Oh to be young period. Back when most bikes didn't make a lot of power small bikes would rule on the tight and twisties because there was so much less weight to carry around. These days though when you want to go anywhere on the highway you do need a certain amount of power to keep you out of trouble.
In Praise of 35 horses
- Thread starter CaptCrash
- Start date
GAJ
Well-known member
:laughing:laughing
Yeah, it's a problem if they are going above the speed limit on roads with very short straights.
Below the limit?
Not a problem.
Problem with passing multiple cars at once is that it could be the lead car holding up the other cars and THEY might have the same idea as you which means they could jump out at exactly the same time you are adjacent to their driver's door.
One at a time makes far more sense...or just drop back and/or stop for a few minutes.
Banzai passing moves in the twisties can be a bad idea even with 150hp on tap.
mistahjuice
OJ
Great post. I'd love to build a sumo one day, but in the big scheme of things i like the f4/f4i because its plenty of power and great handling for the twistys, AND I can take it up the highway to meet my friends, take it the long ass all highway commute to school, roll two up every once and a while. I've tried riding long distance on my buddies wr400 and I've tried going over 70 and both of those made me feel like I was trying to putting the bike through physical harm lol. To me smaller bikes are only fun to use as toys and if they weigh like nothing haha
AdrenalineJunky
Track Addict
I love this thread, i started riding the track on an 05 GSXR 1000, WAY more power than i ever should have started on. I now ride a CRF450 SuperMoto. I have more fun on the SuperMoto than i EVER had on the Gixxer.
Low horsepower bikes have taught me so much, and are such a blast! Id rather ride on the ragged edge of a small bike then NEVER reach the full potential of a Liter bike. Maybe someday, but im good with my 35-50 horsepower...
Low horsepower bikes have taught me so much, and are such a blast! Id rather ride on the ragged edge of a small bike then NEVER reach the full potential of a Liter bike. Maybe someday, but im good with my 35-50 horsepower...
I learned to ride streets on a 100cc, moved up to a 250cc and then a 400cc. Now I am on a liter bike and I do not miss small, lightweight bikes. They were fun in my teens & 20's, 30' and 40's, but my body is tired and I like the comfort and power of large displacement bikes. I have to ride smoother because it is not as forgiving as the lighter stuff.
John Hilmer
Well-known member
Folks,
I'm timid to reply here because I'm mostly a lurker, however Saxon's post seemed to kill this thread which I didn't like. I believe that there is much merit in this perspective.
I'm of a similar mind about riding lower powered bikes as the thread was focused on. I'm in Scotts Valley so joining those in the East Bay is difficult for me.
My current ride is my restored '86 VF 500 F which may be a bit too powerful to fit the profile. However being an old guy and a slow rider maybe I could fit in.
John
I'm timid to reply here because I'm mostly a lurker, however Saxon's post seemed to kill this thread which I didn't like. I believe that there is much merit in this perspective.
I'm of a similar mind about riding lower powered bikes as the thread was focused on. I'm in Scotts Valley so joining those in the East Bay is difficult for me.
My current ride is my restored '86 VF 500 F which may be a bit too powerful to fit the profile. However being an old guy and a slow rider maybe I could fit in.
John
flying_hun
Adverse Selection
Nobody had posted in a year when he put that up, so it was already pretty moribund. :dunno
There's a lot to be learned from lower power bikes - including being smooth. You've got to conserve that momentum. :ride
There's a lot to be learned from lower power bikes - including being smooth. You've got to conserve that momentum. :ride
dtrides
Well-known member
And consider balancing carrying momentum with lack of brakes on most small displacement bikes. So it is kind of a double edge sword, the need to carry extra speed thru the corners vs not being able to slow down quickly if you need to once carrying extra corner speed..:laughing
My 'ol KLR could get thru the corners quickly carrying the momentum but you were fubared if you needed to slow/stop in a big hurry.
DT
DataDan
Mama says he's bona fide
Depends on the bike. Stopping distances for the Ninja 250, 300, and 650, and the Versys are all in the same range as the best sport-tourers and some 600 sportbikes. The KLR, however, is well off that performance. It's a trade-off, of course: its height and tires improve its capability in the dirt, but cost on the pavement.
Small street bikes these days give up nothing in braking--at least at the speeds they go.
(data from Motorcycle Consumer News road tests)
dtrides
Well-known member
Thats good to hear that the budget brakes have improved these days :thumbup
Unfortunately I am one of those wankers who expects one finger actuated four four pot radial mounted calipers with near race grade pads that can stand you on your head at speed is 'Just what the Dr ordered!'
DT
Unfortunately I am one of those wankers who expects one finger actuated four four pot radial mounted calipers with near race grade pads that can stand you on your head at speed is 'Just what the Dr ordered!'
DT
flying_hun
Adverse Selection
It's all about learning to deal with limits. It's fun to ride a bike that hits its limits before introducing you to your own. Power's a limit. Brakes are a limit. And so on. Dealing with low power and less than great brakes (I had an 09 KLR, and the brakes weren't great, but not as bad as the earlier versions) can be a great education. It's sort of like learning to optimize a system. Lots of riding lessons to be had there.
daslowguy 110
Well-known member
It's all about corner speed anybody can twist the throttle on a liter bike but nobody could touch me up hwh9 on my Rgv250
Stormdragon
Still Good Lookin'
My first bike had 32 horses! At the crank! :ride
And the disc brake (singular, not plural) worked for shite! :laughing
And the disc brake (singular, not plural) worked for shite! :laughing
AdrenalineJunky
Track Addict
My newest obsession is about 70hp
450 cripple FTW!
450 cripple FTW!
John Hilmer
Well-known member
70 hp?
Warren,
Perhaps you could enlighten us to what this is?
John
Warren,
Perhaps you could enlighten us to what this is?
John
bruceflinch
I love Da Whores
This has been an interesting read. Now I want another moto, a smaller moto.