The obsession with big capacity bikes

[Blackbird]

Fellow KB'er Chooky (a very nicely set up CB1300) and me on the 'bird rode down to the Okoroire Pub near Tirau yesterday. (Every other bike in the north island seemed to be heading onto the Coro Peninsula, not off it!)

Anyway, on the return leg, we arranged to meet one of Chooky's workmates part way home as he fancied a shortish ride. He’s in his 60's and rides a Kawasaki W650 – the 70’s Triumph Bonneville “lookalike”. We met at Waihou south west of Thames and Chooky and his mate decided to accompany me about half way up the Thames coast road. Because his mate had a smaller naked “touring” type bike, we put him up front to set a pace that he’d be comfortable with, which was around an indicated 120 km/hr on the open road. However, when he got to the twisty coast road, both Graeme and I had to work quite hard to stay with him!!! The 650 was so light and nimble that he could absolutely fly through a sequence of bends whereas we had to get our lines bang on. Really impressive what a really light bike will do, especially so as it wasn’t sports orientated!

Ok, there are some good reasons for owning bigger capacity bikes but most of us who own big 'uns with mega-horsepower do so when a smaller bike would be perfectly adequate for our purpose (ummmmm... I'm reluctant to mention "little willy" syndrome as a reason why we buy them ).

I think we all sort of know that a light bike ridden well in twisties will generally stuff a bigger bike but having it demonstrated by a W650 was pretty impressive!

Even more looking forward to getting my Street Triple now!

[MIXONE]

Maybe it's an age thing because I think a striple would be perfect for me too.
The only thing getting in the way is the money(or lack of).

[Blackbird]

Maybe it's an age thing because I think a striple would be perfect for me too.
The only thing getting in the way is the money(or lack of).

It IS age in my case or I'd keep the 'bird forever. It will be just a bit too tall and bit too heavy as I get (even) older and the Striple is perfect. I already have approval by Executive Management. She got a tricked-up MX5 for her 60th birthday so could hardly say no

[MIXONE]

Good man.A few years back I got my wife a red topless BMW for her 40th.Black upholstery and all.Forgot to tell her it only had two wheels.

[vifferman]

Even more looking forward to getting my Street Triple now!

So it's decided then? I didn't see a post about you test-riding one, just that you were going to.

[Headbanger]

Even more looking forward to getting my Street Triple now!

Just don't buy the one I have my eye on....

That aside, there is more to bike preference then how fast it can get through a set of twisties.

[nosebleed]

Just don't buy the one I have my eye on....

That aside, there is more to bike preference then how fast it can get through a set of twisties.

Sez the HD rider

[Motu]

I always prefer a smaller/lower capacity bike because you can ride them harder without getting into too much trouble.It's not just a power/speed thing - a larger capacity bike puts much more ''forces'' through the driveline,and so tyres,front and rear.A smaller bike you can just nail into and out of corners....chop down gears,slam the throttle open,get that throttle open far earlier into the corner.It's just a more fun way to ride than loafing alone on a bike you can't use.

My R65 is a hoot to ride - I wouldn't really want an R100,just can't see the point when I can go just as fast....and ride harder too.

[The Pastor]

I always prefer a smaller/lower capacity bike because you can ride them harder without getting into too much trouble.It's not just a power/speed thing - a larger capacity bike puts much more ''forces'' through the driveline,and so tyres,front and rear.A smaller bike you can just nail into and out of corners....chop down gears,slam the throttle open,get that throttle open far earlier into the corner.It's just a more fun way to ride than loafing alone on a bike you can't use.

My R65 is a hoot to ride - I wouldn't really want an R100,just can't see the point when I can go just as fast....and ride harder too.

ive lost my licence on a 250 before, and probably will do again.

[scumdog]

A torquey plodding engine in an adequate brake/suspension package is enough to keep me happy.

Actual size of the engine doesn't concern me.

[Elysium]

Yep does size really matter?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nrMQ3QwyPo[/youtube]

[YellowDog]

Intersting posts.

It's funny because I don't ride my big engined bike like a big engined bike.

I rarely drop below 5000rpm and I guess I would get as much out of a 600cc bike.

[Hitcher]

There have only been about three occasions since I moved from the FJR1300 to the Shiver that I have thought "Fuck, wouldn't it be nice to have infinite horsepower". Although that big dog liked to hunt, it took some work, whereas running up SH54 and the like on the Shiver is a much more engaging and rewarding experience. A lot of bikers are riding too much bike. There's more than enough shits and giggles in the current crop of mid rangers for most people.

[davereid]

I always prefer a smaller/lower capacity bike because you can ride them harder without getting into too much trouble.It's not just a power/speed thing - a larger capacity bike puts much more ''forces'' through the driveline,and so tyres,front and rear.A smaller bike you can just nail into and out of corners....chop down gears,slam the throttle open,get that throttle open far earlier into the corner.It's just a more fun way to ride than loafing alone on a bike you can't use.

My R65 is a hoot to ride - I wouldn't really want an R100,just can't see the point when I can go just as fast....and ride harder too.

Yep, I have had Harleys, GSX1100s, Big Triumphs, but I always seem to end up grinning the most when my arse is on a snortin firebreathn 650cc midweight, on a twisty road.

Faster than my license, can still beat my 1100cc mates off the line if they are a bit dozey, but get 70mpg, and thousands of miles per tyre and chain.

[kevfromcoro]

that coast rd is tight as you know... i have had smaller bikes pass me on it..
heres one for ya..... was down the pub a few nights ago. and a couple of blokes were going to have a race from thames to coromandel..
the compeditors are 1 1200 buel. and the other is in a speed boat.
the boat is capable of 80 mph. but it has to do a gas stop half way.
hope they do it.. i think the boat may have the edge... well its a lot shorter.
the bike will do 200 + but there is not many places a bloke can do that on the coast road.