New Honda Africa Twin? For Real? (Italian Translator wanted!)

[MrKiwi]

Quite right MrKiwi. I thought I posted that but my battery died and I forgot.
While on the configuration subject, are you as annoyed as I am by the current misuse of 'in-line' by the twitterati of the moto media? What used to be called a 'straight' engine is now called 'in line', regardless of its orientation in the frame, ie, most Japanese multi cylinders being 'transverse' engined and definitely not 'in line'.
I'm a bit pedantic about English and it winds me up as much as some Americans saying 'Nucular'.

At least we are secure with our 'Vee twins': from the crank throw, are they 'in line'? I think Guzzis are transverse but somebody argued cranks with me.

Yes I agree, the in-line is a short hand to say the cylinders are next to each in a straight line as opposed to a V configuration.  However, to be technically correct it would be transverse in-line motor.  Eg my Triumph Tiger 955 is an in-line 3 cylinder transversely mounted motor.  The V configurations are mounted in line (varadero, KTM) or transversely (Moto Guzzi).

I'm not sure why cranks would matter in deciding if the motor is mounted in-line or transversely?

I sincerely hope the new Africa Twin comes to fruition, if so I'm going to wait to see what comes of it, otherwise I am sorely tempted to buy as KTM.  Cheers from downunder, south of the border... 

[Two Plugs]

The pics shown by Magnus on the previous page, are ancient. 

The first pic was originally published in a 1998 MOTORRAD magazine. It was the year on which the XL1000V Varadero was revealed at the Munich Intermot Motorcycle exhibition.
The 2nd pic shows a little text 'design by' but that is really a rip-off. It was drawn by Varadero International Admin and boardmember Ratman and published on the previous forum.

Non of them reveal any clues how the new Africa Twin will look eventually. The only bike which does, is already existing: the 450cc bike on which Honda competed in the Dakar last January.

[Bønne]

So, we´re back to the twin/parallel discussion 

parallel twins has little to do with the timing of pistons firing.

Well, that´s exactly what it´s all about. It´s not two cylinders beside each other that define a
parallel-twin, that only makes it a twin.
In a parallel-twin it´s the two pistons following each other up and down that defines it, as they
work in parallel.
So, if rumers are true, the new Africa Twin will still be a Twin, not an Africa Parallel.

According to the in-line/transverse relating to the frame, discussion, it´s the crankshaft and only the
crankshaft that defines the direction of the engine. It doesn´t matter weather it´s a V-, Boxer- or a
Straight-engine.
That means that the Guzzi, BMuu Boxer, GoldWing, CX and ST1100/1300 all are in-line with
the frame, while the Varadero, CBR/F, NC, and VFR all are transverse to the frame.

If it wasn´t so, how on earth would you define this one?! 

[jackyork]

As we've said @Bonne, it's a conundrum. Would you say that that radial is mounted 'in line'? Or that a Morris Mini Minor didn't have a transverse engine?
I think rather than 'crankshaft', it's often a matter of 'length or breadth'.
All 'grist to the mill'...how does that translate?

JK

[Bønne]

As we've said @Bonne, it's a conundrum. Would you say that that radial is mounted 'in line'? Or that a Morris Mini Minor didn't have a transverse engine?
I think rather than 'crankshaft', it's often a matter of 'length or breadth'.

No, it´s not a conundrum. In "engine language" it has always been so. And yes, that radial engine is mounted in-line, as the crankshaft
is in-line with the frame 

In the Morris Minor the engine is mounted in-line:


But in the Morris Mini it´s mounted transverse:

[jackyork]

@Bonne. we're back to the start, about commentators calling the MGP Yamaha etc. 'In Line' engines. They are 'straight' and transverse; like the Mini.
...And by the strict definition you use, the Vara is a transverse Vee and the Guzzi 'in line'.

JK

[jackyork]

PS. Parallel is the cylinder configuration; the pistons are parallel what ever their relative positions. That's geometry.

[MrKiwi]

I have to respectfully disagree, I stand by my original comments not that it matters one iota...

[jackyork]

I defend to the last, your right to disagree!

JK

[Bønne]

Glad to hear that jackyork, as long as it´s only verbally...because, I´m against violence...that I will fight for to the last drop of blood!!!

[jackyork]

@Bonne, chivalry is not dead here in UK.

Here's one I saw today, 21,000 km. euro 5,.660 . Maybe for Bernard's collection? Nice registration number too.

JK

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[Two Plugs]

My Honda agent received a very, very nice MK1 Transalp yesterday... Tempted, but I could resist... 

[Two Plugs]

Tataaa!

[zebulon]

Funny project ! 

[SB]

Seeing Two Plugs on a GROM would be amusing 

It's a learners mini-bike.

The seat is only 75cm high !

http://powersports.honda.com/2014/grom.aspx