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

[hayd3n]

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.

you can fit a vtr 1000cc motor in a 600/900 hornet frame

The chassis has the measure of the opposition, too. The frame is almost identical to the Hornet 600's, with a little extra strengthening. Interestingly, in a move that will allow Honda greater flexibility in deciding its model line-up, the spine frame is designed to accept a wide range of engines with only a modification to the front mounting rail. It was pointed out, without any direct suggestion that this will actually happen, that the VTR1000 engine would fit straight in. As would the SP1 superbike motor; enterprising specials builders should take note

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/...ou-a-buzz.html
and also a

cbr900rr engine

[raziel1983]

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...

GSX1400 or Bandit 1250 are ALL about bottom end, and a smooth one at that.

[Tigadee]

Thanks, will look into them when on full license...

[slofox]

Thanks, will look into them when on full license...

The K8 (and later) Gixxer six has plenty of torque from 6k upwards. I use mine to commute on quite happily. It'll idle along at 4k round town without squaring up the bearings. Tractible as a pussycat. Oh and it'll rev it's nuts off on the highway as well of course if you want it to. Not that I'd ever do anything naughty you unnerstand....

Coming from an SVS to the gixxer was the best swap I ever made.

[Drew]

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.

I gotta disagree on that one.

The first of the big block Suzuki Bandits, were advertised by Suzuki to get a 10-15% increase in power, and a massive torque jump by sinply fitting a pipe. No other mods required. One of the few bikes on the market, where owners would swear it wasn't the same bike after the can was swapped.

No the norm though.

[Drew]

Big bang can be achieved on a standard crank by have cams made. As "big bang" is actually two cylinders firing at the same time. Cross plane needs a crank and cams made.

It's a waste of time though, just wait till your allowed and buy something that fits your style.

[yachtie10]

Thanks, will look into them when on full license...

if you get on with it i will have one for sale in a few weeks

[otter]

When you get a bigger bike (for example ZX6RR which is apparently highly strung). The low down power doesn't matter so much since there's still plenty for town riding. In town I rarely get my revs above 5000 (red line at 15500) because there's no need. On the motorway, if you're doing 100kmph you don't need to go over 5000RPMish in 6th gear and you can just putt along just fine, with more power than the average car too.

[Tigadee]

Well, I guess most inline 4s are high strung? I tried out a Hornet yesterday and it behaved much like the Zeal, just a light twist of the throttle and it jerked forward, AND howled like a mad banshee!

Mind you, maybe I'm just a poor rider! But I have no trouble getting smooth movements with the Scorpio and Venox though - one's a single and the other's a V-twin.

[Tigadee]

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.

What's you take on this? A 4 into 4?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-452744817.htm

What's this gonna perform like?

[GrayWolf]

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...

I'd completely agree with Mr Deuce. Wait for your license to mature. A serious option to consider for what you say you require would be the Yammie fazer FZ6R, I had one on loan while my bike was in the 'dock' and it was a very useful wee bike and a pleasure to ride....

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...highlight=FZ6R

[Tigadee]

Thanks, GW. I will wait till my 6F and consider a FZ6 or similar. I was looking at a 1992 Yamaha Radian 600 (with the XJ600 engine, I was told) and a beautiful 1992 Honda CB750 Nighthawk but the worry of parts made me drop them further down the wish list. I like that classic style of road bike...

[GrayWolf]

Thanks, GW. I will wait till my 6F and consider a FZ6 or similar. I was looking at a 1992 Yamaha Radian 600 (with the XJ600 engine, I was told) and a beautiful 1992 Honda CB750 Nighthawk but the worry of parts made me drop them further down the wish list. I like that classic style of road bike...

out of the two? and price right? I'd go the Radian.... It's based on the old XJ series motor, the XJ600 in its various forms (last was the diversion 600) have been seen to rack up 100,000+

[Dave-]

Having a laugh at the people that think you can just "put" a cross plane crank in an IL4.

What James Deuce said, wait for your full then buy whatever you want.

[ducatilover]

Having a laugh at the people that think you can just "put" a cross plane crank in an IL4.

What James Deuce said, wait for your full then buy whatever you want.

It could be done... with the right amount of money.