25 years of sportbike development

[Dave]

Originally Posted by smileyman

You are correct Tigger street bikes seldom see the kind of abuse a race engine does and the OEMs have improved tolerances and metallurgy along with far better engine management to allow the 170 and 180 hp levels that are commmon in the liter bike class. However I dont know how much further they can push the powerlevel as titanium engine internals and valve acruation go thru such hi stress. Valve springs and retainers only take so much use even at a low stress street use and the we already have slipper thin pistons, hollow cams, , factory knife edged cranks and polishing...I feel if they do continue on that wew ill see a drop in reliability or at least higher maintenance requirements?!

im with tigger on this one. I believe its currently possible to build that level of power at an oem reliability. I do not however believe that output could be made to pass euro 3, nor do i believe any oem would voluntarily build to those levels in our sue happy society