Why do people need more than a 600cc?

Dr. Evil

Dr. Evil

Mother of God.
Sirdrinksalot said:
I may not be the most experienced rider compared to some of you folks, but after have ridden some 1000cc sportbikes, why do you need such power for the street? Sure it is fun, but from my inexperience it seems more like a liability than actual benefit. For me, my 600ss seems overkill, and perhaps a 650 may be too much for the street. So, with having the wrath of God for power, why do some of you folks need such crazy power for the street?:shocker
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I know that this is a post from the previous geological era, but still, I'd like to throw my :2cents in...

TORQUE!!!

With 600s, you have to strangle it, wring its neck until it the engine is spinning so fast it actually appears to be spinning very slowly due to relativistic effects before anything happens.

With a litrebike that's properly set up, pull the throttle, and no matter what RPM you're at, things start to happen NOW. Stuff in front of you takes on a bluish tinge, when you behind you everything looks red, and by the time you look back forward again, the scenery has started to squash inward toward a point directly in front of you. Torque is a beautiful thing.
 
Jbox88

Jbox88

Middleman
Honestly, I just love my R1. The baby is a kinky beast and she knows it! Its hard to explain but after riding a couple buddies R6 and CBR 600rr, I had fun but, I got back on my R1 and LOVED IT!

What works for you is what matters. No motorcycle is about "need", they're all "wants", otherwise you would go with a car :p. Course, its never a good idea to push yourself way past your comfort zone when riding.
 
K

KINDOY2

Well-known member
You wouldnt understaand

Sirdrinksalot said:
I may not be the most experienced rider compared to some of you folks, but after have ridden some 1000cc sportbikes, why do you need such power for the street? Sure it is fun, but from my inexperience it seems more like a liability than actual benefit. For me, my 600ss seems overkill, and perhaps a 650 may be too much for the street. So, with having the wrath of God for power, why do some of you folks need such crazy power for the street?:shocker
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Like the old saying..If I have to explain....you wouldnt understand
 
K

KINDOY2

Well-known member
Your doing the right thing

Sirdrinksalot said:
Well, hopefully one day I might be as skilled or disciplined enough to be responsible enough to own one. I've been riding off and on for 7 1/2 years but still could use more experience. In some regards, I feel having 100+ horsepower on a 400lb bike is just "f-in" crazy in some cases.
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I think its a good idea for you not to have one....um 7.5 years huh? 2005? Off and on? I've been riding 45 years not "off and on"....and one thing I know...if your afraid of a bike..stay away from it..you'll probobly kill yourself on it.
 
KrustyKruser

KrustyKruser

El Chingon
my reasoning for over 600 cc's: cause my bike is powered by a hurly davenson motor. So 1200 of those American cc's = 600 overseas cc's. at least for AMA racing :laughing
 
Eric in Davis

Eric in Davis

Well-known member
I bought my R1 because all the used 600's in my price range were beat to sh*t. There's something about 600's and people doing stupid things to them. I found an R1 in almost pristine condition for a good price and said why not? I've always had low hp/cc bikes. But I've been riding for 10+ years, and raced for a few years. I've crashed tons on the track and have no desire to "go fast" on the street now. Liter sportbikes are geared so high that it actually is very mellow to ride around at sub freeway speeds. My R1 won't do a roll-on wheelie until you're basically doing 50+mph in 1st gear. So it's not like it is going to try to kill you every time you open the throttle pulling away from a stop light.
 
Hibs

Hibs

Well-known member
What do I need 1199cc's??? Cause a 600 doesn't trap 150mph in the 1/4 mile :)

DSC03502-1.jpg
 
Sharky

Sharky

Well-known member
Eric in Davis said:
I bought my R1 because all the used 600's in my price range were beat to sh*t. There's something about 600's and people doing stupid things to them. I found an R1 in almost pristine condition for a good price and said why not? I've always had low hp/cc bikes. But I've been riding for 10+ years, and raced for a few years. I've crashed tons on the track and have no desire to "go fast" on the street now. Liter sportbikes are geared so high that it actually is very mellow to ride around at sub freeway speeds. My R1 won't do a roll-on wheelie until you're basically doing 50+mph in 1st gear. So it's not like it is going to try to kill you every time you open the throttle pulling away from a stop light.
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Dude u aren't trying hard enough, my gixxer wheelstands in 1st waaaay sooner than that. I personally love the cold tire spin ups, leaving nice blackies all the way.
:thumbup
 
cleverusername

cleverusername

Well-known member
Sirdrinksalot said:
I may not be the most experienced rider compared to some of you folks, but after have ridden some 1000cc sportbikes, why do you need such power for the street? Sure it is fun, but from my inexperience it seems more like a liability than actual benefit. For me, my 600ss seems overkill, and perhaps a 650 may be too much for the street. So, with having the wrath of God for power, why do some of you folks need such crazy power for the street?:shocker
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because it is there to be had. that is the fundamental reason for the "need".

different tack - i hypothesize that engine layout is more significant than displacement in terms of rider satisfaction.
 
raztec

raztec

Well-known member
As others have said, it's not a matter of need, it's a matter of want. You can be sure if they made a 2 liter bike, people would buy those too. For most, it's the desire to know they have the best and fastest. They don't want to be "lacking" in any way.

For me, it was only because the colour scheme I wanted wasn't available in a smaller displacement bike. However, I quickly realized that a liter bike is way too fast for the street, as are most 600cc sport bikes for that matter. So after a year I took it off the street and now ride it on the track only. Even so, I believe it's too fast for most tracks (except Miller and maybe TH) and a 600 or 650 twin is plenty.

Moreover, any sportbike is totally inappropriate for the street. These things were designed for the track primarily. Everything from the riding position to the suspension to the brakes were not designed for low speed comfort or handling. A powerful cruiser with plenty of low end torque like the one below is infinitely better suited for the street. It just doesn't have the nimble handling of a sportbike. But for visibility and every day handling in traffic it's ideal.

medium.jpg
 
Hibs

Hibs

Well-known member
raztec said:
As others have said, it's not a matter of need, it's a matter of want. You can be sure if they made a 2 liter bike, people would buy those too. For most, it's the desire to know they have the best and fastest. They don't want to be "lacking" in any way.

For me, it was only because the colour scheme I wanted wasn't available in a smaller displacement bike. However, I quickly realized that a liter bike is way too fast for the street, as are most 600cc sport bikes for that matter. So after a year I took it off the street and now ride it on the track only. Even so, I believe it's too fast for most tracks (except Miller and maybe TH) and a 600 or 650 twin is plenty.

Moreover, any sportbike is totally inappropriate for the street. These things were designed for the track primarily. Everything from the riding position to the suspension to the brakes were not designed for low speed comfort or handling. A powerful cruiser with plenty of low end torque like the one below is infinitely better suited for the street. It just doesn't have the nimble handling of a sportbike. But for visibility and every day handling in traffic it's ideal.

medium.jpg
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I would agree that the majority of sportbikes are not made for the street. Like 98% of them. BUT... that's another reason why I like my BIG bikes. I'm talking ZX12R, ZX14, ZX14R, GSXR1300 and CBR1100XX... those bikes were not made for the track, they were made to be the fastest straight missiles you could buy. With that said, I have riden them all except for the blackbird, and they are the most comfortable sportbike on the street. Being bigger bikes they have more relaxed riding position, more seat room, more leg room, etc... I'm not even a big guy, I'm 5'11" and 170lbs, but I can't stand riding a 600 or 1000 around town.

Now, other bikes like a SV650, a ninja 650, etc are probably more comfortable, but don't fall into that true "sportbike" category.
 
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