[ScottSellersUNR]

the various manufacturers of sportbikes in the US, Cyctz and allo the rest seem to feel that chasis components, swingarm length and width, handlebar/clipon styles and any other aspect, weight, rims nad anyting else is all fair game to build any method they chose....So if they are open to any type of design why must the "American Sportbike" be a big CI Twin?
Why is it that a maker cant put out a "American Sportbike" with a Big (or small) 4 cylinder... or hell even a triple. I'd tend to htink they should only sell it with a big cc motor since the american muscle car was build on big displacement....Just to keep the american style... they can sell it only as advanced bikes and have beginners start on a 600 GSXR/ZX/CBR/R bike then step up to a 360lb 1050cc V4 that pumps a mind blowing 180RWHP, with good suspension. Many of the existing bikes are GREAT in EVERY aspect of the bike except the motor. What prevents one smart american from building a bike?

 

[jeeps84]

at: I think the big four Jap's have there motors patented. That would make it hard to build a new one without having major capital $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. :2cents:

 

[ScottSellersUNR]

the Big four are all inline......a V 4 isnt produced and htey patented their motors.. not a 1050cc....for it to be american muscle it needs extra CCs anyways. The idea of a all aluminum Busa motor in a GSXR1000 kinda thing.
Theres millions of motor designs they could use.. granted it would take big capitol investment.. but hell Kia started with nothing.... im sure they could get a fiancial backer in a US Co.(As long as they didnt use Harley theyd be ok)

 

[CBR Rider]

Funny you bring this up. I saw a Buell today at a local shop. Asked the mechanic how they were. He said, "If you have always ridden a Harley you will love it. If you have been used to a Jap bike you will find it under powered. Even if you have been riding a 600..."

So, I ask the same question you do - why can't we make one?? I mean come on, even the Brits make a halfway decent sportbike!?

 

[JK_DILLA]

Why do the Italians only build V-twins? (MV Agusta excluded)

What would yall think if a domestic car manufacturer got into the motorcycle game? Surely GM has development money to build an all out I-4. And if they can build C5R corvettes, why not a cutting edge motorcycle. (they'd have to ditch the push-rods though)

 

[ScottSellersUNR]

I think there are plenty of companies that can back a GOOD american sportbike that can run with the big 4. Chevy or anyone else could do it, and maybe the Agusta being a non twin will entice the Italians to consider doubling its cylinders in Aprilia and Ducati. Then maybe that opens it to the US market.
Hell build me a 140RWHP Aprilia and id have a new favorite bike, even if it wasnt the fastest. Just dont get cheap somewhere else like suspension or the Beauty of their bikes body work.

 

[DLIT]

The only bike I know that was made in America was that Dodge Viper engine powered one with four wheels. It's not real practical but it's a begining. It would be easy for a big name manufacturer to start up than with nothing. I'd say give it a few years or so before something starts to seriously develop. I don't think it would be easy to build up a large customer base because of the Jap's and Ital's though. They would have to do some serious country wide test ride days, know what I mean.

 

[JK_DILLA]

The only bike I know that was made in America was that Dodge Viper engine powered one...

Oh yeah, i forgot about that one. Its a start anyway... The first bike from a US auto maker. If Honda, Suzuki, and BMW can do both then i would love to see more. Mabye even a Ducati sport car....

 

[drewpy]

the only thing is do i want a chevy motorcycle that rattles like a cavalier at idle :nono: ?

 

[JK_DILLA]

...well suzuki makes underwhelming cars, but their bikes... yeah.

 

[drewpy]

weird.... :bash: could u imagine suzuki with a car as good as a gsxr 1k respectivly..... :drool:

 

[DLIT]

Yeah, could you imagine the price for a car that'll compare with the 1K? :jd:

 

[JK_DILLA]

They made a prototype car (go cart really) out of a GIXXER motor once. I'll try to find it.

HERE IT IS: GSXR/4

 

[Gas Man]

:drool: that is sweet!

 

[DLIT]

I wonder if it even runs. If it's only one motor it can't be that mean. They should have used a Yamaha motor, then it would've been mean.

 

[jeeps84]

They made a prototype car (go cart really) out of a GIXXER motor once. I'll try to find it.

HERE IT IS: GSXR/4

Monster Garage tried to put a turbo Busa motor in a bubble car once.
I really wanted to see that thing work. :lol:

 

[ScottSellersUNR]

I like those rims on thye suzuki... Way cool, but anything with that much body and frame cant be as fast as a Gixxer unless they turbod it and it was toally build in which case it wouldnt be as relaible as a car.

 

[r1sharknose]

the Big four are all inline......a V 4 isnt produced and htey patented their motors.. not a 1050cc....for it to be american muscle it needs extra CCs anyways. The idea of a all aluminum Busa motor in a GSXR1000 kinda thing.
Theres millions of motor designs they could use.. granted it would take big capitol investment.. but hell Kia started with nothing.... im sure they could get a fiancial backer in a US Co.(As long as they didnt use Harley theyd be ok)

Honda makes a sportbike with a v-4 in it. Its called Interceptor.....
The deal with sportbikes is light weight, a big block engine wouldn't work.
Their are american bikes with chevy engines in 'em called Boss Hoggs (I think)
But their for cruising... :leaving:

 

[Gas Man]

Yes it's a Boss Hoss!!

Boss Hoss Site

ZZ4 Bike

502 Bike

But they're not as fast as you would think....

 

[JK_DILLA]

Monster Garage tried to put a turbo Busa motor in a bubble car once.
I really wanted to see that thing work. :lol:

yeah, they had midgets build it. :yikes:


All you C5/C6 drivers out there: The "MagnaRide" (?) suspension on the corvettes, the variable viscosity shocks that corvettes have, could GM apply it to bikes? Forks, rear shocks etc. If they wont do bikes, mabye they could take some of thier technology and jump into the aftermarket.