Data wrote: If the new Honda has a 5mm offset cylinder design, then it'll be considered a virtually new engine, but based on the older version. Ok so there would be no need to redesign some components from an older engine but to take advantage of the offset design fully, new parts will be needed, and it will have completely new engine crankcases, and from what Honda are saying it has very different cams, rockers, and probably valves, piston & rings etc. I note plain bearing in the bottom end. Don't know if the old engine had those. Nice design though and virtually all new petrol engines will be offset design within five years.

Please define 'offset design' in simple terms for us simpletons.......

StephenC wrote: Or it may be that the next Sh300 will get this engine? That would make economic sense.

Especially since I read "well established sh300" as meaning the "now quite old Sh300"

Yes...would make sense. Makes no sense to have to have two very similar but different engines.

MrGrumpy wrote:Please define 'offset design' in simple terms for us simpletons.......

Normally the crankshaft runs perpizontally.
In an offset engine the dangle is shifted vertidicularly.

And if your lucky you get heavy wear on your oscillating fornication piston

gn2 wrote:

MrGrumpy wrote:Please define 'offset design' in simple terms for us simpletons.......

Normally the crankshaft runs perpizontally.
In an offset engine the dangle is shifted vertidicularly.

Yes...you are right!

I'll post a picture of an offset engine...when I've found it. Hang on! Offset engines give can give more power, more torque, less engine wear, more mpg's. Also a smoother turbine like run up the rev range. It's a win win all the way.

gn2 wrote:

MrGrumpy wrote:Please define 'offset design' in simple terms for us simpletons.......

Normally the crankshaft runs perpizontally.
In an offset engine the dangle is shifted vertidicularly.

Not the clearest description I've come across! Kind of a bit like the Yamaha R1 Crossplane crank? (only this is a single not a 4 in line)

Bluebottle wrote:And if your lucky you get heavy wear on your oscillating fornication piston

I thought it was the flux capacitator..

MrGrumpy wrote:

Data wrote: If the new Honda has a 5mm offset cylinder design, then it'll be considered a virtually new engine, but based on the older version. Ok so there would be no need to redesign some components from an older engine but to take advantage of the offset design fully, new parts will be needed, and it will have completely new engine crankcases, and from what Honda are saying it has very different cams, rockers, and probably valves, piston & rings etc. I note plain bearing in the bottom end. Don't know if the old engine had those. Nice design though and virtually all new petrol engines will be offset design within five years.

Please define 'offset design' in simple terms for us simpletons.......

Grumpy, I don't think you are a simpleton. It's all relatively new stuff though so not many people out of the engine engineering world have heard of it. Here it is...rough diagram which gives a clue to how it works.
The beauty of the offset cylinder design is that it reduces pumping losses, cylinder wear, bearing wear (from friction, unequal thrust, other inefficient use of internal thrust) and can improve power output and miles per gallon. Force is applied directly where it's needed at the point of maximum efficiency in the crankshaft cycle. This type of engine delivers better pick up and overal torque is better or can be tuned to be better than standard inline cylinder designs. These are some of the new engines we have all been waiting for. Should have a very very long life. Pistons won't wear as oval like they do now so will maintain power and efficiency for longer and stay within emission laws for much longer.

Just got this 20 minutes ago

Dear Terry

We have been advised that we will have our demo around the first/second week of August.

The bike is going to be in fairly short supply initially. We will contact you at the beginning of August to book a time for the test ride.

Think I'm going to get one of these if the seat height is as low as some have said...it would suit my stumpy little legs...If not I'm going back to a 3 wheeler

To give you some idea of how low, the Forza is listed as 716mm and its little cousin the PCX has a seat height of 761mm
So in real money that works out at two inches lower than a PCX.