Japanese factory bike special
By TMX Archives on 1st Jun 07
SUZUKI will be the first manufacturer to offer electronic fuel injection (EFI) as standard when its 2008 RM-Z450F hits the market later this year.
Both of the marque's Japanese riders at Sugo were riding pre-production models and the previous veil of secrecy was significantly reduced.
Sensors on the radiator and airbox were the only apparant controls, though this obviously runs through a CDI box well-protected against damage.
The Honda EFI system is much more complicated with sensors mounted all over the HRC factory bike, plus an additional switch on the bars which is presumably a manual over-ride designed for the start.
Having finally discarded their wraps of total secrecy, Honda personnel were also a little more open and it is believed that separate mapping is programmed for each gear. The system also functions as anti-stall device.
Interesting also was the fuel tank. As on the Suzuki the tank is aluminium, but the Honda features a membrane breather reminisicent of plane technology rather than the traditional fuel cap.
Suzuki GP race team boss Sylvain Geboers grinned: ''There has been all of this secrecy, but everyone gets the equipment from Keihin.''
For full story and pictures see T+MX NEWS, Friday, June 1, 2007.