Interesting motorcycles, not XS650

[Adamc]

Most manufacturers are building parallel twins as they are easier and cheaper to produce, and get through emissions regulation; One block, one cylinder head and one intake system etc = cheaper & more affordable for so called middle weight bikes (700 to 1000cc). The big superbikes are all complicated +1000cc machines with more electronics and aerodynamic additions than any of us mere mortals can use. And are only for the large wallet holders.
I’m excited that Honda are willing to produce a new multi-cylinder V engine. Remember they have a history of V type engines over the years. Dominant V5 in the GP early years, many V4 in Superbikes etc. and even V3 two stroke race bikes for the road (NSR250 /400). I hope they put it in a good sports chassis first and develop it from there.

 

[Jim]

The ideahas been around for a while. You have been able to buy one off ebay or amazon for a long time, but they were really more of an intake restriction.

I remember seeing a roots style that had 3 or 4 starter motors powering it. It was supposed to work well, for about long enough to do a 1/4 mile pass.

Newer brushless motors and speed controllers make it more viable, but like pointed out above you'll need a stout enough charging system that you'll put more drag on the motor. If it takes Xhp to spin a blower, that's what it takes either off the engine or an electric motor has to provide. Now generating electricty is full of losses, so to not drain the battery you'll end up losing the same if not more power to keep up.

It's not really as bad as it sounds, and granted, it sounds bad. I looked at one the other day that pulled almost 30A at full boost, but.... how often would you use full boost? Most of the time boost will be much lower... and even more time with no boost. I know very little about these aftermarket ones but common sense tells me at very little boost (say a half psi or so) that current draw is down to maybe 5-10Amps... well within the means of your average alternator. So yeah, you'll need a strong battery to handle peak loads, but on average very little power would be needed. Add to that, during decel and light loads the alternator is recovering energy back to the battery, ready for the next full boost blast. So the charging system doesn't need to be as robust as you'd initially think.
I still think this'll be the future of boosted engines.... formula 1 and indy race cars excepted.

 

[zrx1100]

upgrade to LED lighting and use the rest of the power for the electric turbo

 

[Zonie]

While at the bike dealer today…

View attachment 338917View attachment 338918

That is beautiful.

 

[zrx1100]

upgrade to LED lighting and use the rest of the power for the electric turbo

Seriousely, though, up to half the output of the generator can go to lighting with the headlight (~50W), the rear/stop (8/27W), flasher (27W X 2) and idiot lights ~16W. The generator outputs ~140W at 2K rpm and (14V x 16A) = 220 W at 5K. if everything is converted to LEDs, the power consumption should reduce by 60-70%. so at 5K rpm with the headlight, rear indicator, idiot lights the power output budget would be 220W - (50+8+16)*0.35 = 195W. the ignition should not consume much, so indeed 10+ amps should be available

 

[Jim]

I suspect the 30A one I looked at was more gimmick than actually helpful.
Look at it another way...
1HP = 750W. 750 div by 14V = about 55amps.
So, for every horsepower the compressor pulls at max boost, we need 55A of battery capacity.
To take that any further, we need to know how many HP it takes to spin the damn thing. I got no answer for that, but I'd suspect somewhere in the 3-5hp range. In other words, a whole shitload of current. But as I said before, that's just at max boost. Normal use would be considerable less.

 

[zrx1100]

i am just trying to convince @Ratranger to put one on to see what it would do . He will have electronic fuel injection and ignition, so wide range of control to get the best out of the bike,

 

[member31095]

Now this is one interesting motorcycle! 300cc of shoot you straight up whatever you think you can make it up

 

[Melnic]

Most manufacturers are building parallel twins as they are easier and cheaper to produce, and get through emissions regulation; One block, one cylinder head and one intake system etc = cheaper & more affordable for so called middle weight bikes (700 to 1000cc). The big superbikes are all complicated +1000cc machines with more electronics and aerodynamic additions than any of us mere mortals can use. And are only for the large wallet holders.
I’m excited that Honda are willing to produce a new multi-cylinder V engine. Remember they have a history of V type engines over the years. Dominant V5 in the GP early years, many V4 in Superbikes etc. and even V3 two stroke race bikes for the road (NSR250 /400). I hope they put it in a good sports chassis first and develop it from there.

Does the 4cyl ST1100/1300 come into that category V type engines?

 

[Kevin Werner]

Now this is one interesting motorcycle! 300cc of shoot you straight up whatever you think you can make it up
View attachment 339231

Up, over, through, down, and back up again...

 

[member31095]

Up, over, through, down, and back up again...

Whatever it takes

 

[ssjody]

Up until this past weekend I'd never heard of a Harley Rocker. It was local, it was a great deal, and now it's in my stable!

 

[John Regular]

I remember that one, I think it came out right at the end of the "pro street" chopper look ( low and long with a bit for a rake?) My brother in laws family were big into that (the choppers) I think I remember it getting good reviews, how does that one ride?

 

[ssjody]

I think I remember it getting good reviews, how does that one ride?

I've only got about 15 miles on it so far but it was a really good ride. I love the hard tail look with a soft tail ride! Harley did a good job on this one. I'm really surprised that it was only a 3 year run for the Rocker. Might have had something to do with the recession back then. This one only has 3,078 miles on it. I'm gonna go through and freshen it up over the winter and ride the wheels off of it come spring time!

 

[Mailman]

Up until this past weekend I'd never heard of a Harley Rocker. It was local, it was a great deal, and now it's in my stable!
View attachment 339311
View attachment 339312

That looks like a real ripper! Congratulations, beautiful bike!

 

[ssjody]

I will have to say that coming from a world where I've never ridden a chopper that it's a learning curve to ride this bike. Not like I need a training course or anything just different. By the time I made it home I was already used to the feel.

 

[ssjody]

I will add too that this is the best deal I've ever got on a bike. I went to look at it with the intension to just learn about this bike cause I'd never seen one, but it was one of those "deal of a lifetime" that I just couldn't say no. I know, I have a problem.

 

[John Regular]

I've only got about 15 miles on it so far but it was a really good ride. I love the hard tail look with a soft tail ride! Harley did a good job on this one. I'm really surprised that it was only a 3 year run for the Rocker. Might have had something to do with the recession back then. This one only has 3,078 miles on it. I'm gonna go through and freshen it up over the winter and ride the wheels off of it come spring time!

I've heard that Harley always kills off their best models FXR being one of them. On the big twins that I have been interested in there seemed to always be one thing on them that was ugly or just off that I would have changed. That's what Harley owners do though, spend an outrageous amount on a bike even more to change it, then brag about it.

 

[46th Georgia]

I will have to say that coming from a world where I've never ridden a chopper that it's a learning curve to ride this bike. Not like I need a training course or anything just different. By the time I made it home I was already used to the feel.

First thing to remember is that big ol'fat rear tire likes to bully that skinny front tire, they like to go straight more than around corners. Also they don't stop as well as, say my 2014 Indian Chieftain. Ask me how I know. Anyway, as long as you keep these things in mind, they're a hoot. Those later twin cams with the six speed were the 2nd best engines H-D ever produced IMHO. Th one drawback to the later T-C's is the self adjusting primary chain. If you ride it hard it may over tighten the chain causing early compensator wear. It's the only flaw I've ever heard of on them. Enjoy!

 

[Kevin Werner]

I know, I have a problem.

IT IS NOT A PROBLEM...