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The other point that most people miss is that it isn't the parallel twin bit that makes the W650 so charismatic, it's the fact that it's a 360 degree parallel twin...So all the bits are moving in the same direction at the same time. That new bike, like the Ninja 650R, is a 180 degree...which is why it can rev...
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In my opinion there is no comparison between the two types of layout in 'feel' terms. Having ridden the old ER5 180 twin, it's 'just' a bike. Fairly peppy, of course, a bit revvy, nice neutral handling and all that, but no magic to the power delivery or feel. The grunt from a W650 is partially down to the fact that both pistons rise and fall together so the power pulses are garnished with a very heavy 'flywheel effect'. In a 180 twin, each power pulse has the other conrod moving laterally in the opposite direction. It makes for a smoother motor, which is why virtually all Honda twins of the '60's revved so high, but you don't get that almost single cylinder type thump. The other important thing about the W650 is that it is long stroke. You can't rev a long stroke motor so fast because the pistons travel faster to get to the top each time, but the longer conrods have to swing out further as they go round the crank and that means there is more leverage for the piston to push down onto...Which is why a W650 can pull effortlessly two-up up a hill from 1200 rpm . The miracle is that with it's balancers and brilliant materials it can rev and make reliable power to 8000rpm as well. I'm not a fan of 180 degree motors. They feel anaesthetised and a bit like a twin trying to hide it's 'twin-ness' and be a rather rough four. Now a modern styled sports bike with a 360 degree motor...that would be a nice GT bike... Jon the front headlight half fairing thing looks like a mushroom or penis |
