Suzuki 600cc turbo concept

[MrGrumpy]

Just saw this....

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-new ... 23873.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A 588cc parallel twin engine, with turbo? I wonder if it fits a Burger? Or is even based on a Burger engine? Sounds fun anyway.

[Brubaker]

The Japanese manufacturers brought out turbo motorcycles 30 or so years ago, the Honda CX 650 TC Turbo, Suzuki XN 85 Turbo, and the Yamaha XJ 650 LJ Turbo might jog the memory of some of the old git's on here. I remember they were all expensive and none of them were big sellers back then.

[MrGrumpy]

One would imagine that technology might have moved on a bit since then, though they don't seem very widely used. Interesting that Suzuki are claiming improvements in fuel economy rather than performance.

[gn2]

There's an XN85 for sale near me.....
Here it is: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1984-SUZUKI-X ... 3a86c752db" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Kawasaki also did a GPz 750 turbo which was slower than the normally aspirated 900

[johnp]

I remember the turbo bikes of the 80's and a guy near me still rides one every day

[Ferret]

had a gpz750 for a while it was fun,however i am quite sure that it wont be long before a lot more bikes have them as with all the electronics and fi they should work today ,just look at how many cars have them on smaller engines ,smart,citerion etc . IMHO however it would be easier to supercharge most maxis ,but not cost effective .

[gn2]

The gains a turbocharger gives to a motorcycle size engine package are just as easily gained from upping the cubes.
That's why they died out and its why they will not reappear.
I think the only new turbo bike we may see is a turbodiesel, but only after one wins some races.

[Bluebottle]

There is a potential mpg benefit from having a smaller turbocharged engine but only if the rider makes use of its advantages.

Both types of engine fill their cylinders to max capacity when there is a high power demand. When there is less demand the bigger engine still fills to capacity but the turbo doesn't. It effectively becomes a normally aspirated smaller engine. You could drive/ride it all day as a small economical engine if you wanted to, without ever turning the turbo on; you are in charge of when it gets used.

Unfortunately most people ride/drive with no finesse - using the throttle as an on/off switch and this negates the benefits of the turbo with the result that they see little benefit in economy. Their boost switch is always on so they may as well be using more cc's in a less complex engine (or a supercharger )

[Data]

Funny this subject has come up. This is my area. The Turbo's I've been working with last year are nothing like the turbo's of old. The reason they didn't work out in the '80's' was because the technology was not suitable for bikes. It made them dangerous as there was too much lag and then too much power and the rider would be off on his arse! Additionally, the cost was enormous compared to normally aspirated engines. However, the latest technology has solved all problems with turbos. No lag due to variable nozzle technology combined with variable vane, and good electronic control. Better materials and bearings. Reliability is proven in cars over the last three years. Supercharging is now a thing of the past because of it. Ok some super cars will still use superchargers for very special reasons, but for everyday use, it's turbo's that are the most exciting and cheaper thing. VAG is going turbo only, letting go it's Twin charged engine, one turbo and one supercharge, in favour of a single turbo using the latest tech.

In addition, petrol engines are now begining to use direct injection combined with the latest turbo's and this gives a huge performance increase accompanied by massive torque at super low revs. Combine this with offset cylinder design and you get amazing results. This all enables the turbo petrol engines to perform in a diesel like manner regarding delivery of torque at just 1300rpm, also giving a 50% boost in fuel economy over a normally aspirated petrol engine, and yet retains super performance and gives massive increases in bhp at higher revs. It's all amazing stuff and it's coming our way in bikes soon! It's already in many cars.

Edit: just getting a bit excited here!

[stollie]

Iremember the turbo bikes of the 80's too. A freinds farther has a CX500