Comments on: A Century of Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/07/a-century-of-supercharged-and-turbocharged-motorcycles/ Rider Magazine features the latest motorcycle reviews, news, and videos. This is Motorcycling at its Best. Sun, 26 Feb 2023 14:32:30 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 By: ilikevelos https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/07/a-century-of-supercharged-and-turbocharged-motorcycles/#comment-1421954 Sun, 26 Feb 2023 14:32:30 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71254#comment-1421954 I rode my 84 Gpz750 Turbo this week. It plays well with modern bikes although the wheelbase is a bit long. I have owned it for over 30 years and it has been stone reliable. No replacement parts other than regular maintenance although I did need to clean and dielectric grease the wiring connecters so it would run in the rain.

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By: Erik Slaven https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/07/a-century-of-supercharged-and-turbocharged-motorcycles/#comment-1421391 Fri, 24 Feb 2023 11:12:28 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71254#comment-1421391 In reply to Mark.

Agreed. Imagine a ZX-6R with a supercharger.

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By: Erik Slaven https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/07/a-century-of-supercharged-and-turbocharged-motorcycles/#comment-1421389 Fri, 24 Feb 2023 11:11:18 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71254#comment-1421389 In reply to Dave S.

Very cool Dave! I couldn’t include everything, but your bike sounds killer.

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By: Mark https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/07/a-century-of-supercharged-and-turbocharged-motorcycles/#comment-1420696 Mon, 20 Feb 2023 01:37:04 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71254#comment-1420696 Agree with the conclusion on using superchargers for smaller displacement All my cars are turbos. My F150 3.5V6 twin-turbo absolutely blows away a 6.2 liter V8 Raptor in the low-end. Turbo produce an incredible amount of low end torque at low rpms. Would love to see what a 500 supercharger could attain today.

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By: Dave S https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/07/a-century-of-supercharged-and-turbocharged-motorcycles/#comment-1420622 Sun, 19 Feb 2023 07:06:29 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71254#comment-1420622 You should have included the A&A Performance Supercharged 98VFR800 in the aftermarket group. The last dyno run on mine was 176hp @10,500rpm,10psi. I put one of these in my 98VFR 10 years ago, 30k miles on it so far, no problems. Fits right behind the right fairing, can’t even tell it’s in there. Had to replace the stock fuel injectors with ones from CBR1100xx to keep up with the boost at the top RPM. Rides like a normal VFR till the throttle is twisted.

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By: Erik Slaven https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/07/a-century-of-supercharged-and-turbocharged-motorcycles/#comment-1420155 Wed, 15 Feb 2023 06:37:26 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71254#comment-1420155 In reply to Gollum Parker.

I disagree with you on this one. Yes, many aftermarket turbos, etc. are ill-advised, but Kawasaki really nailed this latest generation of superchargers. Compact, no intercooler and torque at the low end that no comparable bike can match. You do have a point that naturally aspirated liter bikes, etc. are fast enough – they definitely are. As a ZH2 owner, however, it’s no gimmick. Perhaps unnecessary, but a whole lot of fun.

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By: Gollum Parker https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/07/a-century-of-supercharged-and-turbocharged-motorcycles/#comment-1419695 Sun, 12 Feb 2023 05:57:10 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71254#comment-1419695 Motorcycles already make more than enough power without resorting to forced induction. Turbo/Supercharging is really a gimmick in the motorcycle world and most riders steer clear of these bikes.

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By: Erik Slaven https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/07/a-century-of-supercharged-and-turbocharged-motorcycles/#comment-1419264 Thu, 09 Feb 2023 17:42:12 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71254#comment-1419264 In reply to George Washington.

The ZH2 is definitely competitive in price and the centrifugal supercharger is impressive with heat management. I can see this potentially trickling down to some middleweight bikes without sticker shock.

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By: Erik Slaven https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/07/a-century-of-supercharged-and-turbocharged-motorcycles/#comment-1419261 Thu, 09 Feb 2023 17:36:40 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71254#comment-1419261 In reply to Torch.

I considered the Z1R-TC the first “factory” turbo as it was a factory authorized conversion, not a dealership add on. I also made the comparison and argument with the Honda.

The “early fuel injection” comment was simply referring to the fact that it was relatively early for bikes to have fuel injection, not that it was “primitive.” The upgraded 650 also had persistent turbo lag, but was much improved. As far as the stator replacement, I kept these a bit general as I tried to keep the article at a readable length.

The XJ650 was listed by the factory at 90hp (technically 87.4 on average). Of course, at the crank.

The XN85 was limited as all turbo models back in the day. Production ran from 1983 to 1985. I referred to it as being the “most successful” as it was technically on the market globally a couple of years after production stopped. In the US, it was less successful with only 300 units from the first batch, replaced by the GS750ES. Calling it the “most successful” model was a stretch in hindsight.

Thanks for going through the article and I appreciate the feedback!

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By: Erik Slaven https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/07/a-century-of-supercharged-and-turbocharged-motorcycles/#comment-1419251 Thu, 09 Feb 2023 17:05:08 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71254#comment-1419251 In reply to GSJonnie.

Very cool.

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