Will there be a next gamechanger?
Discussion
During my lifetime I would say there have been three.
The GPZ900R in 1984
The FireBlade in 1992, a bigger gamechanger, and current bikes are all an evolution of this
Electronics in 2010, when the S1000RR got that ball properly rolling
With the K5 GSXR the bikes arguably hit a high point and since then have been subject to fine tuning only.
And with the superbike crop of 2017 I suspect we are now looking at the same situation with electronics
So what next?
I am wondering if the next gamechanger is the electric bike that actually works.
Sadly this doesn't excite me very much
To me the Nikken is a gimmick/oddball and not really a bike anyway.
As to the supercharger angle, that would be more evolution than gamechanger, much like widespread use of carbon fibre to reduce weight if it became cost effective. We've already been there with turbos in the 80's, and that could also probably be revisited and be more workable now with modern technology.
I think forced induction will become more common but is more likely to be fitted for enviromental reasons to give smaller engines enough grunt to attract more buyers whilst giving mpg figures that make the authorities happier and pass Euro15. There is talk that forced induction might give a 600 the performance of a 1000cc sportsbike but nobody is buying 600s. Is there likely to be a will for massive amounts of R&D etc to be diverted back to mid-sized bikes when the large bikes are selling well thank you very much? The H2 proves it is a pointless exercise on litre bikes. I can see forced induction on Burgmanns and ER6s as most likely applications
Hybrids is headed in the direction of full electric. Hybrids could happen
As to the supercharger angle, that would be more evolution than gamechanger, much like widespread use of carbon fibre to reduce weight if it became cost effective. We've already been there with turbos in the 80's, and that could also probably be revisited and be more workable now with modern technology.
I think forced induction will become more common but is more likely to be fitted for enviromental reasons to give smaller engines enough grunt to attract more buyers whilst giving mpg figures that make the authorities happier and pass Euro15. There is talk that forced induction might give a 600 the performance of a 1000cc sportsbike but nobody is buying 600s. Is there likely to be a will for massive amounts of R&D etc to be diverted back to mid-sized bikes when the large bikes are selling well thank you very much? The H2 proves it is a pointless exercise on litre bikes. I can see forced induction on Burgmanns and ER6s as most likely applications
Hybrids is headed in the direction of full electric. Hybrids could happen
Kneedragger95 said:
I think Forced Induction could well become the norm in the next decade. We're already seeing Kawasaki pushing supercharging with their H2 series of bikes.
Energy recovery systems are also another good shout, these would have to become a lot more compact and lighter though for it to really take off.
I wonder if we'll begin to see these technologies in MotoGP in the near future?
There is supposed to be electric racing at MotoGP events from 2019. Capirossi is testing, one make series with Energica .Energy recovery systems are also another good shout, these would have to become a lot more compact and lighter though for it to really take off.
I wonder if we'll begin to see these technologies in MotoGP in the near future?
srob said:
Electronics have been the only real game changer. Pretty much everything else has just been a function of improved manufacturing methods and materials, mixed with easier ways to analyse and design and clever marketing.
The only properly 'new' thing that would have changed the game (had it carried on) would've been the rotary engine.
Everything else is just Slight refinement, nothing new design wise.
Totally disagree with this.The only properly 'new' thing that would have changed the game (had it carried on) would've been the rotary engine.
Everything else is just Slight refinement, nothing new design wise.
Monocoque chassis, engines as stressed members, latest Ducati that barely has a frame.
These aren't the result of slight refinements over the pressed steel frames or cradle steel frames of yesteryear.
LuS1fer said:
In my obviously longer life, the CB750F and the Gold Wing GL1000 were gamechangers.
This isn't really about the bikes specifically, but the technological changes they represented.So the C50 is irrelevant too
The original slabbie GSXR would be relevant in that it marked a point where major consideration was given to weight reduction and distribution. But the FireBlade is the start of what exists now.
Edited by cmaguire on Sunday 21st January 16:23
poo at Paul's said:
1998 R1 was a game changer too.
More power, more electrics, yes, but it think the "development" is going to come from ancilliariy systems and parts, like tyres, electronic suspension, (active??), seemless gboxes, auto braking, radar cruise, aero and mass damper tech.
Ultimately the stacked gearbox is the main talking point on that though, the bike represents a marked step forward in performance/capability but I would say that is only a refinement of the ethos that the FireBlade set.More power, more electrics, yes, but it think the "development" is going to come from ancilliariy systems and parts, like tyres, electronic suspension, (active??), seemless gboxes, auto braking, radar cruise, aero and mass damper tech.
It is a standout bike though
Zoot_C said:
I'm baffled why the Ducati 916 didn't get a mention. That changed the world of litre superbikes forever.
I'm a bit 'me' about the Ducati V4 as of yet. I will wait for the homologation version as usual.
but, well..
https://youtu.be/S0JYB4aI3-c
Changed the world of 750s more like. By cheating. But that's par for the course. Cue the V4 already mentioned, although the cheating is at least only on the road now.I'm a bit 'me' about the Ducati V4 as of yet. I will wait for the homologation version as usual.
but, well..
https://youtu.be/S0JYB4aI3-c
Zoot_C said:
Hey. I'm not about to get into a pissing contest seeing as I only just arrived here ( never knew PH had a bikes section and I'm pretty blasé about my cars ) so you see it how you see it. Enjoy your riding 
I'm only stating facts and my dick is still in my trousers.If this were about purely standout bikes then the 916 would have to qualify.
srob said:
cmaguire said:
Totally disagree with this.
Monocoque chassis, engines as stressed members, latest Ducati that barely has a frame.
These aren't the result of slight refinements over the pressed steel frames or cradle steel frames of yesteryear.
Really?Monocoque chassis, engines as stressed members, latest Ducati that barely has a frame.
These aren't the result of slight refinements over the pressed steel frames or cradle steel frames of yesteryear.
1921 Neracar, complete with monocoque frame:
Engines as a stressed member is almost as old as motorcycling. Bradbury had frame tubes cast into the engine in the 1900s.
P&M (later to become Panther) from the 1920s:
Vincent frame:
What is relevant and important in my opinion is where those choices have been made and the result has been a significant performance advantage over what went before, with the result that what comes after is then influenced by that choice. Alloy beam frames for example.
Srob, feel free to say what you think were previous gamechangers. I only mentioned a couple of bikes specifically (particularly the FireBlade as I would say that is still the most influential bike in my lifetime so far) because my thoughts were more about what is next rather than what came before.
Somewhere along the line telescopic front suspension in its current guise would likely be an obvious one
Somewhere along the line telescopic front suspension in its current guise would likely be an obvious one
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