Darn you Honda

[the Ferret]

I agree

I dont really care for the " character" designed to mimic a V twin in my NCs 270 degree P Twin. They could have made it smooth if they wanted to. If I wanted a V Twin, I'd have bought a VTwin.

[Gone in 60]

Funny how the word "character" is so often used to describe 270 degree twins. I use it when people ask me why I have two bikes with parallel twins. Well, one of them is a 270, so it has more character.

[Ollie]

I quite like 270* parallel twins, never much cared for 180's. The Versys 300 I had incorporated a 180 twin and it just sounded meh and had little in the way of mid-range, everything was up top. Even taking into account that it's larger, the Tenere 700 engine is delightfully torquey and while it's stock quiet, sounds much nicer IMO.

When was the last new 180* parallel twin engine introduced?

[GoldOxide_imp]

I like my 270 degree Honda Africa Twin. Power is instantly demonstrated from idle, unlike say a V85TT which behaves much differently from idle - perhaps almost wheezy like if you are too gentle.

[Tev62]

I would never buy a chain drive sport tourer.

You might think again, shaft drive maintenance is becoming a thing now

The Shaft Drive Maintenance on my 2018 Triumph Tiger 1200 was replace the oil in it on first service only then sealed thereon.

The Shaft Drive Maintenance on the 2023 Triumph Tiger 1200 is to replace the oil in it every two years regardless of mileage.

The Shaft Drive Maintenance on my 2023 BMW GS1250 is to replace the oil in the rear bevel gears every 12,000 miles.

The Shaft Drive Maintenance on the 2024 BMW GS1300 is to replace the oil in the rear bevel gears every 12,000 miles. and open up the shaft drive and visually inspect & lubricate the universal shaft every 12,000 miles and Replace the Shaft Drive at 48,000 miles.

There's progress for you.

None listed are Japanese.

Never had to worry about a Japanese final shaft drive. I had many and they never failed, leaked, nor did any of my riding peers who had one experience any sort of failure. I usually neglected the shaft drive maintenance schedule, and sometimes the oil coming out looked really decomposed. Nonetheless, new oil in and riding continued.

I expect the same from my V85TT.

The said bikes don't have sophisticated final shaft drives perhaps compared to the ones you listed Tev. Maybe simplicity has something to do with it. Dunno.

I think you may be right on the simplicity front plus the fact they were not mated to 150HP engines!

I cannot believe BMW intentionally meant for the shaft to be changed at 48K miles when they first conceived the new bike but found out once long term testing confirmed the excessive wear. The whole engine/gearbox/drivetrain is new and that long travel suspension must put some amount of strain on it.

[the Ferret]

I quite like 270* parallel twins, never much cared for 180's. The Versys 300 I had incorporated a 180 twin and it just sounded meh and had little in the way of mid-range, everything was up top. Even taking into account that it's larger, the Tenere 700 engine is delightfully torquey and while it's stock quiet, sounds much nicer IMO.

When was the last new 180* parallel twin engine introduced?

My 2003 790 Bonneville with a 360 degree P Twin and counter balancers was a gem of a motor, very smooth, as smooth or smoother than the CB 1100's I-4, and it sounded fine imo.

By NC 750 and my brother's 2016 Triumph Bonneville 1200 both have the throbby 270 degree induced character P twins and "to me" they are very annoying to ride.

Seem most of the manufacturers are on a chain drive, 270 degree P Twin kick right now. Cheap to build, they don't have to smooth them out, and they are selling because there are few other choices available

[Ollie]

Yeah I can't recall the last 180 degree parallel twin? Was the old NC700 a 180?

I've been a fan of shaft drive motorcycles since my first one in 1973, but only for longitudinal engines like BMW R bikes, Guzzi twins, CX500/650, etc. since the engine is already turning the same direction as the shaft. Never much cared for the idea of using a shaft on a transverse engine which then requires a bevel set to turn power 90*.

OTOH chains have become ridiculously easy to maintain and can last as long as BMW's driveshafts! LOL. Well maybe I'm exaggerating, but still I remember when lubing after every ride and adjusting after every other ride or so was the norm. Now just give it a wipe and lube every 500 miles or so and forget about adjusting, just do so when changing the rear tire. I've not replaced a chain since 2009 when I replaced the original crappy one on my 2005 DR650.
A friend just replaced the original chain and sprockets on his KTM 1190 at 42,000 miles because he detected a slight vibration or surge at very low speed, plus he felt it was time. He said the sprockets and chain looked fine but the slight surge is now gone.

In all honesty of all the bikes I've owned the drive system that was probably the best; quiet, no cleaning or lube, almost never adjust, good for 90,000+ miles, were the belt drive Harleys.

[GoldOxide_imp]

90,000+ miles on a HD belt drive is remarkable. I don't think Yamaha can consistently claim that.

[misterprofessionality]

Found this for you Ferret....so you can pine more.

https://youtu.be/vQEkYmlaiOI?si=RQC2twrfNhSmGy_u

[the Ferret]

Thanks Mr P