Suzuki 60hp 4 Stroke

[stingray]

Strong rumours around that the makers of "Worlds Best 4 strokeTM" have a new model outboard due on the market shortly. Can Suzuki build a 60hp 4 stroke to upstage Yamaha's brilliant 60hp 4 stroke ? If Suzuki's outboard history is anything to go by, then this is likely to be another ground breaking outboard motor.

Does anyone have any details ? Offset crankshaft ? cc's ? weight ? technology ?

[a boat]

Hi, the Suzuki rep has been telling me about it for over 12 months and they need to get the weight down, but I do not think it will perform like the old 60HP that is really a de-tuned 70HP. The old model was a powerful engine in terms of grunt due to being a big cc but it was over weight and not many boats rated to 60HP could carry the weight. If they manage to get the weight down, keep performance at the level of other 60HP 4-Strokes and keep the strength in it , it should be a good thing. I do not know specs, but the target figures will have to be around 115kg, cubic capacity of about 1000cc and if they are serious it will have to meet the 2011 EPA regs that will regulate CO output that one brand of engine already meets. The only problem maybe price, because from the price list I have the "new" 70-90HP and most other Suzukis have had a fair price rise.

Interesting times in the outboard game and just like the 2006 EPA regulations that made 4-Stroke and DI engines come into exisitance the new round of cuts are the next target for the manufacturers. I have been told also Honda are coming out with a 60HP which again they need one to compete-they have not had one and 60HP is a big seller.

Cheers and if an when I learn more I will post,

Huey.

[a boat]

There you go, thanks Chris, both engines look very good bits of gear and now all players have a great 60HP to chose from. To me the 60HP Suzuki from the powerhead down look like the 40HP and 50HP, so maybe they have used that block and tweaked it to get 60HP-make sense. The lean burn techonology helps with emissions too. The Honda tiller handle has all the features.

Cheers,

Huey.

[stingray]

Thanks Guys. Didnt even know about the Honda B60. But there you go. So Honda went for a 3 cylinder 998cc plant and by the look of the Suzuki, they have also gone for a 3 cylinder powerhead as opposed to Yamaha and Mercury's 4 cylinder. Huey, is the Merc 60F, the same Chinese derived powerhead that is used in the Yamahs F60hp ? (somethin I heard a while ago)

One thing I will say about Honda is to be very sceptical about Honda published engine weights. They have been caught out telling lies by many kg's on their outboards in the past. Even as recently as the BF20 release just a few short years ago.

IMO, Suzuki makes the worlds best 4 stroke outboards from 80hp to 300hp and also from 2hp to 15hp. It's just the 20hp to 70hp where they are trailing. But then again even Honda is getting more competitive with their recent BF75/90 and BF40/50 range, which are vast improvements.

On the other hand Yamaha and Mercury should spend more time at the design stage to ensure their motors are not so bulky. Most of their model are HUGE !

[a boat]

Hi, as for the Merc / Yamaha relationship, they were the same powerheads years ago, but that has finished. It was the same when Yamaha first came on the scene, they were Merc old or first generation designs that were badge under Mariner. This went on for about 10 years and then the US government did not like it so put a stop to it. By that stage Yamaha had a foot hold and the knowledge and made their own designs. All interesting reading if you get a hold of a "the history of Merc book".

The small Merc engines are made in China and it would not surprise me to find other brands are doing the same. What is happening with China at present is the same thing with the Japenese about 30 years ago. Chinese R & D stands for "recieve and duplicate" and if they persists and the labour stays low who knows what they can do. The main problem I see for the Chinese is the EPA and the strict emissions and whether the outboards they produce for themselves (not Merc / Yamaha or whatever) will they meet them-time will tell, but at this stage the Chinese brand outboards I have run are not of the standard as the main players, but the price is cheaper.

Can not wait to get a chance to drive these new generation 60HP 4-Strokes and as mentioned both Suzuki and Honda look to have good product in that HP now.

Cheers,

Huey.