Motorcycle Engines with good Low end Torque ?

[fuoriserie]

Was wondering what modern motorcycle engines with low end torque would fit in the 600-800cc range ? at a reasonable cost and still available, dependable and cheap to mantain.

Other than the classic Guzzi small block V-Twin and Bmw Boxer I had thought of these:

Yamaha XTZ 660cc
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_XT
Yamaha Mt3

Suzuki SV 650cc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_SV650

Honda Hawk Gt:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_NT650


Ducati Monster 620cc

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


Any other motorcycle engines that would fit ? Kawasaki ? Triumph 675 ?


Looking forward to your comments and ideas

Cheers
Italo

[fuoriserie]

[quote=Mike 1982
Is there a specific reason you wan to use a smaller engine?
[/quote]

Affordability and maintenance costs, cheap to buy and repair for the enthusiasts.

Might be chain drive but haven't ruled out shaft drive yet...

[fuoriserie]

Mr2Mike said:

If you are looking at twins then the Kawasaki ER6 is in the same ball park as the SV650, but is a parallel twin so the packaging may better suit some applications.

Yes I did see the Kawasaki ER6 specifications and it does look like an interesting engine.

[fuoriserie]

Mike 1982 said:

Engine chice will depend on the wieght of the car you want to power, you will also need to think about drive options (i.e chain drive or shaft drive)

I would think the small engines you have mentioned will be underpowered on anything except an extremly light car/trike

I run a Honda SP2 V-twin engine in may car and replacement engines can be had for 600-1000 on ebay

It will be a trike and with reference to your engine, is this related to yours ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_VTR1000F

[fuoriserie]

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

With reference to shaft drive i was thinking to the Honda Deaville or Yamaha XVs 650cc

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

The Yamaha engine looks great...

[fuoriserie]

Mike 1982 said:

Its related - but is a less tuned version. This is what i run...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_RC51
(the later SP2 version)

Have a look at prices, I dont think the Sv650 etc will be that much cheaper than the bigger engines

You dont see many cars driven by smaller engines - the weight of even the lightest cars is going to be near double of a bike - I think the smaller engiens would really suffer

Some of the older bikes (ZX9, early blades) can be picked up for under a grand for a complete bike - ideal if you want to do a reverse trike and use the swing arm like the MEV TR1ke

I like your Honda RC51 (VTR 1000)...prices for bikes are slightly cheaper in Italy for bikes in the 600-800cc range....

As ypou mentioned this VTR 1000 Firestorm would have a tempting price:
http://www.moto.it/moto-usate/honda/vtr-1000-f/vtr...

or this Kawasaki ZX9 R

http://www.moto.it/moto-usate/kawasaki/ninja-900-z...

Very interesting engines and thanks for the info....

[fuoriserie]

Furyblade_Lee said:

Furiosi unless you need to creep under some cc laws then I don't think you will get any advantage whatsoever from a 6 or 800cc motor. Most 1000cc bike engines are light, powerful , compact ( I can lift my R1 engine, gearbox and cradle out of my car on my own , just, ..... ) and pretty much maintainance free apart from fluids and clutches ( for me anyway ) This lack of torque spoken of is usually remedied quite easily I have found by knocking it down 1 gear, flooring it and holding on tight! Interesting to see what you are up to!!!

Smaller engines do have some insurance and tax advantages and lower maintenance costs in Italy but have no idea of the costs in the UK.

With reference to my project it might, maybe, who knows come to fruition in 2015...but after some thorough research on my part...and the help of all my PH friends...Thanks ....

[fuoriserie]

Artstu said:

Honda NC700X or NC750 are the most car like engines, a bit new and too expensive though, perhaps.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/bikereviews/sear...

I like that engine, but as you mentioned it's too expensive at the moment but I'm sure it's a very good engine.

[fuoriserie]

http://www.moto.it/moto-usate/suzuki/vl-800-intrud...

Expensive but Shaft drive and voloptuos engine...

[fuoriserie]

[quote=rehab71

For a cracking sound, good gearing for your application, and plenty of torque the Triumph triples take some beating.
[/quote]

The sound is amazing !!!! I would say fantastic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdqGtcBTZ9E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn1Ej6Skr7w

[fuoriserie]

Compo_Simmonite said:

What about a late model Smart 450 Fortwo engine ? 700cc (early were 600cc) three cylinder turbo with electric gear selection and reverse.

Very interesting idea.

[fuoriserie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfa4HBaatZo

The Yamaha Mt 09 does look like having more low end torque than the speed triple, but the two engines do have a great sound, but expensive....

[fuoriserie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwQ7WhZUSkI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkL4XoB-QvQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZOLtIKfQc8

This Scorpion P6 powered by a Kawasaki Zx6- R does look like a lot of fun....

[fuoriserie]

Spanna said:

VL800 Intruder mentioned above, you can get the same engine in a Suzuki VX800 or Sachs Roadster. Lots of torque for a bike engine.

I had an NTV 650, same engine as Honda Hawk and Deauville, I wouldn't want to use it in anything much heavier than a bike.

Thanks for the info on the Suzuki VX800 and the Honda Hawk.

[fuoriserie]

Gareth9702 said:

I am surprised no-one has mentioned the Honda VFR750/800 engine. Plentiful (just check the number on ebay!) and cheap because they are very long lasting. They have low-down talk, make a great sound, and a racing pedigree. They are also compact. What more could you want?

Interesting figures :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_VFR750F

[fuoriserie]

http://www.autoevolution.com/mengine/bmw-r-850-r-2...

BMW Boxer 850 R .

[fuoriserie]

http://www.marotti.eu/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz2nXgMHTHA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEy8lSkYPEk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtSkwEc8dhc

With a Honda 750 cc V4 engine.

Edited by fuoriserie on Monday 23 June 21:34

[fuoriserie]

http://www.brp-powertrain.com/en/desktopdefault.as...


The Rotax engine used on KTM and Can Am trikes is interesting and other :

http://www.brp-powertrain.com/en/desktopdefault.as...

Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 24th June 20:53

[fuoriserie]

gtmdriver said:

None of the modern bike engines, regardless of capacity, have the same sort of torque curve as a car engine. Not even the V twins like Ducati or Aprillia. The nearest are the Guzzi and BMW engines you originally suggested.They also allow you to fit, with some modification, a car type gearbox, but I think you would find them both lacking in outright power. The bigger American V twins like the Harley and the Victory produce large amounts of torque but they are generally narrow angle V twins and can shake a bit.

True, but It really depends on the use of the engine and I have found a few that would fit the bill, but I still see the Guzzi and Bmw on top of my list, but I'm still looking...

Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 26th June 08:11

[fuoriserie]

Plasticspoon said:

Full power v-max?
Just a few cc's more than you were asking for.

Nice but expensive...