Tech talk with engine developer Peter Gorbach
The 1290 SUPER DUKE R’s 180bhp 1290cc v-twin is an evolution of the RC8 1190cc engine; a unit bursting with power but at the same time a model of drive ability. Important elements of the design involve a 3mm larger bore, 2mm longer stroke, corresponding shorter connecting rods, larger throttle valves, twin spark ignition and two balancer shafts. We talked to 43 year old Peter Gorbach – head of the KTM’s engine development and mastermind behind ‘The Beast’s’ supreme force – and picked out a few interesting details to discuss from this standout motorcycle.
What was the best and the most difficult part of the 1290’s engine development? “The most difficult was development of the piston. To make the bore and stroke greater but to keep the weight the same… well, we knew that it would be difficult. We managed it by giving a lot of respect to the basic design. The piston pin is now 20mm in diameter, which is two millimetres smaller than that found in the engine of the previous 990 Super Duke R. Furthermore the stiffness of the piston has been optimized by finite element analysis. As the very first sample component arrived we could see that the structure was perfect and that was a very rewarding moment for us. We just had to slightly adjust the micrograph profile and modify the rings to get oil consumption on the safe side and then the piston worked. That was a beautiful moment and really satisfying.” Micrograph – can you explain what this means?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2019 من Bike SA.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2019 من Bike SA.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
A Ladies Perspective What a Surprise Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX
I’m sure as everyone knows by now there is little that compares to my BMW K1200S and out of the 13 different bikes I’ve been lucky enough to ride over the 18 months I’ve been riding, I finally came across one that I’m almost certain I’d swap my bike for…
Goodwood's 79th Members Meeting - Hunting, Shooting and - Racing
For that’s what marked the 79th Goodwood Members Meeting aka 79MM, held this year on April 9-10, which this time included two thrilling motorcycle races, each with a blanket finish which in Race 1 saw less than a second covering the first four bikes home.
MIDWEIGHT PUNCH - TRIUMPH TIGER SPORT 660
The Triumph brand seems to be going from strength to strength worldwide. New models are seeing the light of day in various sectors, and here in South Africa there is a carefully planned dealer expansion program in action.
Isle of Man TT-winning ABUS NORTON NRS588 GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Exclusive track test of the last British bike to win the Isle of Man Senior TT in 1992, after what's widely considered to be the most exciting race ever held in the Island
NORTON ROTARY RACERS HISTORY - Rotary Race Record
For eight successive seasons the world’s first - and so far only - Rotary-engined racebikes swept to serial success on British racetracks. Here’s a timeline on their ebb and flow.
MOTO MORINI'S Alberto Monni - INTERVIEW
Exclusive interview with Moto Morini's CEO Alberto Monni, responsible for directing its ride along the comeback trail since its 2018 takeover by Zhongneng Vehicle Group/ZVG
KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX - Surprise Package
I’ve recently written in my Editor’s note bemoaning the lack of available Sports-Touring motorcycles nowadays.
DRYSDALE HISTORY PART 4/5: 25 YEARS ON FROM CREATION OF FIRST 750-V8
2002 1000-V8 Bruiser mega-Monster was a Naked roadster with added muscle - the answer to the question of how to out-max a Yamaha V-Max!
GODIER & GENOUD KAWASAKI 1000 - Enquring Excellence
Exclusive track test at France's Carole circuit of what's arguably the first motorcycle of the modern era - the title-winning Kawasaki Endurance racer built in 1975 by Frenchmen Georges Godier and Alain Genoud
Unnecessarily Fast, or Unnecessarily Dangerous?
“The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” This truism comes from boxing, but applies to all walks of life. Innovative MotoGP superstar Marc Marquez, however, adds a new twist.
