Discussion
So I've been putting some serious thought towards a seven with a bike engine but have no experience of the engines. I'm aware that bike engines are a bit more like a consumable item in cars and am ok with that to a point.
I'm looking for something that will only be used on track and it will be driven hard. It should have 150+ bhp and be as reliable as possible. I don't mind servicing the engine after every day but the replacement engines (when needed) should not be massive money (circa 1K). Also not really wanting to tune it as reliability is more important.
I was thinking GSXR1000 or R1 but that's really just based on power and replacement engine costs. Any advice on reliability etc would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Steve
I'm looking for something that will only be used on track and it will be driven hard. It should have 150+ bhp and be as reliable as possible. I don't mind servicing the engine after every day but the replacement engines (when needed) should not be massive money (circa 1K). Also not really wanting to tune it as reliability is more important.
I was thinking GSXR1000 or R1 but that's really just based on power and replacement engine costs. Any advice on reliability etc would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Steve
Hi Steve, R1 has always been my fav as they are great value, but not as powerful as a BUSA. Road Track race now do an R1 version of the Mevabusa to keep build costs down. Excellent dynamics lightweight though chassis, fully adjustable suspension. There will be one at Autosport no doubt
Hi Steve. My R1 Phoenix has the 2003 5PW R1 injection engine. The gearbox went pop in April, but I was on a timed sprint at the time and it broke as I shifted up accelerating 2nd to 3rd, at over 70 mph, while the wheels in mid air.... It broke as I landed and has now been stuck in 3rd gear for 9 months!!! :-)
However, previously that engine had covered over 40,000 miles in 6 years , done probably 50+ track days and competitive spints, 2 trips to Monte Carlo and back via the Alps and prior to that 18 months of abuse with the previous owner!!! It R1 never broke or broke down before that, only a £20 selector broke ( where the foot gearchange normally goes ) 30 mins to fix, and had 5 sets of uprated clutch springs ( £25 per set, under 1 hour to change ) and 1 set of clutch friction plates, £100 and 1 hour to change also. It did have a few minor breakdowns generally I wont lie, but faults common to all kits and not related to the bike engine. That engine only needs a PowerCommander and sump baffle, and guess what engine I will be replacing it with.... :-)
In fact, I am possibly using the same engine again after a bike racing team checks it over for wear and fixes the gearbox. Even after the mileage and abuse it won its class in the 2012 Brighton Speed Trials with a low 13 on the bumpy public road, quicker on the day than a Ferrari F40 and Noble. Even if I do replace it with another unit, I still expect to pay under £1k for one. If I can find one, they are getting rare now, but the '05-'07 R1 like AdiT uses is a strong motor also.
Whatever you go for, you will love it, but as always get an extended ride in a BEC before you buy as some people don't like them. Never met one myself, but apparently they do exist :-)
However, previously that engine had covered over 40,000 miles in 6 years , done probably 50+ track days and competitive spints, 2 trips to Monte Carlo and back via the Alps and prior to that 18 months of abuse with the previous owner!!! It R1 never broke or broke down before that, only a £20 selector broke ( where the foot gearchange normally goes ) 30 mins to fix, and had 5 sets of uprated clutch springs ( £25 per set, under 1 hour to change ) and 1 set of clutch friction plates, £100 and 1 hour to change also. It did have a few minor breakdowns generally I wont lie, but faults common to all kits and not related to the bike engine. That engine only needs a PowerCommander and sump baffle, and guess what engine I will be replacing it with.... :-)
In fact, I am possibly using the same engine again after a bike racing team checks it over for wear and fixes the gearbox. Even after the mileage and abuse it won its class in the 2012 Brighton Speed Trials with a low 13 on the bumpy public road, quicker on the day than a Ferrari F40 and Noble. Even if I do replace it with another unit, I still expect to pay under £1k for one. If I can find one, they are getting rare now, but the '05-'07 R1 like AdiT uses is a strong motor also.
Whatever you go for, you will love it, but as always get an extended ride in a BEC before you buy as some people don't like them. Never met one myself, but apparently they do exist :-)
Don't believe all the rhetoric about bike engines being disposable. If the engine is in good condition when fitted and done properly, there should be no problem.
My 06 R1 has been 100% reliable for the last 6 years. Thats over 20,000 miles, including lots of hard track days and 4x 3000mile tours of Europe. Ragging it's backside over Alpine and Pyrenean passes (even 2up one year) and loaded for camping is about as hard a test as you can give a BEC (or any kit) and it's come through with flying colours.
All the 04-06 R1 needs for car use is a sump baffle plate and an easy mod' to the oil breather system, plus a PowerCommander and a set of Barnett HD clutch springs.
My 06 R1 has been 100% reliable for the last 6 years. Thats over 20,000 miles, including lots of hard track days and 4x 3000mile tours of Europe. Ragging it's backside over Alpine and Pyrenean passes (even 2up one year) and loaded for camping is about as hard a test as you can give a BEC (or any kit) and it's come through with flying colours.
All the 04-06 R1 needs for car use is a sump baffle plate and an easy mod' to the oil breather system, plus a PowerCommander and a set of Barnett HD clutch springs.
steveavxt said:
I do like the idea of an R1 mevabusa but have convinced myself I need a full cage. Is there an option for one to be added?
Thanks for the info so far all.
RTR do all their own tube bending so I have no doubt they could make a full cage for you.Thanks for the info so far all.
www.roadtrackrace.com
steveavxt said:
Plenty of votes for the R1, I think that's the route I'll investigate. Thanks for all the extra info around what is needed for track. Is there a company that supplies all the parts needs (clutch springs, baffle plates etc?)
Andy Bates of AB Performance is probably the best source. You can find a lot of the bit's via e-bay but though Andy may not be as cheap, he's very reliable and a mine of information on BEC's and very willing to advise. There's also loads of info' available via the BEC section over at locostbuilders forum.A few years ago there was an article in bike mag about an R1 that went around the world twice, engine was stripped and all the wear parts, bore, rings, crank etc were found to still be within factory spec, use good oil and a bike engine will last. I've never had a bike engine in my car (I have a 450bhp turbo in my Phoenix), but I had a kawa 1000 track bike and I can't imagine you could get the engine in a car to rev at anything like what it will in a 170Kg bike.
I went for a Busa and its a great engine, but worth the extra cash when you include a dry sump? Not sure.
I'd strongly suggest taking s look at a naturally aspirated Mazda 20B engine from the Mazda Cosmo. IF you can find one someone like era at 'old ones' can port it to close to 400hp and In a light enough package to make it interesting in a Mevabusa!
I'd strongly suggest taking s look at a naturally aspirated Mazda 20B engine from the Mazda Cosmo. IF you can find one someone like era at 'old ones' can port it to close to 400hp and In a light enough package to make it interesting in a Mevabusa!
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