ENGINE DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
A major step in Triumph’s Moto2 2019 season race engine development program came last week with the second track test at the Ciudad del Motor de Aragón.
Following on from the extensive factory test program, Julian Simon, 2009 125cc World Champion, Moto2 runner-up and experienced Moto2 test rider, put the Triumph engine development prototype through its paces.
Coming mid-way through the engine development program, this successful track shake down test provided essential data input into the performance and durability evaluation program.
Initial feedback from the test shows that the development program is progressing positively and that we are well on schedule for the handover in June 2018 of the first batch of Moto2 race engines.
In regards to power, torque and durability, we are ahead of our expectations and during the track session saw excellent results, with the bike delivering good, consistent and competitive lap times.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer for Triumph Motorcycles, said; “At this stage of the development program we are in a good place. We are very pleased with the pace that Julian is showing with the latest engine and his feedback has been very positive. We have confidence that we will deliver an engine that the teams will enjoy racing with and a spectacle and sound that will excite the fans.”
Julian Simon, 2009 125cc World Champion, Moto2 runner-up and experienced Moto2 test rider said “I am really happy to be here in Aragón testing the development of the 2019 Moto2 engines with Triumph. I can see there has been a big improvement with the latest engine, giving a great feeling. There’s a lot of power and the gearing is fantastic, and for the sound, this is also fantastic. To me, it’s fun.”
This testing update follows the announcement of Triumph Motorcycles as the exclusive engine supplier to the FIM Moto2 World Championship from the 2019 season onwards.
With a three-year contract with Dorna – the commercial rights holder of MotoGP – Triumph are to supply a dedicated race tuned 765cc Triumph triple engine, based on the powerplant from the all-new MY18 Triumph Street Triple.
The new engine is a significant development of the race-winning Daytona 675R powerplant that has powered Supersport wins at the Isle of Man TT, Daytona 200 and British Supersport Championships in 2014 and 2015.
Based on the highest specification 765cc powerplant from the Street Triple RS it has been developed for Moto2 with the following modifications;
-Modified cylinder head with revised inlet and exhaust ports for optimised gas flow
-Titanium valves and stiffer valve springs for increased rpm
-Low Output race kit alternator for reduced inertia
-Taller 1st gear ratio
-Race developed slipper clutch which will be tuneable
-Specific race ECU; which will be developed with Magneti Marelli
-Revised engine covers for reduced width
-Different sump to allow for improved header run
The engine
Based on the new MY18 Street Triple powerplant, the Triumph Moto2 765cc triple engine has been developed and tuned for a major step up in power and torque.
In ‘road’ set-up the new 765cc engine delivers the highest ever level of performance for a Street Triple; delivering power of 121HP @ 11,750 rpm and 56.8 Ft-lbs. torque @ 10,800 rpm. It has more than 80 new parts compared to the previous generation engine, including an increase to the bore and stroke. All-new engine components include;
-new crank
-new pistons
-new con-rods and balancer shaft
-Nikasil plated aluminium barrels
-Revised gearbox
The race specification Triumph 765cc Moto2 engine has been developed further to allow the engine to breathe more freely and rev harder than the production bike; increasing overall performance. Other changes have been made specifically to adapt the engine for race use.