• Why use a supercharger instead of a turbo?
• Aren't turbos free power?
• Will the supercharger affect my engine's durability?
• Does the supercharger affect everyday rideability?
• Can I install the supercharger kit myself?
• What will happen to my gas mileage?
• What kind of fuel do I need to run?
• How loud is the supercharger system?
• Do I need to change my gearing/brakes/etc.?
• How hard is it to return my vehicle to stock configuration?
• What's up with the bull logo?
Why use a supercharger instead of a turbo?
Adding forced induction to any vehicle is always a balancing act, with required packaging, desired performance characteristics, and ease of installation being paramount design aspects of a well-engineered kit. Keeping this in mind, the compact Rotrex centrifugal supercharger is an excellent match for today's modern sportbikes.
For starters, there is absolutely no lag with a supercharger. None. Nada. When you open that throttle, expect instant response. There is no turbine to spool up, and no surprises from the boost kicking in. The pulley ratio, rpm of the engine, and throttle position determine how much boost your engine sees. Because of this, tuning is very consistent and unchanging.
The small size of the Rotrex allows for a clean, tidy install that does not hinder cornering clearance or leave parts sticking far outside the bike. Radiated heat is not even a factor, and required maintenance is low. No major exhaust changes are needed, and the tuning does not rely on rising rate fuel pressure regulators. These same things cannot be said for the majority of turbo installs.
To sum up, a supercharger gives you instant throttle response and seamless operation with a controllable powerband, all the while offering exceptional performance from a small, stealthy package.
Short answer — no. All forms of forced induction extract air from the atmosphere and force it into your engine at a greater rate than it normally uses. This act of compression requires a certain amount of power to accomplish, regardless of the type of device doing the pumping work. Therefore, any inefficiencies cause this pumping loss to become greater and eat up more horsepower.
Where turbos have an advantage over a supercharger is in their ability to reclaim some of the thermal energy that is otherwise wasted exiting the exhaust and then use it to compress the air. This is not totally free power, though, as turbos can generate significant backpressure and irregular pulses in the exhaust, reducing engine efficiency and therefore costing horsepower.
Luckily for us the Rotrex is the most efficient centrifugal supercharger available. Boasting a 96% efficiency rating for the gearbox along with its very high (150,000rpm) impeller speeds, the overall compressor efficiency matches that of most turbos, minimizing power loss and reducing intake temperatures.
So, while a turbo has a greater power potential than a comparable supercharger, on the street, and especially on sportbike applications, this is not (and should not be) the most important factor.
Will the supercharger affect my engine's durability?
For all intents and purposes, durability is unchanged. How can that be? Well, consider that for the vast majority of time spent riding, the engine does not even see boost (thanks to the vacuum operated bypass valve), which means that cruising and light acceleration conditions are unchanged from the stock setup.
Remember, the #1 killer of forced induction engines is detonation/pre-ignition. As long as the proper octane fuel is used, this is not an issue with A&A supercharger kits, as proper tuning and air/fuel ratios have been carefully worked out in advance to negate this scenario.
The boost curve of the centrifugal is also very easy on the drivetrain. Torque kills components, but since the supercharger builds boost in a linear manner, there isn't an overabundance of torque down low. Plus, keep in mind that the acceleration forces of the rod & piston moving up and down 200 times per second @ 12000rpm far outweigh the forces of increased combustion activity.
Running quality fluids, sticking to maintenance schedules, and riding in an intelligent manner will ensure solid performance for years to come.
Does the supercharger affect everyday rideability?
Not at all. In normal riding situations you can't even tell the supercharger is there. Low throttle openings cause any additional airflow from the supercharger to be vented; it is only by liberally opening the throttle that the boost comes into play.
Can I install the supercharger kit myself?
If you have the skills necessary to change a spark plug and drain your oil, you should be capable of installing a supercharger kit. Step-by-step instructions are provided and the kits are as complete as possible.
In some cases non-standard tools may be required and fairings may have to be cut, but these kits were designed to be bolted together by anyone with a modicum of mechanical ability. Grab a friend to help and the actual install process can be accomplished in a day's time.
What will happen to my gas mileage?
This depends solely on how you ride your bike. You can't have more power without adding more fuel, so if you decide to go out and really let 'er rip, of course mileage will suffer. Having said that, since boost is bypassed during low throttle opening situations (when engine vacuum is present), cruising and normal riding will not be affected at all by the supercharger, and you should see nearly identical mileage to stock.
What kind of fuel do I need to run?
These kits are designed to run on 93 octane (R+M)/2 or equivalent. If you intend on spending a considerable amount of time in boost (racing situations, an extended dyno session, etc.) or do not have access to high-octane gasoline, you might want to use an MMT-based octane booster. We have had good results with the Lucas brand octane booster.
How loud is the supercharger system?
Almost imperceptible. At full tilt there is a slight whistling/whooshing sound generated by the Rotrex, but since there are no gears spinning, there is no whine. The belt cannot be detected, and the only other sounds present are the short pssst of the blow-off valve when letting off the throttle and the sound of air being bypassed through the valve. If you like stealth, this is the system for you.
Do I need to change my gearing/brakes/etc.?
Nope, unless of course your components are in poor shape. The only required internal mods are stronger clutch springs for your stock clutch, and these are included in the kit. The most important change you will need to make is a mental one; your bike becomes capable of significantly higher performance, and you need to be ready to deal with this increase of power by braking earlier, practicing greater throttle control, and packing a clean pair of shorts (just kidding).
How hard is it to return my vehicle to stock configuration?
As long as you remove the original parts with care, it will not be hard at all. Our kits are designed to mount-up using stock hole locations and be as minimally invasive as possible. The only remnants of the kit might be slightly trimmed fairing panels and an odd hole in a non-structural portion of the frame. All stock components can be bolted right back into their original locations and will function as the factory intended.
The bull comes from an old, beloved nickname – Toro. It symbolizes this company and its products perhaps better than words alone can describe: hard-hitting, powerful, tough, and full of passion.
Once you ride an A&A Performance-equipped bike, you'll understand.