Rotory Engines

[NAKID]

I think he meant to say header.
Looks like there might be a relief or a slot in the lower radiator to clear it.
Wankel exhaust is *hot*, so it is an issue.

I've never cared for the sound at all, just nasty to my ears.

They do make serious power, but I haven't seen any comparison of engine weights lately.
And there's always argument over what the displacement actually is...

You're right, I meant to say header. I didn't notice the mistake til I read Randy's post...

[jswledhed]

I've never cared for the sound at all, just nasty to my ears.

That's part of why I like it.

There's no melodic interplay between power pulses, as with a twin.  No rheostat smoothness as with a four cylinder.  And even the banshee wail of an angered, multi-cylinder two-smoke can't match it.

Its pure malice, a rasping hatred of its own existance.

Somewhere on th web there's one of those inspiration posters for rotary engines.  I can't seem to find it now.  It says something like:

The Rotary: In theory, Communism works, too.

[ducatiz]

And there's always argument over what the displacement actually is...

seems you could just put a meter on the intake valve and turn the engine manually -- and read how much it pulls..

[NeufUnSix]

Meh. They are different for the sake of being different, there aren't that many benefits. You get high horsepower from very little displacement, but you also get a virtually torque-free powerband and ridiculously bad fuel economy and oil consumption. They've also been shown to wear out quickly (rotor tips) despite the whole "less moving parts" card.

As someone said, you have small, light, conventional motors that put out more power than you ever need while running forever and being quite efficient in terms of fuel consumption and emissions. So why mess with the formula? Same reason there are no turbo or supercharged bikes -they aren't needed, so why bother spending the money on being the oddball?

[Speedbag]

Meh. They are different for the sake of being different, there aren't that many benefits. You get high horsepower from very little displacement, but you also get a virtually torque-free powerband and ridiculously bad fuel economy and oil consumption. They've also been shown to wear out quickly (rotor tips) despite the whole "less moving parts" card.

As someone said, you have small, light, conventional motors that put out more power than you ever need while running forever and being quite efficient in terms of fuel consumption and emissions. So why mess with the formula? Same reason there are no turbo or supercharged bikes -they aren't needed, so why bother spending the money on being the oddball?

+1

Eww, rotor seals. 

As for the turbo, i dunno - my VRSCR "needs" one since 121 HP at the wheel just isn't enough for a touring bike. 

[Rev. Millertime]

Wankel exhaust is *hot*, so it is an issue.

I can vouch for that. I've got a Arctic Cat snowmobile with a 303 Wankel Rotary in it, exhaust glows red after a couple of minutes.

[NAKID]

They've also been shown to wear out quickly (rotor tips) despite the whole "less moving parts" card.

It's usually Apex Seals that go out...

[squidwood]

I rode one of Kenny Dreers Norton Rotary Engined bikes.It was an F1 , an original F1 not the current bike pictured above.It was cramped as it was made for racing on the TT Circuit.
Fast............OMFG was it fast.
It spooled up so fricking quick it was difficult keeping the thing in the right gear.Handling was not a problem.This thing went round corners like you wouldn't believe............Braking was fricking awesome as well.I feel very honored to be one of only a few to ever ride an F1 in North America.They are a very small bike, full bore race set up, incredibly fast and unbelievably uncomfortable.Still I am so glad I had that experience.I rode the 952 and 961 prototypes as well in various versions of prototype.I am a lucky dog!

[ducatiz]

guys, everyone is talking about Rotary engines, the thread is about ROTORY engines!  come on!

[Monsterlover]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBg86bjr8l0&feature=related

[jswledhed]

Awesome, awesome, AWESOME clip!

[junior varsity]

One of the problems with the older suzukis was heat. lots and lots of heat. we did a project on the design in undergrad engineering.

[MotoCreations]

Anyone ex-military?  I'm trying to learn more about the rotary engine in this: http://www.aaicorp.com/New/UAS/html/shadowr_200.html

Rotary engine that weights @20lbs and makes 38hp. Aircooled.  Uses @ 7liters / fuel per hour at full throttle. 

[Speeddog]

Anyone ex-military?  I'm trying to learn more about the rotary engine in this: http://www.aaicorp.com/New/UAS/html/shadowr_200.html

Rotary engine that weights @20lbs and makes 38hp. Aircooled.  Uses @ 7liters / fuel per hour at full throttle. 

That's 0.32 lb/HP-hr, a little thirsty.

[MotoCreations]

That's 0.32 lb/HP-hr, a little thirsty.

But say at 80% throttle and given the weight of the engine itself -- do you know of an engine that is < 20lbs and makes 38hp?  Carb'd so somewhat primitive in that aspect.