Kawasaki ZX-15 | Coming Soon?

[Kermit]

Recent power increases in 1000cc superbikes, many of which now produce nearly 200 crankshaft horsepower, have created a problem for hyperbikes like the Kawasaki ZX-14 and Suzuki Hayabusa. Once the flnal word in top speed and fiat-out acceleration, these road-burning behemoths are now regularly outperformed by lighter, nimbler literbikes in a straight line as well as around corners. The solution? Take advantage of the fact that unlimited-class machines have no race regulations to conform to and add a huge extra dollop of power in the form of a supercharger.

No fewer than four new patent documents reveal that Kawasaki is working on a supercharged four-cylinder motorcycle as a potential replacement for the ZX-14. One, titled “Two-wheeled motor vehicle with supercharger,” covers the overall layout of the bike. The supercharger is located behind the cylinder block and underneath the throttle bodies, and gear-driven directly off the crankshaft. Fresh air enters between the headlights, then runs over the engine and down to the supercharger, where it’s compressed and fed back to the throttle bodies.

This is not uncharted territory for Kawasaki. The firm already uses a remarkably similar supercharged four-cylinder engine in its Ultra 300X personal watercraft. With a slightly larger, 1500cc capacity and an intercooler attached to the supercharger, the Ultra 300X is rated at 300 bhp. Even without an intercooler—no evidence of any is shown in the motorcycle patent documents—a supercharged ZX-15 should still produce at least 250 bhp at modest, reliable boost levels.

A supercharged streetbike has been rumored to be under development at Kawasaki since 2009, and this year there are already rumblings in the Japanese press that the ZX-14 will be replaced and/or updated for the 2012 model year. This could be the perfect opportunity to add the supercharged version to the range. Relatively low development costs—adding forced induction to an existing engine is far cheaper than developing an entirely new powerplant—makes this an even more likely situation. Still struggling against a depressed sales environment, Japanese manufacturers like Kawasaki are looking for every opportunity to create excitement without incurring excessive expenses.

[MAXUMIS]

It could look like this?


They say there bringing out the 10R supercharged as well in 2015 , its getting to a point of having to use forced induction for reliability factors these days..
There jet sky 1500 (supercharged) is the same basic design as the 14's engine , it can even bolt a 12R head on it from what I have been told .

[BrettZZR]

Appears from that sketch above that the engine has reverse rotation?!!

[Stuzrx]

Appears from that sketch above that the engine has reverse rotation?!!

What is the indication there Brett??

[Jonno]

You either didint read the article or your taking the piss?

A supercharged streetbike has been rumored to be under development at Kawasaki since 2009, and this year there are already rumblings in the Japanese press that the ZX-14 will be replaced and/or updated for the 2012 model year.

Last i checked the current year is 2013


Rumours like this one have been around since the jetski shared simular technology with the ZX12R engine (2000-2007) and probably ever since the GPZ750 (they put turbo's on everything in the 1980's)

However the hyperbike speed wars are over with the 299kmph limiters now in place and sure they may have patented it but it doesnt mean they will do it as it would add weight and all kinds of undesirable effects in a sportsbike.

[BrettZZR]

Appears from that sketch above that the engine has reverse rotation?!!

What is the indication there Brett??

To get the blower turning the right way (red)
needs the chain drive (green) turning anti-clock
which by the gear drive seems to have the (blue) crank reverese rotation?


Maybe I'm missing something.

(-8

[dickfaber]

Appears from that sketch above that the engine has reverse rotation?!!

What is the indication there Brett??

To get the blower turning the right way (red)
needs the chain drive (green) turning anti-clock
which by the gear drive seems to have the (blue) crank reverese rotation?


Maybe I'm missing something.

(-8

thats assuming its a centrifugal blower (like a hairdryer of half a turbo). a rootes blower (like a gm6/71) or a screw blower (like a psi) would turn the other way, meaning the engine would turn the usual way

[Gosling1]

.....thats assuming its a centrifugal blower (like a hairdryer of half a turbo). a rootes blower (like a gm6/71) or a screw blower (like a psi) would turn the other way, meaning the engine would turn the usual way.....

How do you work that out ? Any type of forced induction has to push the air into the motor, not suck it out. If you reversed the direction of the rotor in that picture to clockwise (ie - turning the other way so the engine rotation is 'normal' or anti-clockwise) - then in which direction is the airflow going to move ? Its going to move the air out of the motor, not in.

Having the crank rotate clockwise (ie - backwards) is not that unusual anyway - its been done in a few motors to improve handling (allegedly) as the crank rotation in this direction is supposed to stop the front end from lifting ? Sounds dodgy to me - but the concept of the crank rotating backwards and not forwards is certainly achievable.

.... and probably ever since the GPZ750 (they put turbo's on everything in the 1980's)....

well, not quite *everything* only 4 bikes had OEM turbos. GPz750, CX500, some dodgy 650 Suzuki and the hideously ugly 650 Yamaha. Turbo technology on bikes lasted all of about 3 years - 1985-87. All gone after that.....

[Jonno]

.... and probably ever since the GPZ750 (they put turbo's on everything in the 1980's)....

well, not quite *everything* only 4 bikes had OEM turbos. GPz750, CX500, some dodgy 650 Suzuki and the hideously ugly 650 Yamaha. Turbo technology on bikes lasted all of about 3 years - 1985-87. All gone after that.....

Not just bikes.