Crighton CR700W: New Rotary Engine Track Bike

[FriskyDingo]

Crighton CR700W motorcycle brings the rotary engine back into production ($116,000 )
https://www.autoblog.com/2021/11/02/...ry-motorcycle/

The automotive world hasn't seen a rotary engine in production since the Mazda RX-8 was axed in 2012. However, the Crighton CR700W is bringing it back in spectacular fashion in a machine billed as the "ultimate track bike."

In fact, the engine claims to have one of the highest specific power outputs of any naturally aspirated engine in the world. The dual-rotor mill displaces just 690cc, but generates 220 horsepower at 10,500 rpm (and 105 lb-ft at 9,500 rpm), which translates to 319 horsepower per liter. By comparison, the company says, most MotoGP race bikes make around 300 hp.

There are many advantages to a rotary engine. For one, it's extremely compact and needs fewer parts than a conventional piston motor, and the one in the Crighton is comprised of just three moving parts. Due to its simplicity, the entire assembly weighs just 53 pounds. Even with its six-speed gearbox attached, the unit comes in at just 95 pounds.

Combined with a Spondon-derived chassis made from 7000-series aluminum alloy and Dymag carbon fiber wheels, the entire CR700W weighs just 285 pounds. Even a Ducati Superleggera V4 tips the scales at 336 pounds, and it beats even the supercharged Kawasaki H2R in power per pound.

Obviously INSANE price, but pretty cool tech

[number9]

In fact, the engine claims to have one of the highest specific power outputs of any naturally aspirated engine in the world. The dual-rotor mill displaces just 690cc, but generates 220 horsepower at 10,500 rpm (and 105 lb-ft at 9,500 rpm), which translates to 319 horsepower per liter. By comparison, the company says, most MotoGP race bikes make around 300 hp.

Comparing hp/L of a rotary engine and a piston engine is pretty dubious.

Rotaries are cool, though!

[jimmycapp]

Damn that's nasty.

[obsolete]

Comparing hp/L of a rotary engine and a piston engine is pretty dubious.

Rotaries are cool, though!

Agreed, I always kinda thought that each side of the rotor should be counted as a piston in comparative situations.

She'll be even lighter when she coughs out the apex seals.

[OreoGaborio]

Friggin rad.

... wouldn't want the upkeep though.

[capitalcrew]

Friggin rad.

... wouldn't want the upkeep though.

The upkeep is probably exactly the same as any other bike. Bikes don't see the miles that cars do, and rotaries tend to get about 100-120k miles before they have an issue assuming everything is properly cared for.

Basically change the oil, use the right oil, keep up with plug changes, and it'll be fine. It'll have less issues being NA than FI, which is where the rx7s found most of their problems.

[Stoneman]

Not that it matters with a track bike, but isn't fuel consumption the biggest problem with rotaries? GM had planned to turn the Corvette to a twin rotary for 1984, but they couldn't meet the new fuel economy standards.

Oh, and holy fuck it looks & sounds so fuckin' HAWT! And only $119K!

[capitalcrew]

Fuel consumption isn't "great". My twin turbo 13b, modified, gets about 23 highway not driving reasonably at all. I think i only got about 10 mpg average around the tail of the Dragon. Lol.

[feralchimp]

I'm glad this got built, even if I'm super-cool with never even remotely considering owning it, regardless of my future financial situation.

[xrocket21]

Fuel consumption isn't "great". My twin turbo 13b, modified, gets about 23 highway not driving reasonably at all. I think i only got about 10 mpg average around the tail of the Dragon. Lol.

I think I got 18ish with my 450 wheel horsepower Subaru, 1-2 mpg on the track. (Plus the meth injection)

[butcher bergs]

She'll be even lighter when she coughs out the apex seals.

I'm wondering if they used a traditional Wankel design or some iteration of a design made by a company called Liquid Piston.

https://www.liquidpiston.com/how-it-works

[capitalcrew]

I'm wondering if they used a traditional Wankel design or some iteration of a design made by a company called Liquid Piston.

https://www.liquidpiston.com/how-it-works

Was wondering this too. I really hope it's the liquid piston design. I very selfishly want to see how well it works irl

[PurplePackage]

old is new again. i bet it still burns oil.