GAJ
Well-known member
My take has always been that HP/Torque is like brakes. When you really need them suddenly having more than the minimum is a good thing. Then, sometimes you just want it.
The peach you can't have is sour, as the saying goes. Motorcycling isn't about needs mostly, its about wants. There are no rules that say if you have 100 hp and tons of torque that you must use it all, just control the right hand.
You can have a blast riding a 35 hp bike or one with far less but that has zero to do with any bike having more. Power doesnt have to be heavy, unmanageable or less fun going around a turn than some bike with half as much.
How many of us wish for less power? Not many I'd guess although somewhere they exist.
Merging onto a freeway, hit a long straight after a tight turn what is more fun, pushing to 60 like a mad dog chasing a squirrel (safely) or a leisurely glide knowing 65 will take only a few minutes more?
Who among us hasn't when starting out with a lower powered bike, not found some downhill just to feel what a bit more accelleration or speed feels like. Come in, we've all done it.
Alameda/Oakland Tube anyone? Back in the day that is where Honda 200s, Kawasaki 250 Triples and Yamaha Rds went so riders could have a go and find out what 750 Fours and Saki 500 must have felt like.
Sure, but many of us who own smaller bikes SOLD much faster/powerful/heavier bikes because they SAT after purchasing the smaller bike for backroad blasting duty.
Many of us also keep a more versatile/powerful bike on hand for freeway/touring duty.
As the roads deteriorate a "fast" sportbike turns out to be no "faster" for backroad blasting duty and light weight is a joy in those conditions.