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Motorcycle technology 2004

Techno party

More performance, more safety, more comfort: innovation in all areas. What’s under the beautiful bowls of the new items 2004?

Milan, Paris, Tokyo: The major international two-wheeler trade fairs are causing a flood of the motorcycle world
pleasant novelties. Gilera Ferro, KTM RC8, Honda CBF 600 and Fireblade,
Kawasaki ZX-10R and VN 2000, MV Agusta 1000, Suzuki V-Strom 650 or Yamaha YZF-R1. Over 50 new models refresh the 2004 vintage (see
MOTORCYCLE 19 to 23/2003).
Tea technology moves
quite a bit. Who believed the 164 hp the
Suzuki GSX-R 1000 would be enough in athletic circles, seriously wrong. Almost ten horsepower will be increased in the next season. And anyone who saw the end of displacement growth in motorcycle construction with 1.8 liters is also wrong. A 2.0-liter V2 from Kawasaki, a 2.3-liter triple from Triumph ?? new torque giants. Honda is opening a new chapter in ABS and is the first Japanese manufacturer to offer this system in the mid-range. Also discovered
Honda variable ergonomics as a selling comfort feature, which so far only BMW has distinguished itself. And in drive technology, Yamaha are setting new standards with two-wheel drive and Gilera with automatic.

Kawasaki VN 2000

Bull piece: Kawasaki builds the largest two-cylinder. Two liters of displacement for a twin has never been seen before. To real Langhuber. The 103 millimeter thick pistons cover an endless 123.2 millimeters of travel in their cylinders, more than on any Harley. Two lower camshafts operate four valves per cylinder via long bumpers and fork rocker arms. Injection with a double throttle valve system, catalytic converter, secondary drive via toothed belt and a modern chassis are a reminder that the VN 2000 can definitely be attributed to this and not the last millennium.

Honda CBR 1000 RR Fireblade

Like the CBR 600 RR: cast frame, suspension strut integrated into the swing arm and silencer in the rear. New, over 160 HP strong motor, which is short with superimposed gear shafts. A first at Honda: the steering damper, which is clearly in the field of vision, above the upper triple clamp. Strictly rejected in the previous model, the component required by MOTORRAD has even established itself as an electronically controlled rotary vane damper, in which a solenoid valve varies the damper forces depending on the speed and acceleration.

Kawasaki ZX-10R

Kawasaki’s brand new sports bike also turned out to be compact: the voluminous bridge frame leads over the engine to save construction width. The in-line four-cylinder with 43 throttle valves develops 170 hp. The action of the anti-hopping clutch is adjustable and can thus be adapted to your personal driving style. Kawasaki promises a lower weight and better heat dissipation for the brake discs in wave design, the brake calipers are bolted radially.

Honda CBF 600 S.

Comfort and safety in the middle class: The bare CBF 600 and the disguised S version with the modified 600 four-cylinder from the Hornet have a number of features that should make life easier for motorcyclists, for example variable ergonomics. The driver’s seat can be adjusted horizontally and vertically in three stages, the handlebars can be adjusted in two positions by turning the bearing blocks. The disc of the S also offers height adjustment. After BMW with the F 650, Honda is the only manufacturer that now also offers ABS in the smaller classes. In addition to the CBF 600, the entry-level model CBF 500 and the travel enduro Varadero also benefit from the safety system. Hopefully the Honda example will catch on.

Yamaha YZF-R1

Lighter, stronger, narrower: with the R1 no stone was left unturned. Lighter thanks to an exhaust system made of titanium and weight savings in the artfully cast frame and swing arm, stronger thanks to a stroke-bore ratio of 53.6 to 77 millimeters, which is extreme for 1000s. The short stroke allows the high maximum speed of 13750 / min, together with the large gas exchange cross-sections, the five-valve engine achieves 172 hp ?? Great for the Japanese. The R1 is narrow because the bridge frame now runs over the cylinder head. Further highlights: finally a steering damper, radially screwed four-piston brake calipers, silencers placed under the rear, roller system in the exhaust manifold for torque optimization.

Guzzi breva V 1100

Completely overhauled: The tried and tested 90-degree V2 gets new pistons, double ignition and a completely new drive train including gearbox. Other suppliers should make the six-speed gearbox stable and easy to switch. Particularly innovative: the single-sided swing arm with the rotatable bearing of crown wheel and pinion in the rear axle housing. A strut supports the reaction torque of the cardan on the frame.

Suzuki GSX-R 750

Lonely fighter: Suzuki has stepped up in the almost orphaned 750 class. The heavily revised engine achieves almost 200 hp per liter with 148 hp and thus even surpasses the powerful 600 super sports car. The most noticeable innovation concerns the valves. They are made of lightweight, high-strength, but also expensive titanium. Their lower mass allows higher maximum speeds with lower spring forces and thus reduced component stress. The new GSX-R 600, which has an output of 120 hp, also has the noble components.

Ducati ST 3

Valve clearances: Ducati builds a 1000 two-valve, 1000 four-valve and now also a water-cooled three-valve. The substructure comes from the Desmodue motors. The cylinder heads with double ignition, two intake valves and one exhaust valve, naturally controlled desmodromically, are a completely new design. Compared to the four-valve engine, you save one camshaft per head. With 102 HP, the Desmotre has almost the same performance as the more complex four-valve engine, but in the lower speed range it acts more torque and is a lot more comfortable (see also driving report in MOTORRAD 23/2003).

MV Agusta F4 1000 Tamburini

Be noble and strong: design and technology are derived from the F4 750. 55 millimeters stroke and 76 bore ensure the full liter displacement. With a nominal 166 hp, the Italian star plays in the Japanese league. The special model Tamburini, a tribute to the designer, is even at the top of the sports group with an additional seven horsepower. The trick: Additional air funnels change the suction tube lengths pneumatically controlled, depending on the speed and load.

Gilera Ferro

Stepless: Piaggo presents a pleasing naked bike whose power transmission is tough. The two-cylinder V-engine with 850 cm3 (MOTORRAD 10/2002) transfers its torque to the rear wheel via a continuously variable transmission. But the fully automatic system leaves all options open to the driver. Similar to the Suzuki AN 650 Burgman scooter, it can leave the gear selection to the electronics, shift up or down as required or select fixed levels as with a conventional manual transmission. The "iron" from Gilera is still a long way off, but in just a few years it could be a pioneer in motorcycle gearshift comfort and establish itself in the touring sector.

Aprilia 45. V2

More speed: Aprilia is going a completely new way with the off-road two-cylinder presented in Milan. The ultra-short stroke should withstand speeds of up to 14,000 rpm and produce 70 hp. It beats the common 450 single-cylinder by a long way. The V2 unit has four-valve heads, each with an overhead camshaft, and a modern injection system. Despite the complex construction, the engine is said to weigh only 700 grams more than the Motocross 450 from Honda.

Triumph rocket iii

Cubic capacity queen: In terms of cubic capacity, the Rocket III even trumps the new Kawasaki VN 2000, even if it uses smaller cylinder units. Its 2.3 liters are distributed over three pots, a good 750 cm3 in size. The installation position is unusual: the in-line engine is in the chassis, its crankshaft rotates lengthways in the direction of travel, and it transfers its ample torque to the rear wheel via a cardan drive. A modern design with two overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder ensures the full steam. A balance shaft is supposed to keep the free moments of mass of the triplet in check. In order to avoid a permanently spinning rear wheel, Triumph even reduced the torque.

Yamaha WR 450 F 2-Trac

All-wheel drive: Yamaha is breaking new ground with the WR 450 F 2-Trac. In the two-wheel drive designed by Ohlins and developed for series production by Belgarda, the conventional pinion at the transmission output drives a pump via a short chain. This in turn is connected to the oil motor in the front wheel hub via two hoses. Two-wheel drive offers real traction advantages, especially in deep terrain such as sand and mud.

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