future engine technology ( the crystal ball thread)

dietzl41
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dietzl41 1/21/2015 3:20pm
1/21/2015 3:20pm
About 10 years ago I seen something interesting on TV. A guy was testing a new suspension idea on a trophy truck. Instead of having you typical stack of washers in you shock to control oil flow they put fine metal fillings in the oil. Then used a computer that did a bunch of crazy software cacluation stuff. Then it would put a varying amount of voltage in the oil that would flow through the metal causing the metal to align ( magnetic fields) and change the compression and rebound rates many times a second. It was really interesting I don't know what became of it.
Matt Fisher 1/21/2015 3:29pm
1/21/2015 3:29pm
Ferrari and GM both have that available on certain models.

Magnetorheological fluid is the term you're looking for.
dietzl41
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dietzl41 1/21/2015 3:42pm
1/21/2015 3:42pm
That's cool to see that make it into production cars. I can't imagine how that would change motocross. You would think one of the big manufactures would have played around with this by now....
Moto75
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Moto75 1/21/2015 4:01pm
1/21/2015 4:01pm
dietzl41 wrote:
About 10 years ago I seen something interesting on TV. A guy was testing a new suspension idea on a trophy truck. Instead of having you...
About 10 years ago I seen something interesting on TV. A guy was testing a new suspension idea on a trophy truck. Instead of having you typical stack of washers in you shock to control oil flow they put fine metal fillings in the oil. Then used a computer that did a bunch of crazy software cacluation stuff. Then it would put a varying amount of voltage in the oil that would flow through the metal causing the metal to align ( magnetic fields) and change the compression and rebound rates many times a second. It was really interesting I don't know what became of it.
Yep, being used. The current corvette has it. Have a friend who works for Toyota, engineering suspension. Some interesting stuff coming for sure - though he won't give out too much detail. Sounds like the focus is computers / sensors that can read the road up to 200' in front of the car, then adjust the cars suspension accordingly. Similar stuff in the works for bikes, but way too bulky right now.

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gsxr6
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gsxr6 1/21/2015 4:40pm
1/21/2015 4:40pm
gsxr6 wrote:
I see variable timing, direct injection, and charged induction as the future. Why? Because that's what cars have and it all the rage. Chassis development seems...
I see variable timing, direct injection, and charged induction as the future. Why? Because that's what cars have and it all the rage. Chassis development seems to be at a standstill the last 10 or so years . Perhaps the twin spar frame is hard to surpass for racings current formula. I myself feel that pneumatic valves would be better than all of the rest combined. Imagine a four stroke with no cam chain or cam weighing it down, the "camshaft profile" is contained in an ecu ala motogp. It would rev higher and have more low end both at once. I'd bet we get superchargers first but your guess is as good as mine.
The Rock wrote:
KTM hasn't had too difficult of time surpassing the twin spar frame design. Last year at the Thai MXGP race KTM was less affected by others...
KTM hasn't had too difficult of time surpassing the twin spar frame design. Last year at the Thai MXGP race KTM was less affected by others from the fuel and heat issues because their steel frame design allows for a better gas tank location than aluminum twin spar frames do.
Fair enough. I'd say ktms frame is more akin to the frames of the 80s and 90s and would count that as an argument that the twin spar is even a step backward. But what would be a step forward chassis wise? Carbon frames? I agree with everyone about motors already being faaast and my 450 is a bit much, but a stock 250f isn't even close to enough to haul me around. Both types are heavier than optimal. A 450 that weighed stock as much as a light 250 two stroke would be a game changer for the common person. If all that titanium and magnesium means a true to life 450f stock at 215-220 lbs but costs 14000 stock I'd be interested for sure. I keep my bikes for years so its really not that much more.
nascarnate326
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nascarnate326 1/21/2015 4:46pm
1/21/2015 4:46pm
dietzl41 wrote:
About 10 years ago I seen something interesting on TV. A guy was testing a new suspension idea on a trophy truck. Instead of having you...
About 10 years ago I seen something interesting on TV. A guy was testing a new suspension idea on a trophy truck. Instead of having you typical stack of washers in you shock to control oil flow they put fine metal fillings in the oil. Then used a computer that did a bunch of crazy software cacluation stuff. Then it would put a varying amount of voltage in the oil that would flow through the metal causing the metal to align ( magnetic fields) and change the compression and rebound rates many times a second. It was really interesting I don't know what became of it.
Moto75 wrote:
Yep, being used. The current corvette has it. Have a friend who works for Toyota, engineering suspension. Some interesting stuff coming for sure - though he...
Yep, being used. The current corvette has it. Have a friend who works for Toyota, engineering suspension. Some interesting stuff coming for sure - though he won't give out too much detail. Sounds like the focus is computers / sensors that can read the road up to 200' in front of the car, then adjust the cars suspension accordingly. Similar stuff in the works for bikes, but way too bulky right now.
As does the current Camaro ZL1 and some of the Caddys. Gm developed it and licensed it to Ferrari. Its amazing stuff but just too pricy for normal people.
gsxr6
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gsxr6 1/21/2015 4:55pm
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gsxr6
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gsxr6 1/21/2015 4:56pm
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gsxr6
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gsxr6
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gsxr6 1/21/2015 4:57pm
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gsxr6
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gsxr6
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gsxr6 1/21/2015 4:58pm
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gsxr6
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gsxr6 1/21/2015 4:59pm
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gsxr6
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gsxr6 1/23/2015 2:55pm
1/23/2015 2:55pm
I'd bet Yamaha does something new or original before any other company except maybe KTM. A camless four stroke would be awesome. As for suspension, on this years Yamaha r1m (23000) they have a smart phone app that u can adjust the suspension from while off the bike. What would u prefer? Heavier more complex suspension or a lighter more technologically advanced engine? Myself, I think twenty pounds off the bike would make it easier to suspend adequately.
ImTheDude
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ImTheDude 1/24/2015 7:13am
1/24/2015 7:13am
closed loop FI.
Eddie_E
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Eddie_E 1/24/2015 7:45am
1/24/2015 7:45am
enketchum wrote:
Honda had an auto transmission that was tested for outdoor tracks. Testers said they were good but never made it to mainstream
Auto clutches and transmissions are not really new.

I think we will see some auto clutch endure bikes coming out again soon. I had a Yamaha 225DX back in the 80's that shifted really nice and the kids models like an XR50 or KLX110 have been reliable for years. In fact the only negative comments I've heard about auto clutches have been about the KTM 50's.

I have to laugh when friends who ride woods spend between $600-900 for a Recluse setup, but somebody in Austria will notice eventually.

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