ÜberDoober
05-15-2008, 08:40 AM
Veddy interesting!
Don't know if anybody saw the pics of the Kawasaki motor posted over at Soup a few months ago but it looked damned strange and now this? Soup story and pics here (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Feb/080204b4.htm).
Kawasaki evaluates in-line five engine
By Michele Lostia and Simon Strang Thursday, May 15th 2008, 13:23 GMT
Kawasaki are considering building a brand new in-line five cylinder 800cc engine in an attempt to make them world championship contenders in time for the 2011 world championship.
The Japanese bike-makers are the only active manufacturer not to have won an event at Moto GP level, and are looking at several potential engine lay-outs to replace their current in-line four cylinder motor.
Kawasaki technical director, Ichiro Yoda, told Italian magazine Motosprint: "We are thinking of something different for the future: we are evaluating an in-line five cylinders. It's possible. Our engineering staff is evaluating the project.
"I don't understand why Honda went back to four cylinders with the 800cc. Honda dominated with the V5 because you can use smaller cylinders, you get less friction, and you can have more power.
Link to full story at Autosport.com here (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/67433)
If you haven't seen it, there's a video of the "screamer" motor Kawi is developing in this thread (http://www.dooberville.com/forums/showthread.php?t=452). The Autosport story says "in time for the 2011 world championship". Geez! :ack2:
Don't know if anybody saw the pics of the Kawasaki motor posted over at Soup a few months ago but it looked damned strange and now this? Soup story and pics here (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Feb/080204b4.htm).
Kawasaki evaluates in-line five engine
By Michele Lostia and Simon Strang Thursday, May 15th 2008, 13:23 GMT
Kawasaki are considering building a brand new in-line five cylinder 800cc engine in an attempt to make them world championship contenders in time for the 2011 world championship.
The Japanese bike-makers are the only active manufacturer not to have won an event at Moto GP level, and are looking at several potential engine lay-outs to replace their current in-line four cylinder motor.
Kawasaki technical director, Ichiro Yoda, told Italian magazine Motosprint: "We are thinking of something different for the future: we are evaluating an in-line five cylinders. It's possible. Our engineering staff is evaluating the project.
"I don't understand why Honda went back to four cylinders with the 800cc. Honda dominated with the V5 because you can use smaller cylinders, you get less friction, and you can have more power.
Link to full story at Autosport.com here (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/67433)
If you haven't seen it, there's a video of the "screamer" motor Kawi is developing in this thread (http://www.dooberville.com/forums/showthread.php?t=452). The Autosport story says "in time for the 2011 world championship". Geez! :ack2: