| Author | Message | ||
     Strato9r |
I'm wondering if, now that the platform has been established for the new liquid cooled engine, whether future development of the air cooled engine will be applied to the Rotax based package. Admittedly, such an engine would indeed make less peak horsepower, but would be much lighter than the existing air cooled engines, and benefit with the presence of the six speed gearbox, slipper clutch, and lightweight rotating assembly of the new engine. BMW is getting around 120hp out of an oilhead in the R1200S, and, with the new Buell engine being an up to date, modern design, I cant imagine that an air cooled Helicon would not be able to easily, and dependably make similar numbers. Knock off the weight and mass of a cooling system, and suddenly, the idea of an even lighter, 120 HP, six speed Lightning seems like it could be very interesting.......... | ||
| Elvis |
Interesting question, but are there any better performing air-cooled engines . . . in the World than the one in the XBRR? Just like it wouldn't make sense to go to Harley for a light weight, water-cooled V-Twin, it wouldn't seem to make sense for Buell to go to Rotax for an Engine that Buell currently makes but Rotax doesn't. It would be interesting to know (though Buell won't comment on future projects) if anyone at Buell or Harley is doing any work on some alternative valve designs to the push-rods, but I'd be surprised if any air-cooled work is or will be done outside of Wisconsin. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'm hoping thats the second river from the Helicon spring! And for exactly the reasons you quote... no radiators, super light (think an XB9SX lighter then an SV-650), and 100 honest RWHP. That'd be one heck of a street bike right there... | ||
| Metalstorm |
That would be cool but I doubt it would be a 45 degree twin. I still want to see the XBRR motor tuned for street use. I might be a bit biased. I am totally in lust with the 1125R and want one bad (two years to wait ARRRRRGGGG!!!!)but when it comes to air cooled, I like the thump thump thump of of the 45 degree twin. Of course if they offered a new air cooled helicon based engine as an option or on a specific new model that would be very cool. | ||
| Strato9r |
Gotta agree on wanting to see a street version of an XBRR; for the same reason I always wanted to see a light, nimble street version of an XR750. It makes me shiver every time I think of the astonishing amount of innovation and refinement the RR engine has successfully incorporated into an engine design who's roots are so deep and time proven. I love the 45 degree motor because it it a thing of beauty in every visceral sense. The Ducati engine, with it's adherance to their 90 degree engine tradition, as well as the BMW Boxers, are also testament to pure, eloquent design that dictates the form of the machine built around it. I'm sure all of us have purchased the October issue of Cycle World by now, and have read Kevin Cameron's great article on the 1125R. I f*cking love that bike, period. But, check pages 68-71; the BMW HP2 Megamoto. IMHO, that is the sexiest, purest Beemer I've ever seen. It might be because I have a thing for Bavarian hotties, but I think I like it more than the Duc Hypermotard, also a stunner with an air cooled engine. The Lightning TT? same idea; traditional engine design wrapped up in a handsome, no nonsense machine. All three of these bikes are proof that air cooled engine technology is far from dead, and can still push modern tire design to it's limits, and look great doing it. But, as great as the Sportster based engine was, is, and will always be, the investment in a new engine platform has been made. Obviously, there has been a tremendous effort made to come up with something with great potential for growth and refinement in the design of the Helicon. So, now that a design is in place that has no need for vibration absorbing engine mounts, has greatly reduced rotating mass on a stronger crankshaft, slipper clutch, smooth six speed gearbox, and weighs less doing it than the traditional powerplant, even WITH all the liquid cooling system, what WILL happen? If anyone in the world knows how to design high powered air cooled engines, it's Rotax. If anyone in the world knows the importance of lightweight and simplicity in motorcycle design, it's Erik Buell. I suppose it will depend on H-D's future involvement with Buell as well, but wouldn't it be ironic if years from now, the Sportster was powered by an air cooled Helicon-based engine? | ||
| Slaughter |
OK now, which one of us is going to quote Anonymous here as saying:
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| Glitch |
read Elvis above... (though Buell won't comment on future projects) | ||
| Bonjoxb12s |
I think you see a better chance of getting the V-Rod engine in a Harley then you do a Buell engine. Looking at their trends, you dont see a lot of parts/products that are shared by the two companies. On the other hand, I think the sporty would benefit from a helicon system, and would help take the persona off the sporty as being a woman's bike. (I'm imagining the new nightster with a nice 100 horse helicon...mmmmmmm) | ||
| Strato9r |
Well..... that Helicon is not an unattractive engine as it is. With a nice layout of cooling fins, and a trick, exposed belt drive setup driving the camshafts, it would look downright wicked. While I'm at it, lets give it a three valve cylinder head with a single exhaust valve to keep heat manageable within it's 8500RPM rev limit. THEN, put this low vibration little terror into a lightweight tube frame and release the true XR-style bike that H-D will never release; as a Buell........ |
