Best engine configuration?

[LBD]

I prefer a twin because of the early delivery of useable torque.

That and for me it is the desmo valve action as a good engineering solution to excellent valve control

[McJim]

That and for me it is the desmo valve action as a good engineering solution to excellent valve control

Or you could eliminate valve float by making the valves smaller and having more of them...y'know - more moving parts = more that can go wrong = less reliability A bit like Jappas!

[warewolf]

Four stroke triples leave me cold. They sound weird, thay have none of the bottom of a well setup 4, none of the mid-range of decent twin of any config and run out of steam like a single at the top. Compared to either a 4 or twin of the same capacity of course.

You're a hard man to please, Jimbo.

And you've been sniffin' too much high-octane go-juice...

[caseye]

The V TWINS are winning, as always.

[Mikkel]

Dead right. We need to take the focus off the capacity of a petrol fired engine and replace it with a focus on limiting how many Mega Joules a bike can consume during a race. That would open things up significantly on both the motive power and energy source. Say 6-700 MJ for the top class, 400 for tier 2 and and 200 for the tiddlers.

But then it becomes a fight on aerodynamics instead. If you go twice as fast it'll require four times the energy to cover the same distance - due to wind resistance.

I prefer a twin because of the early delivery of useable torque. I bought my Ducati because it is cheaper to buy and maintain than a Hyosung 650. Japanese bikes were too exotic for me with lots of valves, injection, computer gadgets and stuff that would be great on the race track but impractical for day to day riding.

...

I get around fine with only 53hp. (and a sackful of torque )

Why not a thumper then? 53 hps is about what I get at the wheel for my 610 ccm single-cylinder motard. It crashes better than the Ducati, it's better on gravel and it's made in Italy too. Oh, and it has the added benefit of expanding your pain threshold on longer rides - unless you stand up all the time of course.

[98tls]

But then it becomes a fight on aerodynamics instead. If you go twice as fast it'll require four times the energy to cover the same distance - due to wind resistance.



Why not a thumper then? 53 hps is about what I get at the wheel for my 610 ccm single-cylinder motard. It crashes better than the Ducati, it's better on gravel and it's made in Italy too. Oh, and it has the added benefit of expanding your pain threshold on longer rides - unless you stand up all the time of course.

The second last time i saw you you could hardly stand up at all.

[Mikkel]

The second last time i saw you you could hardly stand up at all.

I'm amazed you were actually able to use your eyes at all at that point

[LBD]

Or you could eliminate valve float by making the valves smaller and having more of them...y'know - more moving parts = more that can go wrong = less reliability A bit like Jappas!

Desmo vales can still open quicker, stay open longer and then close quicker irrespective of the size and weight of a convential valve....

[Madmax]

I met one dude who new the engine number even witch aircraft it was in
(it gets that bad you can remember part numbers at times)
The old Napier Engines have been rebuild so many times no one knows
witch bits belong to witch
Have a look at some pics there are always a bunch of guys looking at the
engines (wonder why)

just for those interested this is a wright 3350
the PRTs and stuff have been blanked off
but still sounds good
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d4HQ8ZM_2k
they sound a bit different with the PRTs (3 of them,read turbo chargers/power recovery turbines)
on
maybe a small version for a bike would be cool
i know some model makers who could make one

Max

[Toaster]

I love the in-line four for sheer power but I must say I loved even more the torque and rumble of the big v-twin.

Oh and hi from the violence in Thailand too... its bloody crazy over here. One of the nuttiest places to ride a motorcycle in Bangkok, next to Rome.

Time to go find a beach and drink beer.