Big bang engines

[benVFR]

So all of MotoGP has switched over IIRC and now Ducati has just released their street V-4 with a big bang firing order..

Anyone think there is any possibility we will see this from one of the big-4 on a production sportbike anytime soon?

Say a big-bang GSX-R or Ninja?

Any reason it can't/shouldn't work on a streetbike? (Vibration? Durability?)

[SWEET_Z]

I don't think it would be worth it on a road bike. The only benefits come when riding 10/10ths right?

[benVFR]

Well the only benefit of making the current sportbikes as small as a little childs bicycle and having 150+ hp is riding 10/10ths too right?

If that is the direction we are going and the big bang firing order is faster on the track it seems natural.

[stoinkythepig]

I think the sole technical purpose of the "big bang" engine is to give the rear tire some extra time to recover between power pulses. Kevin Cameron did an article about this a few years ago. The tires lose some grip during each power stroke and if the next power stroke arrived before the tire recovered, a slide would start. No reason why this could not be used on the street. Might idle like Harley though...

[Tabby]

I have to wonder though. If MotoGP traction control is continued to be allowed, and it gets more sophisticated, as you would expect, wouldn't that make the need for a "Big Bang" engine, kind of moot? Maybe, if this turns out to be the case, the "Screamers" will return with a vengance. Like Kevin Cameron, I'll be watching curiously.

[stoinkythepig]

Originally posted by Tabby
I have to wonder though. If MotoGP traction control is continued to be allowed, and it gets more sophisticated, as you would expect, wouldn't that make the need for a "Big Bang" engine, kind of moot?

Traction control limits the amount of power you put down. Big Bang increases said power by altering the way its put down. Polar opposite ways to get the bike to hook up.

[Paul_E_D]

Good question. I'd have to assume the crappy idle and low rpm performance would make it undesireable on a streetbike. When I was at Laguna and heard the bikes start up, it sounded like they shouldn't even be able to run below 4-5K rpms. BAP BAP BAP BAP instead of purrrrrr if that makes any sense...

[SWEET_Z]

150 hp can be used everyday even if you are only using 8/10 of it. The different firing order is to make the tire slip then grip as opposed to somewhat slipping 100% of the time when on the edge of traction. I don't think it would make a difference unless your tires are on the edge of traction.

We may see it on a street bike. I don't know how an odd firing order would affect the reliability and low rpm ridability?

[LiononaLeash]

Ah yes, its the ol' trick of making the 4cylinders fire like a twin so you get that "free'ish" traction control effect on the power.

I wonder if I can get my TLR to run like that.

OH WAIT!!! IT DOES!!!!


And yeah... anything below 4k RPM it doesn't seem to like lots of throttle.


Now if I could get the thing to weigh less than a quarter ton(and I could use to lose about 50 lbs myself too hehe).

[benVFR]

I don't know about the 150hp thing.

ISTR having a funny reaction at the track.. I don't think I'd actually used full throttle all the way through the rev range in like a year.

I bet most of the time I ride around never using more then 50hp.

How about make it an option on the race reps.. if you're going to take them to the track or turn them into a racebike, etc... Kawasaki was offering the ZX-6RR they could easily have made that a big-banger cause probably no one rode it around on the street. 600s don't seem to need it anyway but you get the point.

[Paul_E_D]

I'm gonna go with the 50 HP number as to what you use on the street. That's why SVs and Ducatis make such good street bikes. They put down a lot of torque at and below 60 HP.

Now, I guess if you do regular top speed runs you could use more or all of the 150 ponies, but you won't have a license for long.

[ancosta]

Would a big bang I4 have the same engine braking characteristics as a twin?

Also is it not true that part of Ducati's V4 twin pulse approach was that they couldn't produce a twin that would be competitive, but the fact that it was firing each bank at once made it seem more 'ducati-like'?

[SmokennFasTT]

Originally posted by LiononaLeash
I wonder if I can get my TLR to run like that.

OH WAIT!!! IT DOES!!!!


And yeah... anything below 4k RPM it doesn't seem to like lots of throttle.

i got stuck on the highway last nite, they were repaveing i hate the RC at low RPMs nuttin like riden for 15mins at 5mph lol

Originally posted by LiononaLeash
Now if I could get the thing to weigh less than a quarter ton(and I could use to lose about 50 lbs myself too hehe).

haha