![]() Valves are an essential element of the four-stroke engine. Valve timing in particular needs to be compromised. The problem is that each of these goals requires a different set of attributes from the engine itself. And that’s before we even start to consider emissions or economy.Įngine designers are pulled in every direction, and as customers we’ll walk away the moment they fail to meet our lofty expectations. What’s more, we all expect the transition from meek to mad to happen seamlessly, without so much as a hitch or hiccough on the way. One moment we’re expecting them to start easily and settle to a low-revving, smooth tickover, the next we’re calling on the same motor to hit 13,000rpm and pump out arm-stretching amounts of power. ![]() These largely stem from the fact that we demand so much flexibility from them. The internal combustion engine is a long series of compromises. But, just as they’ve been obliged to take on ABS, the tightening clench of emissions regulations will soon force companies to look again at VVT.īut don’t for a moment think that’s a bad thing properly applied variable valve timing on future bike engines promises to improve tangibles including their performance and economy, as well as ensuring cleaner exhausts. Variable valve timing (VVT) falls firmly into the second camp.Īs a technology, it’s been around for decades but while car makers have long since embraced it, motorcycle manufacturers have shunned it. ABS brakes aren’t new by any means – BMW has been offering the tech since the Eighties – but only now, with the help of improving technology and legislation to force them on new bikes from 2017 onwards, are they reaching ubiquity. Other tech takes a little longer to reach that tipping point. ![]() All are things that were nowhere to be seen a handful of years ago but are fast becoming standard fare. Traction control, multiple riding modes, TFT displays, for instance. Sometimes a new technology will burst onto the motorcycling scene, sweeping all before it and becoming a factor that clearly marks out bikes that came before or after that watershed. ![]()
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