At Honda, in its trail range, there is a good Africa Twin 1100 which, however, surrenders to more established adventurers. These include, for example, the BMW R1250 GS, or the KTM 1290 Super Adventure, the list being far from exhaustive. To get them, we would have to study a new engine and review everything else. Or not… Because there is also the magic of overeating. On a trail? A patent from the brand reveals that the idea is not preposterous…
Motorcycles that have adopted supercharging are quite rare these days. Exceptions found in Kawasaki with its endearing H2. In the past, there have been turbo engines on motorcycles. Today, it is the volumetric compressor that is required. It works differently, but it is also more manageable because it works on the torque value with good progressiveness when you have two wheels and handlebars...
It is on this technique that Honda worked as shown in the patent sketches unearthed by the site Bike social. The goal is to produce the effect at low revs. Another novelty of this engine Honda is that it uses a double injection system, direct and indirect, a technology used in the automotive world which seeks maximum engine performance with as few emissions as possible.
A project that has all its relevance
In this way, the fuel injector for each cylinder is kept mounted just below the throttle valves, as in the current african twin. But, in addition, there is a second injector which acts directly on the combustion chamber, using an additional pump driven by the camshaft. This way it provides more fuel pressure, allowing the gasoline to atomize instantly.
Thanks to this dual injection system, better engine performance, lower fuel consumption and lower emissions are achieved. And thanks to the compressor, the power currently between 90 and 110 hp could take between 125 et 150 ch more easily, with a torque of no less than 130 No.
With this Honda Africa Twin supercharged, the Japanese brand would reach an important segment where it is today conspicuous by its absence, that of the maxitrail. It would start from a model which is already a best-seller and with an engine which would not have to be completely new, but derived from the current 1100. The project therefore has all its relevance. To be continued…
