Lets talk about the next gen superbike

Got a little drunk the other night talking with some fellow riders about what the next generation of superbikes are going to be like. Granted this is purely speculation and just where I think the superbike market will go.
1. Electronic suspension getting better. I believe we will keep seeing this on the new bikes and have it tied in more with ABS and traction control systems. It's the best way to create an all around bike that can rip at the track and be set up for any condition of road riding

2. Carbon fiber fever. Carbon fiber being used in more and more applications. Look at the BMW hp4 race, carbon wheels and a carbon frame. I'm willing to bet BMW is looking to mass produce this since they already have a system in place for it with the i3 and i8 cars. Even the 1299 SL where the heaviest single part is the crankshaft. I was reading the other day about the joint venture. Between Lamborghini and Boeing developing new materials with carbon fiber. The lambo sesto elemento is a product of that. I've been to the office in Seattle and it's impressive. I've also been reading they are trying to develop engine internals and other parts from carbon composite materials. I'm sure the trickle down will take some time but it's impressive.

3. Electric bikes are coming, but imagine if a bike had a form of KERS system......

Re: electronic suspension, If it goes like Bentley, adjustments based on gps, as well as the current real-time on-board sensor inputs and assuming future interoperability between all of the vehicles using the same patch of road it will probably have as much resolution as we can use at the posted speed limits.

Onboard tire pressure/temperature monitoring. Surprised this hasn't been done yet since the technology has been around for awhile.

Cruise control. It's already being used on touring bikes and is a nice comfort feature.

More use of titanium and magnesium.

HiSpeed48 said:

Onboard tire pressure/temperature monitoring. Surprised this hasn't been done yet since the technology has been around for awhile.

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Funny you should mention that. I've been considering a set of these for my track bike. I saw them on the Moto2 bikes in Austin.

0...10bar high temperature - 2D Debus & Diebold Meßsysteme GmbH

The future is more and more electronic intervention to the point where it completely takes the rider out of the equation. Just look at those engineering exercises that the bikes already self balance at stops. Pretty soon the only thrill will be like that of a roller coaster where the rider will just be doing his best to hold on for the ride. Glad I won't be around for this. Adding KERS to the bikes will just be adding more weight again.
Sometimes what's called progress really isn't in my opinion.

Twistedracer said:

The future is more and more electronic intervention to the point where it completely takes the rider out of the equation. Just look at those engineering exercises that the bikes already self balance at stops. Pretty soon the only thrill will be like that of a roller coaster where the rider will just be doing his best to hold on for the ride. Glad I won't be around for this. Adding KERS to the bikes will just be adding more weight again.
Sometimes what's called progress really isn't in my opinion.

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Says the guy with one of the most electronically advanced bikes on the market?

I 100% agree that at some point obviously it will be too much. But a purist in 1975 (or even 2000) probably would have also said that the rider aids on your 1299 SA are blasfemic.

Not trying to start beef at all I'm just trying to put it in perspective. Times change.

adrian7 said:

Says the guy with one of the most electronically advanced bikes on the market?

I 100% agree that at some point obviously it will be too much. But a purist in 1975 (or even 2000) probably would have also said that the rider aids on your 1299 SA are blasfemic.

Not trying to start beef at all I'm just trying to put it in perspective. Times change.

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HUH!! They didn't have 205 HP in 1975. Tires were shit and brakes even worse. Suspension was a joke. Leaning past 45 degrees. Even the race pro's say the electronics are a very much needed on todays superbikes. But being stupid can still kill you and you still have to use learned skills to go REALLY fast. Once you remove those essential skills from the riding experience by using more advanced electronics you will also have killed motorcycling...The passion will be gone!

Autonomous electric cars and motorcycles will be around in 20-30 years. Might as well just ride the bus or train. What's the fun in that?

lets just hope the off button still exists

whatever they do, just fix the volcano seat! bike is close to impossible to ride when temps are above 80F.

I think there is a lot that could be improved already. Some of it already exists, if it doesn't then the tech is already there, I'm not talking rider aids either.

A USB port for starters. Whether you use that for a phone charger, heated vest, whatever it's a start.

TFT screen should be touch screen instead of clunking through with an up/down button. Before you bang on about cost, a decent smart phone costs £500 so to have an extra £300 translate into the price of a £20k bike is nothing.

DDA should be integrated and stream to a mobile device with an app via Bluetooth. You shouldn't need to lug a laptop around to a track day.

Although I don't want it personally, I'm also surprised we don't have flappy paddle gear shift. I'm happy with conventional clutchless shifting, but imagine push button gear changes in MotoGP, that would be phenomenal

A rear view screen just above the dash and camera setup instead of shit mirrors that don't work worth a feck.

I see this being more of a heads up display in helmet. But damn it will be nice

- Transmission to be either seamless or Dual-clutch setup.
- Ducati to use direct injection and DVT in superbike. Forced induction will start coming back in bikes more & more.
- more intergration with dash/smartphone ie: selected different ECU tunes, adjust electronic settings and simple save them in dash as presets. Being able to adjust the throttle curve (linear or expo.)
-being able to turn off said electronics completely (not half off like some brands do)
- more and more use of exotic materials

Think one of the biggest things, specialy with Ducati, is fix the build quality problems.

DStyleNZL said:

- more intergration with dash/smartphone ie: selected different ECU tunes, adjust electronic settings and simple save them in dash as presets. Being able to adjust the throttle curve (linear or expo.)
-being able to turn off said electronics completely (not half off like some brands do)

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Mate of mine can do this with a Harley!! Ducati should of had this years ago

auto balancing motorcycles?

imagine, no more embarrassing tip overs in your own garage.

Steveo said:

A rear view screen just above the dash and camera setup instead of shit mirrors that don't work worth a feck.

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what are mirrors? can someone explain

mark419ny said:

what are mirrors? can someone explain

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Sure. They're those shiny reflective bits that non-squids use for situational awareness.

jyli19 said:

auto balancing motorcycles?

imagine, no more embarrassing tip overs in your own garage.

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