Long-time readers may remember my article last year entitled The Sportbike Engine of the Future: Camshaft Design, where I discussed the use of variable valve timing systems and predicted that they would soon appear in the sportbike world. Then, Kawasaki proved me partially right by announcing that they would release a production bike with variable valve timing – a sport-tourer, the Concours 14 (see Kawasaki Brings Variable Valve Timing to the Mainstream with the Concours 14).
Now Kawasaki has released an animated video showing the workings of the variable valve timing system used on the Concours 14, which can be seen most clearly at the Kawasaki web site. It is interesting to finally see which of the available options Kawasaki chose for their new sport-tourer – not a multi-lobe system like Honda’s VTEC (the automotive version), but rather a system that can vary the timing (advance or retard, open and close the valves earlier or later) of the intake camshaft. The sprocket on the end of the camshaft moves the timing forward or backward by means of oil pressure, undoubtedly controlled by a solenoid which is in turn controlled by the ECU. This should be a major help for Kawasaki in getting the bike past the latest emissions regulations, while at the same time improving power across the board and also offering increased fuel economy.
Given the displacement of the Concours’ engine and the low-end torque already available in ZX-14 tune, it is reasonable to assume Kawasaki’s primary reasons for employing the variable valve timing were improved emissions and fuel economy. Will the Concours combine class-leading engine performance and outstanding fuel economy? Stay tuned for MD’s test of this exciting new model.
