You might have seen Kawasaki ZX lineup specs and even Ninja H2 line specs that have two power ratings written in them. One is power and the other is maximum power with RAM Air intake! So what is this RAM air intake and how does it increase power up to 10BHP in the same engine and the same motorcycle?
RAM Air Intakes
Let’s divide it into parts, RAM Air & Intake! Intake refers to the breathing of the bike, the air in the combustion chamber mixed with fuel to give power to your ride. RAM Air is air, which is forced into a moving aperture. So while the air enters some object, which is moving very fast, it creates pressure, as a lot of air continuously passes through that system.
The bike ecosystem is very different, in cars, you can fit heavy superchargers and turbochargers, which pressurize the air before going into cylinders. Conversely, motorcycles need to be as light as possible with a greater power-to-weight ratio and agility. So by putting in a turbocharger, you are pressurizing the air, but at the same time air gets hot, and thus to minimize the heat levels, you have to throw an intercooler to make the air cold and denser. Think about throwing all these components on a 1000cc sports machine.
RAM Air intake is the greatest solution for weight reduction and more power from the same machine with the motion of the bike.
ZX10R with front RAM Air Intake apertureSo what’s different in these intakes? – Normally, engines are tuned in a way that when the strokes are taking place, by the momentum and engineering they suck air as much as they want and control the air+fuel mixture to make sure the bike doesn’t stall. While you are idling, more gasoline will go in and less airflow will reach the engine, and at high RPMs with the throttle fully open, proper air+fuel mixture flow will be maintained.
Now that’s a normal thing, but with ramair, things move toward the engineering and design side. Engineers find the perfect spot to put fresh air intake where most air impact occurs. Normally it’s in the front of the motorcycle where high-pressure ram air will make its way to the bike’s engine. So, when the motorcycle is moving at a certain speed and the engine is moving at desired RPMs, the air will be rammed in the airbox and will be pressurized higher than a normal naturally aspirated one, which means more air will be available for the engine to burn.
While acceleration, high pressure in the front of the air due to increased air pressure and vacuum in the chamber brings more air via the intake manifold. The internal combustion engine will produce more engine power with higher pressure and high density air. Compared to the normal carburetor and naturally aspirated engine, the ram-air brings noticeable high flow, more torque, more functionality, and high speed as well.
More air means more oxygen, proper mixture, good combustion, better fuel economy, and excellent performance. So instead of going higher side on weight and all, RAM Air intakes make motorcycles light, reliable (with lesser moving parts) & powerful!
What are the benefits of having a RAM air intake in a motorcycle?
A motorcycle ram air intake system is designed to increase the amount of air that is drawn into the engine. This can have various benefits that include:
- Better power delivery: More air means more pressure inside, which can help the engine generate more power per cylinder.
- Better fuel efficiency: With more oxygen available, the engine can burn fuel way more effectively, leading to improved fuel efficiency.
- Greater throttle response: A ram air intake system can help the engine respond more quickly to changes in throttle input, providing a more immediate and responsive feel. Also, motorcycles coming up with such a system would generally gain ride-by-wire fueling technique, leading to better control of throttle response.
- Helps in engine cooling: The increased airflow provided by this intake system can help keep the engine block cooler while running at higher RPMs, potentially reducing the risk of overheating and reduced power.
It’s worth noting that the benefits of a ram air intake system can vary depending on the specific design of the system and the type of motorcycle it is installed on. In some cases, the benefits may be minimal or even nonexistent, but in some performance motorcycles and highway speeds, it will do justice to your investments.
Generally, the production motorcycles have good intake design and aerodynamic body installation that will accommodate a good fairing and fuel tank. As motorcycle manufacturers push the limits of how faster and quicker a motorcycle can go, the implementation of forced induction techniques like turbochargers and superchargers are also making their way into motorcycle engines.
