Motorcycle.com

Z-Rod · 10-23-2009, 03:40 PM

So, I while ago one of the Brit bike mags had an article: "The 10 Greatest Motorcycle Motors of All Time." (I think it was BIKE magazine that ran it.)

Anyway their list included the Yamaha R-1 motor, the Honda VFR, the Fireblade motor. Most were more families of motors rather than a particular year.

So, I decided that a variation on this would make a good topic for the MC.com community to discuss (er, flame) away at for the weekend.

My variation is "air cooled". Of course that *always* brings out the GSX-R boys and the question of whether the early air/oil cooled gixers are just variations on air-cooled, or a different engine. Well I'll stick the GS in the poll, pick that and put GSX-R in the comments field.

What criteria should you use? All. That is whatever combination of power, personality, smoothness, reliability, sound, weight, reputation, and good looks you think makes it best. This isn't a 'most horsepower' question.

I'll do my best to pick out 10 that I think will be high up in the standings, but feel free to post something else if I screw it up.

mscuddy · 10-23-2009, 07:28 PM

Kawasaki hands down. From the 550 to the mighty 1100cc cop bike, even if not maintained all that well, fast and hard to kill. Transmissions and clutches last forever, valve adjustment intervals of sixteen thousand miles are liveable. Put a Kerker on it, re-jet the carbs, some Uni pod air filters, and you've got one snappy motorcycle. I personally rode a 1981 KZ750 with the Weisco 880cc kit, big valves, carbs, Barnett clutch and Koni shocks on the back, for 10 years. It never broke, and embarassed some so-called super bikes at every chance.

Only thing that wore out were the brake pads, sprockets/chain and rear tire (a clutch or two also).

My neighbor still rides it. Goes whooshing by the house on a daily basis.

pplassm · 10-24-2009, 05:53 AM

GS1000: Roller bearing bottom end. Lasts forever.

sarnali2 · 10-24-2009, 07:29 AM

I'm real happy with the TC96 in my current bike. Flawless fuel injection, linier response from idle to redline, torque from 3 rpm on up, zero maintenance other then oil & filters and spark plugs now and then, a reusuable air cleaner element and easy access to it.....easy 100k+ service life and brick like reliability, mid 40's mpg smooth as silk and a nice exhaust note....a text book example of continuing refinement of an existing design. Pretty tough combo to beat.

My second choice would be an ironhead Sportster with cams and drag pipes....pure audio sex on wheels..

MOKE1K · 10-24-2009, 08:27 AM

The KZ hands down!

seruzawa · 10-24-2009, 10:27 AM

Best ever for what? The Ducati 1100 L-engine is sure gonna suck in an off-road bike.

Z-Rod · 10-24-2009, 12:35 PM

For a road bike. Sorry I should have spec'd this, but I felt it was implied by the fact all the bikes in the survey were multi-cylinder road bike engines. Perhaps I'll put a dirt bike poll up next ...

pplassm · 10-24-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seruzawa

Best ever for what? The Ducati 1100 L-engine is sure gonna suck in an off-road bike.

Check this out:

Terra Mostro - Mixed Terrain, Touring Machine

seruzawa · 10-24-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pplassm

Check this out:

Terra Mostro - Mixed Terrain, Touring Machine

Yes, but it's the 700 engine and it weighs 400 pounds. So, it'll be better than GSes and such, but it's still a lot of weight for off road. Call it a decent cow trailer. I'd have to ride one since I ignore all BS by marketeers.

longride · 10-25-2009, 06:27 AM

"That is whatever combination of power, personality, smoothness, reliability, sound, weight, reputation, and good looks you think makes it best."

I'm in with Sarnali, the Ironhead Sporty was the best.

View Poll Results: What is the best air-cooled motorcycle engine? (4 stroke)
Harley Davidson Big Twin family (detail favorite generation in comments, please)	2	13.33%
Harley Davidson Sportster	1	6.67%
Triumph 650/750 Bonneville Type Twin	1	6.67%
Norton Commando 750/850	0	0%
Ducati L-Twin	5	33.33%
Honda 750/4 and variations	2	13.33%
BMW Flat Twin	0	0%
Suzuki GS-1000	2	13.33%
Kawasaki Z1 900 and 1000	2	13.33%
Vincent Black Shadow	0	0%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll

10-23-2009, 03:40 PM	#1
Z-Rod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 25	What is the best air-cooled MC engine ever? So, I while ago one of the Brit bike mags had an article: "The 10 Greatest Motorcycle Motors of All Time." (I think it was BIKE magazine that ran it.) Anyway their list included the Yamaha R-1 motor, the Honda VFR, the Fireblade motor. Most were more families of motors rather than a particular year. So, I decided that a variation on this would make a good topic for the MC.com community to discuss (er, flame) away at for the weekend. My variation is "air cooled". Of course that always brings out the GSX-R boys and the question of whether the early air/oil cooled gixers are just variations on air-cooled, or a different engine. Well I'll stick the GS in the poll, pick that and put GSX-R in the comments field. What criteria should you use? All. That is whatever combination of power, personality, smoothness, reliability, sound, weight, reputation, and good looks you think makes it best. This isn't a 'most horsepower' question. I'll do my best to pick out 10 that I think will be high up in the standings, but feel free to post something else if I screw it up. Last edited by Z-Rod : 10-23-2009 at 03:49 PM.

10-23-2009, 07:28 PM	#2
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 5,447	Kawasaki hands down. From the 550 to the mighty 1100cc cop bike, even if not maintained all that well, fast and hard to kill. Transmissions and clutches last forever, valve adjustment intervals of sixteen thousand miles are liveable. Put a Kerker on it, re-jet the carbs, some Uni pod air filters, and you've got one snappy motorcycle. I personally rode a 1981 KZ750 with the Weisco 880cc kit, big valves, carbs, Barnett clutch and Koni shocks on the back, for 10 years. It never broke, and embarassed some so-called super bikes at every chance. Only thing that wore out were the brake pads, sprockets/chain and rear tire (a clutch or two also). My neighbor still rides it. Goes whooshing by the house on a daily basis. __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.

10-24-2009, 05:53 AM	#3
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,875	GS1000: Roller bearing bottom end. Lasts forever. __________________ Mongo just pawn in game of life.

10-24-2009, 07:29 AM	#4
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,648	I'm real happy with the TC96 in my current bike. Flawless fuel injection, linier response from idle to redline, torque from 3 rpm on up, zero maintenance other then oil & filters and spark plugs now and then, a reusuable air cleaner element and easy access to it.....easy 100k+ service life and brick like reliability, mid 40's mpg smooth as silk and a nice exhaust note....a text book example of continuing refinement of an existing design. Pretty tough combo to beat. My second choice would be an ironhead Sportster with cams and drag pipes....pure audio sex on wheels.. __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "Denser alloy. My Father gave it to me, I think he wants me to kill you"... CVF-FCV

Sponsored Links	Remove Advertisements
Motorcycle Forum Advertisement

10-24-2009, 08:27 AM	#5
MOKE1K Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kalapana, Big Island Posts: 3,992	The KZ hands down! __________________ "YOU CAN'T BOLT ON SKILL"

10-24-2009, 10:27 AM	#6
seruzawa The Toad Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 17,403	Best ever for what? The Ducati 1100 L-engine is sure gonna suck in an off-road bike. __________________ http://www.badmovies.org/movies/deadalive/ I kick @ss for the Lord!

10-24-2009, 12:35 PM	#7
Z-Rod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 25	For a road bike. Sorry I should have spec'd this, but I felt it was implied by the fact all the bikes in the survey were multi-cylinder road bike engines. Perhaps I'll put a dirt bike poll up next ...

10-25-2009, 06:27 AM	#10
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	"That is whatever combination of power, personality, smoothness, reliability, sound, weight, reputation, and good looks you think makes it best." I'm in with Sarnali, the Ironhead Sporty was the best. __________________ I'm a knucklehead