Ducati CEO clears about their V twin engine strategy

Few months back there were lots of rumers regarding four cylinder powerplant for Ducati's upcoming flagship motorcycle which will be replacement for existing Panigale.

Now it's obvious for one to think like that just because Ducati's legendary L twins motors are leaving their displacement category way ahead of class. because twin needs more displacements to match the performance of four cylinder competitors which revs like hell!

Interestingly romor got some push because Ducati facing restrictions in their bike running in World Superbike series. But that's all over now because Ducati CEO talk with MCN saying 
"I can confirm there is no officially confirmed project at Ducati for a four-cylinder engine to replace the Panigale V-twin. There is no Ducati four-cylinder superbike planned. “We have a V4 MotoGP bike of course. Maybe someone got confused!

That's Domenicali's words as CEO but we already know that replacement for Panigale is already in works.

So at least for this moment it's confirmed that We can't see V4 Ducati's anytime soon, but it will happen for sure, just the way happened with Ducati's Moto GP bike , afterall V4 are no match for V2 no matter that how much modern V twin engine gets either you have to increase displacement which is what Ducati doing right now or get extra cylinders for aggressive powerband.


Source - MCN

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Honda launching CBR 650F today in India

Japaneses motorcycle manufacturer Honda motorcycles India introducing premium supersports class inline four machine CBR650F today.

 According to Honda motorcycles ad scooters India (HMSI), CBR650F will be assembled in Indian plant, and parts will be brought as completely broke down unit,the price of Honda CBR650F will be around Rs 8 lakh.

CBR650R is more friendlier version of Hard edge CBR600RR, equipped with 649 cc inline four motor producing around 86 horsepower at 11,000 rpm and 46 foot pounds of torque at 8,000 rpm
Originally Honda have developed CBR650F to fill cheese between the CBR 500R and race spec CBR600RR supersports, CBR650R have ergonomic like Ninja 650 but instead of giving parallel twin like Kawasaki's plan Honda have gone for inline four like CBR600RR.

Inline four block

The great thing about inline four is they're absolutely smooth engine, but makes their most of power at higher RPM compare to singles or twins. So taking all those things like comfortable ergonomics to inline four motor like supersports motor like CBR600RR we can say CBR650F is perfect blend of performance and comfort, obviously CBR50F's motor is tuned down compare to mainstream supersports but who care's! after all it'll be Honda's cheapest inline four machine in India.

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2015 MV Agusta F4 RC

This year seems like major overhaul in liter class segment across various companies, Just take example of beautiful R1 from Yamaha or brutal track weapon S1000 RR from BMW.

 Just in case if you don't know , last month MV Agusta dropped their all new F4 RC liter class platform , MV Agusta's specification sheet suggests F4 RC produces insane 212 hp with race exhaust system, or 202.5 hp in street legal format , peak torque of 84.8 lbs remains same in both variants.

Wrapped in carbon fiber fairings,titanium con bolts and race exhaust system, Lithium_ion battery, forged aluminum wheels and  magnesium casings, the MV Agusta F4 RC is whole 16.5 kg lighter than RR model, with a 193 kg dry weight.

Bike comes with updated MVICS 2.0 electronic system which includes traction control,ABS, rear-wheel lift control, and quick-shifter.

MV Agusta F4 RR and RC both are work of art but MV's are always criticized in past for their snatchy throttle response and flat spots in their rev band so it's interesting to see if MV Agusta have resolve their throttle management issues with newer electronic package because MV's inline fours are some of strongest liter class motors available right now.

The newer BMW S1000RR producing some healthy 199hp, while Aprilia RSV 4RR makes 201hp, Ducati's twin cyclinder  1299 Panigale S produces 205 hp, which puts MV Agusta F4 RC as new horsepower champ in it's category.

But as always it's not only power which make's great superbike but blend of various parameters such as handling, fueling, braking and electronics package and as mentioned previously, in past MV's are badly beaten by other bikes due to their weird throttle modulation.   
 

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