| Author | Message | ||
     Jaimec |
Just read this at Motorcycle Daily: http://motorcycledaily.com/28july06_bigtwins.htm Gonna get interesting out there... Buell will have to keep up somehow, I'd think... | ||
| Sgthigg |
Only if they add another pair of valves in each head. | ||
| Jaimec |
Ya know, back in the heydays of the BMW airheads, there were a number of four-valve conversion kits for those old pushrod flat twins. I'm surprised no enterprising Harley/Buell aficionado hasn't come up with a similar conversion for the Buell engine by now. Instead, rather than getting the engine to breathe better, they just make 'em bigger... | ||
| Diablobrian |
It's because the web between the exhaust valves burns and cracks on 4 valve Buell heads. It has been tried. I talked to Erik about 3 valve heads (2 intake, 1 exhaust) at homecoming, and he said that they had played with the idea, but that the added complexity and mass was not worth the minimal return on the effort. | ||
| Jaimec |
So we're talking about a complete, clean-slate motor in order to be truly competitive? What're the odds of that happening? I suspect the old Sportster platform has been taken just about as far as it can. | ||
| Diablobrian |
I don't know what the Elves have in the works, but they are usually so tight lipped about what's going on that no one really knows until it's unveiled as a new model. There are surprisingly few spy pics considering the testing that is done. | ||
| Kuuud |
The 'lump' has been around since '54 (as a flathead)and the old Sportster platform has been taken just about as far as it can has been stated probably every year since then! Bret | ||
| Kuuud |
and how about this from the same site...gotta love the exhaust!!! Guess we'll have to wait til next year for the similar 650cc Blast-ard! http://www.motorcycledaily.com/26july06_kawasaki2007versys.htm Bret | ||
| Buellshyter |
I could have designed that Kawasaki with my eyes gouged out. | ||
| Diablobrian |
That Kawi was a no-brainer as hot as the adventure market is right now. another "parts bin bike". | ||
| Vonsliek |
read in mcn - uk paper - ktm rc8 is abt read for production & has already bested times by k6 gsxr1000 .. it has over 150 rwhp & is 1150cc .. it looks like satan's personal sportbike & i will facking LOVE to have one .. maybe my next twin? keep yer eyes peeled peeps | ||
| Lenb |
Ya know, back in the heydays of the BMW airheads, there were a number of four-valve conversion kits for those old pushrod flat twins. I'm surprised no enterprising Harley/Buell aficionado hasn't come up with a similar conversion for the Buell engine by now. Instead, rather than getting the engine to breathe better, they just make 'em bigger... The XB12 engine already breathes as well as it can for its rev-range. Higher flow heads are useful if you want higher revs and horsepower but as the Buell already makes peak power at the redline there's just no way better breathing can be utilized. The XB9 engine however could perhaps benefit from 4 valve heads as the shorter stroke should theoretically allow an 8500rpm redline. However, even with the added complexity it would still be no faster than the XB12 (which is the same size and almost the same weight as the current XB9) - so what would be the point? |
