing though that made me think of this thread is that it's dry sumped in the bike.

Cheers,

Mark

Steffan

10,362 posts

228 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
dern said:
I know it's not in the original CC range but I just picked up a ktm superduke 990 bike this weekend and thought of this thread. Engine is a 75 degree V twin making 120bhp and 75ftlbs of torque. The interesting thing though that made me think of this thread is that it's dry sumped in the bike.

Cheers,

Mark
When I were a lad, long ago, such complexity was the stuff of dreams in M/C's of my youth and utterly beyond really understanding let alone actually owning. Just shows how much development and progress there has been in engine designs and reliability over the years.

I have decided that I will build another kit car this year (I am crackers but it is my thing, only got three kits in progress currently IVA'd three this year so not bad) and through the good offices of qdos here on PH I am in touch with Rayvoloution cars about their outstanding three wheelers which I am in the process of test driving and evaluating. I thank you sir!

I am also stil toying with the idea of buying a Berkeley in bits and rebuilding the car with modern m/c underpinnings, disc brakes and a decent modern suspension etc and that is the current alternative to building a new three wheeler. I am mindful that the Berkeley's are getting pretty long in the tooth (a bit like me) and the stresses and strains that the modern set up might produce coulld be asking a bit much of what is an old frame and body. Probably one decrepit body in the car (me) at a time would be sensible so currently the Rayvoloution ia favourite and I will keep PH updated on the progress.

Now back to that garage to fettle a bit more on the current build!

Sway

26,275 posts

194 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
Steffan, would appreciate if you give updates regarding the rayvolution...

It won't be this year, but I can see myself getting stuck into a build next year for a replacement commuter for my GTM Libra to become a true animal!

Test drive thoughts/loads of photos will be very welcome.

dom9

8,078 posts

209 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
Rayvolution looks interesting... chuck in another wheel and (maybe/ maybe not) another seat and that's what I am talking about... Can maybe reduce the wheelbase, without a bike swing arm and reduce the width a little!?

Steffan

10,362 posts

228 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
Sway said:
Steffan, would appreciate if you give updates regarding the rayvolution...

It won't be this year, but I can see myself getting stuck into a build next year for a replacement commuter for my GTM Libra to become a true animal!

Test drive thoughts/loads of photos will be very welcome.
Certainly will once it's happened. I am looking forward to it.

fuoriserie

Original Poster:

4,560 posts

269 months

Tuesday 8th July 2014
quotequote all
motor/content/service/wartungshandbuecher/404753/404753_EN.pdf
They're currently used on Polaris ATV's....



Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 4th September 07:15

fuoriserie

Original Poster:

4,560 posts

269 months

Thursday 4th September 2014
quotequote all
Does anyone have first hand experience or info on the Yamaha Virago 535cc engines or later Dragstar 650cc ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_XV535

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_DragStar_650

I like the V-twin configuration and they're shaft-drive...

Sway

26,275 posts

194 months

Thursday 4th September 2014
quotequote all
I've ridden pillion on a Virago...

Not much I can say - seemed to have a great swell of torque, nice sound, smooth.

However, big caveats there! We didn't exactly stretch the limits!

One thought - as cruiser bikes have minimal lean capabilities, has the engine's oil system have the ability to cope with high cornering forces?

fuoriserie

Original Poster:

4,560 posts

269 months

Thursday 4th September 2014
quotequote all
Sway said:
I've ridden pillion on a Virago...

Not much I can say - seemed to have a great swell of torque, nice sound, smooth.

However, big caveats there! We didn't exactly stretch the limits!

One thought - as cruiser bikes have minimal lean capabilities, has the engine's oil system have the ability to cope with high cornering forces?
Thanks for the info..smile

I was just wondering if it made for a good threewheeler engine donor instead of the classic Guzzi or Bmw option....

Sway

26,275 posts

194 months

Thursday 4th September 2014
quotequote all
Don't see any barriers (assuming oil is OK) for a three wheeler, as said it's quite torquey, sounds great, assume reliable...

Does shaft drive limit rear design? Would you transfer the entire rear end or use a new swingarm/driveshaft?