inline fours

bikerdudeQC · Post by **bikerdudeQC** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:27 am

Dallara and other's have writen a few times about not liking inline fours. The only inline four that I have any experience with is the one that's in my toyota echo. The differences that I've gathered from this board are less engine braking, running at higher RPMs, and less vibration. What else is different.

Also curious about the differences between inline and V fours.

Thanks very much,

Justin

BobFV1 · Post by **BobFV1** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:41 am

I prefer big twins because of the high torque in the low part of the power curve. The "party zone" on an 1150R might be between 6-8000 RPM, on my R1 that is just enought to pull me through a turn at neutral throtte. Party zone on the R1 is up around 10000 - 12000 RPM but when you are there - it is a big party!!!

I prefer a big twin for street and road riding - I like the low-end grunt!

dallara · Post by **dallara** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:26 am

It's all about "feel"...

Inline fours have a very linear, almost electric motor "feel" to the power delivery... Hard to put into words, but they sort of "whizz" you around.

Twins, and V-Fours, have a very different "feel", more like they "pull" you around...

Both are smooth deliveries, but with very, very different character...

To me, any inline four feels like it has to get in it's powerband before anything really happens (even "torquey" ones) and then things happen more quickly and frenetically...

When I used to ride Honda V-Fours there used to be a saying about them... "Honda V-Fours are in the powerband if all four plugs are firing"

Twins and V-Fours feel like they "pull" right from the basement, and gear selection almost doesn't seem to matter... Whereas Inline Fours feel more like they have to be in the proper rev range, and if you are in the wrong gear they need a downshift to "wake 'em up"...

Of course, in reality this isn't really true... They just "feel" that way.

Like I said, it is hard, if not impossible to describe... You just have to try different engine configurations to see what you like best.

Cheers!

Dallara

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:49 am

From an aural perspective, inline 4's are boring. From a character standpoint, inline 4's are boring. From the perspective of immitating a carrier jet takeoff, large inline 4's are absolutely awesome!

For everyday use, make mine a twin. For visits to the track or open highways out west, or in the state of Georgia

give me the 4.

bikerdudeQC · Post by **bikerdudeQC** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:46 pm

thanks guys. Looking forward to the next demo day when I can try it out for myself.

peterbulgar · Post by **peterbulgar** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:58 pm

Of course one of the big advantages of a twin over a four is simplicity - a twin has half as many parts as a four. Why, my 1972 Honda single cam had eight valves and four spark plugs! Uh, never mind.
peter '73 R75/5, '04 R1150RA

Post by **CycleRob** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 8:37 pm

InLine fours lack that indescribable trait we call character. That's what makes them boring. They also will get worse fuel economy if of equal displacement. They usually lack low RPM torque. That's the bad stuff.

The good stuff is: They are smoother by design. They almost always make more power. They need a smaller/lighter starter motor and battery to start them.

Adding to the confusion: Neither twin or four can always claim lower cost to produce, lighter weight, fewer parts, or lower cost tune-ups.

For me, InLine fours are for somebody else. I'm really impressed by the real world useable power, near electric smoothness, phenominal engine braking and uncommon fuel economy of my OilHead twin.

Leno · Post by **Leno** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:28 am

Inline 4's are cheap to make. Any V engine needs more drive chains for the cams, seperat heads, oil feeds, longer inlet tracks and more complicated exhausts just to name a few. But they have better primary balance and in my mind feel better.