1125R engine tech vid

[Kootenanny]

Some of you guys might be interested in this video of a short interview with the lead designer of the Helicon engine.

[Brad1445]

I lOVE this engine!

[nanbil]

Damn, that is the ugliest motor I've ever seen.  Too bad Buell and Rotax couldn't design one that looked better...

[Bueller]

Damn, that is the ugliest motor I've ever seen.  Too bad Buell and Rotax couldn't design one that looked better...

It's what fairings are for.

It's not ugly unless you can catch it for a look

[nanbil]

It's what fairings are for.

...and here I thought that was what the pods were for; to hide that fugly engine...

[Thunderbox]

...and here I thought that was what the pods were for; to hide that fugly engine...

Moot point as the angle you are most likely to be viewing one from is behind.

[Bueller]

Moot point as the angle you are most likely to be viewing one from is behind.

[st ryder]

I lOVE this engine!

I want to hear how this engine sounds after a few thousand miles. 3(!) gear driven balance shafts, as well as gear driven exhaust cams makes me wonder how whiny it will get as the sprockets wear, and also how sprocket wear will effect the exhaust timing.

Torston, that's a good a American name.

[Kootenanny]

...how sprocket wear will effect the exhaust timing.

You're kidding, right?

You'd rather trust your valve timing to a chain or a belt?  VFR owners often prefer older VFRs, largely due to the gear-driven cams...

Yes, there's a chain in the 1125R valve train, but the reasons for the 2nd cam to be gear-driven from the first involve accuracy and reliability.

I can't deny the gear-driven balance shafts may cause some noise (and they're gonna steal some power, too).  But, some guys always complain about the shaking in the old Sportster-based engine, so...

[st ryder]

You're kidding, right?

You'd rather trust your valve timing to a chain or a belt?  VFR owners often prefer older VFRs, largely due to the gear-driven cams...

Yes, there's a chain in the 1125R valve train, but the reasons for the 2nd cam to be gear-driven from the first involve accuracy and reliability.

I can't deny the gear-driven balance shafts may cause some noise (and they're gonna steal some power, too).  But, some guys always complain about the shaking in the old Sportster-based engine, so...

Why would I kid?   Seriously, I think all those gear drives may be an Achilles heel, that's why I want to hear how they sound after a few thousand miles. Yes, I agree, gear driven cams can be reliable and accurate, and I just recently recommended a mid nineties VFR to a friend of mine over another bike when asked for an opinion.    

[Rogue]

Gearwhine is a good thing.

If the 1125R has a lot of geardriven whatever, it probably sounds sweet.  One of the sweetest sounding things out there are geardriven cams.  The Honda RC51, Suzuki's 1000cc Vtwin (partially gear driven), and previous VFR800 motor....music to the ears.

Having those finger followers makes maintenance simpler too.  No need to remove and replace cams during valve check/adjustment!