tonym

Is it right that you can't tell what rpms a wankel engine is doing (i.e. engine tone stays constant thru the rpm range). A mate just told me that - it can't be true can it?
If it is, then isn't it a bit of a pain having to keep looking at the rev counter to work out what your rpms are?

lpitt

No it's not correct.

The engine tone gets higher. What doesn't happen is that it sounds smooth and quiet right through the range and doesn't really get any louder right up to the 9k cutoff

Laurence

chris p1

But it does have a buzzer to tell you when it's time to change gear

Mungo

They definitely get louder - anyone who witnessed the Mazdas winning at Le Mans will verify that! One of THE best noises in motorsport.

wrx03ppp

Anbody else heard the two works JPS Norton rotarys on full chat at the Isle of Man? Awesome noise.

NotoriousREV

Didn't hear the Nortons at the IOM but watched Robert Dunlop thrash one as a demo at the British 500GP back in '92-ish. Fantastic noise and spitting flames like a goodun

wrx03ppp

There's a Welsh guy been running a Norton wankel at the MGP for the last few years. I seem to remember that he bought it from the factory when the receivers went in. I reckon he should an award from the National Trust for keeping it going. That thing makes so much noise it's unreal.

And who could forget Steve Hislop's epic TT win on the Norton?

Whilst on the subject, anyone remember the DKW/Hercules? Or even worse the Suzuki RE5?

mikelmr

the noise does change ... its just not as dramatic as a piston engine.

brickboy

Suzi RE5 & DKW 2000? Oooooh yes. Nearly bought a Deek a couple of years ago in a fit of madness, it was good cosmetically but the engine was stuck .... the guy still wanted a grand for it and wouldn't budge.

I'd love to have a go on a Norton Classic rotary -- apparently they're a very, very good bike.