Forced induction is not new to Honda motorcycles, going back to the eighties with the Honda CX-series turbocharged twins. But, is supercharging now on the cards for Honda, going by some patent drawings that have emerged on various websites?
When the Kawasaki H2 hyperbike hit the market, it was the first production motorcycle with supercharging, quite capable of running down to the shops or crossing a bridge at over 400 km/h. There is another reason for forced induction in motorcycles though, and that is emissions control.
From the Honda patent drawings, a belt-driven supercharger is driven up the left side of the engine. According to reports, this particular supercharger configuration is easily applied to engines across both middle-weight and litre-class motorcycles.
Of note is the plumbing for the front-mounted, (probable) two-row intercooler, with the blower itself installed behind the cylinder bank. The intake path then heads into the airbox, with the throttle body mounted directly above the engine’s inlet.
Out of the Japanese big four, only Kawasaki has come to market with forced induction, although Suzuki is rumoured to be looking at supercharging for the next-generation Suzuki Hayabusa. With Honda now filing a patent for a supercharged motorcycle engine, it makes us wonder what Yamaha might have up its sleeve.
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Looks like a positive displacement type supercharger, Kawasaki H2 use centrifugal type supercharger.
Pretty much you can guess the application. Roots/Eaton/screw supercharges are meant for low rpm, high torque applications. Centrifugal supercharges work better for high RPM application like those on the the H2 hyperbike.
Probably meant for its cruisers and tourers and due to emmisions. If Honda downsizes its car engines, im sure the Goldwing’s 1800cc F6 is going the way of the dodo.
The inclusion of what looks to be an air to water intercooler probably re-inforces that idea as well.
Mr author, belt driving the supercharge will be outside the engine?
It would be interesting to know what exactly is patented, as for example BMW already used a supercharger in 1929 in it’s WR 750? (“WR” = “Werksrennmaschine” = “Factory racer”)
Motive for Supercharging is to gain more power/torque or to meet the stringent emission standard?
Kawasaki H2 is euro 4 certified
If it mean that going supercharged give benefit in term of extra power and let lower exhaust emission why not?
If belt driven then must be those vultus variant
My concern if they can supercharged lower displacement say 250cc, and sold at reasonable price then it’s a hit
best la. Where can I add supercharge to my Modenas?