What engine format has surprised you the most?

[Bob_Defly]

I regularly ride a triple and a single cylinder bike, so am used to the nice low down torque. Last year I test rode a Japanese inline four 600cc bike, and apart from the unfamiliar superman riding position, I found the engine really odd.

You have to use tons of revs to feel like you're accelerating, and also blipping to downshift was a no-brainer, as the lack of engine braking means you could be pretty ham fisted. With the triple you really feel it if you get the revs wrong.

And even at high revs, it never really sounded 'powerful' if you know what I mean, it didn't have any gruffness, sounded a bit hair-dryery. I'm not sure I'll ever get on with inline fours...

[xeny]

Remember there's also an element that the same revs will sound faster, as there's more cylinders firing every second.

I spent some time swapping between twins and a four - had to look at the rev counter far too much.

[srob]

Sporty two-strokes.

When I was a yoof and riding sports bikes I went from an FZR400 to an RS250. The power band was the first surprise; I'd ridden smaller two strokes but never felt anything like that bike when it hit the power band.

Secondly when I got back from any ride I'd turn into the drive and pin the throttle and spin the back wheel up the length of the gravel drive. Not really sure why. The second surprise came when I realised that two strokes don't have any engine braking and I was heading at the spare room bedroom window at about 20mph

[2wheelsjimmy]

VTwin. In specific the Lc8 in my ktm 990.

It’s just addictive, teeth bearing fun. Can’t think of a bike to replace it. 115bhp at the wheel is more than enough for the road. It’s the right amount of go, that you can and want to thrash it everywhere. It just eggs you on.

[Mr OCD]

Crossplane R1 ... very bizarre to ride ... rough / grumbly at low revs, smooth and powerful at high revs and you always seem to be doing 2000 rpm more than you expect and therefore going faster ... pretty impressive for an IL4.

[Biker 1]

I road a KTM Duke 690, single, followed by a CB650F, IL4. I loved the KTM in low speed twisties & traffic, but there's something about giving an IL4 the beans at the rev limiter.......

[Biker's Nemesis]

The fanny.

Any sized piston fits, it's self lubricating and has high service intervals.

[SAS Tom]

Triumph 955 triple. What a turd of an engine. Sounded crap and wasn’t particularly powerful. Even when I revved it out expecting it to pick up it just hit the Rev limiter instead. Definitely don’t understand that “best of both worlds” crap that people go on about. Not torquey like a twin and no power like a 4.

[3DP]

Testastretta evoluzione V-twin Ducati superbike 1098 and 1198 engines. They are just mad, awesome things - bottom end, mid range and top end, In almost every situation they give you more than you need, delivered in the most exciting and aurally satisfying way possible.

Earlier Ducati V twins were too agricultural at the bottom and too breathless at the top. Later Superquaddros different in character.

Edited by 3DP on Thursday 25th January 09:26

[cmaguire]

Biker's Nemesis said:

The fanny.

Any sized piston fits, it's self lubricating and has high service intervals.

Has a habit of habit of lubrication failure if you give it too much stick, which can score the piston quite badly.

[Biker's Nemesis]

cmaguire said:

Biker's Nemesis said:

The fanny.

Any sized piston fits, it's self lubricating and has high service intervals.

Has a habit of habit of lubrication failure if you give it too much stick, which can score the piston quite badly.

Not easy to modify either, if you stroke it too much it can have a breakdown.

[cmaguire]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Not easy to modify either, if you stroke it too much it can have a breakdown.

A higher capacity version with larger production tolerances does alleviate this issue, but performance is badly affected by blow-by.

[Biker's Nemesis]

I'll have to stop there or we will be in the st.

[2ndclasscitizen]

Singles, in a bad way. Rode a 2013 690 Duke when I was last bike shopping as I've always been keen on one but never ridden.

The engine was fine when you were absolutely hammering it, but fking miserable outside of that. And they're supposed to be the best single ever. Strong pass from me.

Edited by 2ndclasscitizen on Thursday 25th January 11:51

[graham22]

2ndclasscitizen said:

Singles, in a bad way. Rode a 2013 690 Duke when I was last bike shopping as I've always been keen on one but never ridden.

The engine was fine when you were absolutely hammering it, but fking miserable outside of that. And they're supposed to be the best single ever. Strong pass from me.

Edited by 2ndclasscitizen on Thursday 25th January 11:51

Try riding another single to see how bad things can be, the KTM 690 motor is refined & revvy in comparison.

[graham22]

2wheelsjimmy said:

VTwin. In specific the Lc8 in my ktm 990.

Was thinking the same of the LC8 in my old Superduke, just enough power but great mid-range & punchy - real grin factor.


However the IL4 in my S1000R trumps it. Despite being a different layout to the SD, it outguns it every where and still revs with strong clean power - guess that's 10 years of development. An S1000RR mate said he'd prefer the R motor to his RR as the power is where you want it rather than having to chase it higher up the revs.

[Loyly]

I've never been much a fan of twins. I find them good for pootling about but their natural torque and low rpm limit means a shift up is never far away, so they never really satisfy when you want to wring a gear out. I've not tried a TL1000R or an Aprilia RSV though, they might change my mind.

I love IL4's but I have a soft spot for triples. They've got a great punch and don't tail off like twins do. I love them for road riding.

[podman]

No format has surprised me but the most fearful thing ive ever ridden was my old Maico 490..the fastest sportsbikes ive owned a doddle in comparison to riding this as it was intended, especially when the throttle stuck open on one unforgettable occasion.

[Biker's Nemesis]

podman said:

No format has surprised me but the most fearful thing ive ever ridden was my old Maico 490..the fastest sportsbikes ive owned a doddle in comparison to riding this as it was intended, especially when the throttle stuck open on one unforgettable occasion.

I'll not ask if it wheelied.

[Loyly]

I'll bet it took some stones to pilot that thing.