posted February 15, 2005 08:32 AM
Nakano evaluates ´big bang´ Kawasaki News, 14/02/05
Shinya Nakano concluded a successful evaluation of a´big bang´ version of Kawasaki´s inline four-cylinder Ninja ZX-RR engine during two days of testing in Malaysia this week.
Sepang marked the first track test for the new motor, which is a result of an extensive winter development programme at Kawasaki´s development facility in Akashi, Japan.
Nakano led an intensive evaluation programme over the course of the two-day test, as Kawasaki engineers collected and collated the on track data necessary for the next stage in the engine development programme.
And while the new engine is in the early stages of development, Nakano´s comments at the conclusion of the test would indicate that development is moving in the right direction. The 27-year-old Japanese rider liked the characteristics and feel of the engine, whilst also identifying some areas for improvement.
'The first day I rode both the old and new versions of the ZX-RR engine for direct comparison purposes, but on the second day I stayed with the big bang version because it felt like there was a definite improvement in both acceleration and driveability´, commented Nakano.
'The new engine also makes the bike feel more stable and improves rear traction. Like all new developments, we still have quite a lot of work to do to get the best out of the engine, but overall I am happy with the progress we made in Sepang.
'It´s only just over a week before testing continues at Jerez, but the aim is to carry out some changes to the engine to improve throttle response between now and then´.
Technical Coordinator Naoya Kaneko was also satisfied with the first run-out for the new engine and says he is looking for plenty more improvement to come. 'Sepang was primarily a shakedown test for the big bang engine, and a chance to collect the data that Kawasaki´s engineers need to continue the development programme´, commented Kaneko.
'The latest engine is still in the early stages of development, but the results so far have been positive. Shinya liked the feel and the characteristics of the new engine, but he also identified a few areas for improvement.
'The engine definitely has potential, which we´ll be looking to unlock during further pre-season testing in Europe´.
Team Manager Harald Eckl added: 'The aim of this test at Sepang was simple; we were here to evaluate the latest version of the Ninja ZX-RR engine which features a revised firing order. By focussing only on Shinya, we have been able to collect comparative data that will prove invaluable to our development programme, and will allow our engineers to make the next step with the engine before we resume testing in Europe.
'We still have a number of other concepts to evaluate before making a final decision regarding engine specification for the coming season, but I definitely think our development programme has moved on a step as a result of this test´.
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted February 15, 2005 01:34 PM
Dude - finishing 10th is NOT the bottom. How bout Ruben Xaus, Marco Melandri, Norick Abe, Troy Bayloss, Alex Hoffman, John Hopkins, Neil Hodgson, Kenny Roberts, Jeremy McWilliams, Shayne Byrne, Nobuatsu Aoki, Michel Fabrizio, Yukio Kagayama, Olivier j\Jacque, James Haydon, James Ellison, Youichi Ui and Kurtis Roberts?
Or are you talking about constructor's championship?
They finished fourth, behind Honda, Yamaha and Ducati. AHEAD of Suzuki, Aprilia, Proton, Harris WCM and Moriwaki.
posted February 15, 2005 02:49 PM
Naw ...... I meant the times this year seem a little dissapointing to me?!? Am I the only one?? As I was hoping to personally see these machines snarl by me at Laguna at least in the top 5 or so. But this year in tests they have much improved but then so has everyone else.
What the HELL do they mean by BIG BANG!???
____________
"Ya Gotta Have Big Ones!"
posted February 15, 2005 02:58 PM
I'm sure they won't surprise anyone. the first half of the year will be oil blowing engines. the second half they will be monsters down the straights. the name of the game is corner speed. rossi's top speed was down 10 mph at some tracks. poining and shooting is a thing of the past in motogp. I would love to see the green monster on the box. thats only gonna happen if rossi's riding it.
I'll give this one a shot. There was a well written article on the subject a few months back. Sorry can't remember which one.
Idea with big bang is to fire more than one cylinder at a time. The bike will hook up during the majority of the "power pulse" The rear tire will slip toward the end of the pulse. It will then have a moment to hook back up before the engine fires again. The idea is like sliding heavy box across a floor, It requires a great deal of energy to move initially, but less force once the box is moving. A bike with a traditional firing order in moto gp will just spin the rear tire to hell once it breaks looks. The revised firing order is designed to give the rear a chance to hook back up before the next power strong.
posted February 15, 2005 05:04 PM
snickers thats the idea. I know the duc fired two at a time but went back to firing them with a gap. I'd love to see the degrees of rotation in between firing.
posted February 16, 2005 04:28 PM
The main change is to the engine, with the M1 now going from a
conventional across the frame four to a simulated vee, which means that
the actual crank design has been altered, so that the engine now fires two cylinders close together, and the others shortly after."
"The big benefit is in traction and engine response, and most of all it
makes the bike feel more similar to the V5 Honda Rossi is used to riding."
posted February 16, 2005 07:02 PM
Fatkaw - I think the only change needed is different cams. The crank doesn't know the difference between the top of the compression stroke and the top of the exhaust stroke, only the cam does.
posted February 16, 2005 07:24 PM
Edited By: fattkaw on 16 Feb 2005 19:31
I'm pretty sure it comes down to the rod journals and how there degreed from each other. on the zx10, 1-4 rise together as does 2-3. I believe this is a 180 degree crankshaft. who knows what the ZZR is. it's all on the degreeing of the rod journals. I wish I could show you a picture. A picture of a motogp crank would be big money to sell off to another GP team!!!!
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted February 17, 2005 03:45 AM
Edited By: swft on 17 Feb 2005 03:58
Ah, I think I see what you mean, FatKaw. I think a ZZR, be it a 600 or a 1200 is nothing exotic. I've never had any problems tuning my ZZR1200.
HOME
NEW TOPIC
posted February 15, 2005 08:32 AM
Edited By: 
