Can an inline 4 engined bike be made to behave more like a V-twin engined bike?

[Tigadee]

I know that the inline 4 will have more top-end power and needs to be revved really high in order to get moving, and I did enjoy the Zeal which had such an engine but I found riding it a chore when in town. It never really moved smoothly on busy/slow roads and only seemed happy on the motorway - which suited me fine most of the time since I commuted to work mostly on motorways.

Now, if I were to buy another inline 4 bike, I'd like one that behaved like a torquey V-twin about town and then like a bullet when on the motorway. Is there such a beast?

If not, is there a way to make one [e.g. a Hornet 250] more like a town bike while being OK to good for motorway travel. I travel within the speed limit so there's no need for the Hornet to go 180kph...

[quickbuck]

I know that the inline 4 will have more top-end power and needs to be revved really high in order to get moving, and I did enjoy the Zeal which had such an engine but I found riding it a chore when in town. It never really moved smoothly on busy/slow roads and only seemed happy on the motorway - which suited me fine most of the time since I commuted to work mostly on motorways.

Now, if I were to buy another inline 4 bike, I'd like one that behaved like a torquey V-twin about town and then like a bullet when on the motorway. Is there such a beast?

If not, is there a way to make one [e.g. a Hornet 250] more like a town bike while being OK to good for motorway travel. I travel within the speed limit so there's no need for the Hornet to go 180kph...

Isn't that the whole point of the Flat Plain Crank (Big Bang, some call it....) Yamaha R1?

To get that out of a Hornet, will mean too many mods to make it worth it.... Just get a VFR... OR, you could try putting a VFR motor in the Hornet?

In the old days, you put a 4 into 2 into 1 header set on for low down torque, or 4 into 1 for top end power... (Or was somebody feeding me a line??)

[sil3nt]

The hornet 250 is already tuned for more bottom end compared to the CBR 250R(R) that shares the same engine. I would be very surprised if a hornet was terrible around town. I would say it needs a good service if not smooth around town.

[mattian]

Most of your naked Street bikes are tuned for grunty around town riding, and still quick on the open road. Sure, not as quick on the open road as your sport bikes, but how fast do you really need to go? the speed limits only 100 remember

[nzspokes]

Just rev it harder.

[avgas]

Yep. Easiest way is to down gear it (add a tooth on the back etc).
If you wanted more you could get a 4into4 system. Allows for quicker responses (marginally).
If you wanted a twin sound you would go 2 into 2.
Crossplane the crank.

Or you could just buy a twin.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I know that the inline 4 will have more top-end power and needs to be revved really high in order to get moving, and I did enjoy the Zeal which had such an engine but I found riding it a chore when in town. It never really moved smoothly on busy/slow roads and only seemed happy on the motorway - which suited me fine most of the time since I commuted to work mostly on motorways.

Now, if I were to buy another inline 4 bike, I'd like one that behaved like a torquey V-twin about town and then like a bullet when on the motorway. Is there such a beast?

If not, is there a way to make one [e.g. a Hornet 250] more like a town bike while being OK to good for motorway travel. I travel within the speed limit so there's no need for the Hornet to go 180kph...

crossplane crank R1

sorted.

[FJRider]

Isn't that the whole point of the Flat Plain Crank (Big Bang, some call it....) Yamaha R1?

To get that out of a Hornet, will mean too many mods to make it worth it.... Just get a VFR... OR, you could try putting a VFR motor in the Hornet?

In the old days, you put a 4 into 2 into 1 header set on for low down torque, or 4 into 1 for top end power... (Or was somebody feeding me a line??)

The whole idea of the different style engines ... was for a different intended style of riding ... wasn't it ... ??? Better to have TWO BIKES ...

I have heard of fours converted to the "big bang" twins firing order ... but as you say ... a lot of work/money to achieve ???

[James Deuce]

The real advice: Stop obsessing about making a 250 better and wait for your license to mature. Then go and buy something that fits the bill.

ANY attempted modification process entered into to get the performance you are talking about will require so much money that you may as well go out and burn a couple of thousand dollars. It will be less expensive in the long run. Including making other engines fit the Hornet 250's chassis.

[James Deuce]

In the old days, you put a 4 into 2 into 1 header set on for low down torque, or 4 into 1 for top end power... (Or was somebody feeding me a line??)

Someone was feeding you a line. All aftermarket exhaust "systems" result in reduced performance unless every aspect of "suck, bang, blow" is addressed to match the potential gains of improving exhaust performance.

[jrandom]

The real advice: Stop obsessing about making a 250 better and wait for your license to mature. Then go and buy something that fits the bill.

What he said.

[ducatilover]

Isn't that the whole point of the Flat Plain Crank (Big Bang, some call it....) Yamaha R1?

Flat plane is what your CBR600 has and so do the majority of 2/4/8 cylinders The R1 is a cross plane crank.

To get a 4cyl acting like a twin, you'd need to either, get really boring cam profiles (not ones designed for 16,000+rpm) and probably go with a big bang set up. Would cost a wee bit, have looked in to the idea myself for a laugh and seems if you have wasted spark ignition it's a matter of having the cams made to sync cylinders 1-4 and 2-3 together.

I'd love to try it on a small motor, just because.

[Tigadee]

Thanks everyone, you've pulled me from the abyss...

I shall wait for my full and then hunt for something appropriate riding-style-wise and suitable physically [as most if not all of these naked/sport 250s are too small for me, even the Hornet 250]. Luckily my Kymco Venox aka Honda Magna will do me fine, as well as the Scorpio while I still have it...

[avgas]

Someone was feeding you a line. All aftermarket exhaust "systems" result in reduced performance unless every aspect of "suck, bang, blow" is addressed to match the potential gains of improving exhaust performance.

Actually the weight savings alone on some pipes made a huge difference.
Many XS, GS, Goldwing, Z1 and other owners can attest to that fact.
I remember reading somewhere that on the Moriwaki Z they saved 4kgs just in the exhaust. Likewise the the old XS850 would handle corners much better when you went 3 into 1 rather than 2+1 into 2.

Not to mention how starved some of the standard exhaust systems are. My poor GB had an outlet smaller than the carbs inlet. Sure HP wise would not have made a major diff.......but you gotta wonder if that bottleneck helps or hinders?

[quickbuck]

Flat plane is what your CBR600 has and so do the majority of 2/4/8 cylinders The R1 is a cross plane crank.

Sh!t... That was a BAD spelling mistake!
That's what i meant.