Will it never end?

**YellowDog** · 18th December 2009, 20:07

I do tend to believe that the max output figures aren't something that 90% of us will not ever use.

I must say I do enjoy the exhilaration of a 50kph to 150kph twist of the throttle.

Our bikes are very personal to us and the "is it quick enough" arguament is just one of many factors.

We all need one bike for the race track and one for the road.

**Edbear** · 19th December 2009, 11:41

Originally Posted by AllanB

Yeah - there is a valid point here. What's the point of a million horses at a zillion rpm on a public road.

Looky here, mate! For the billionth time, stop exagerratiing!

**DarkLord** · 19th December 2009, 11:45

Unsure as to why that many horsies are needed, to be honest.

Of course, that much power makes for very much awesome, but is it really needed?

My '01 SV650 is about 80bhp with the free-flowing can on it and that is quite peppy enough, for me anyway....

**slowpoke** · 19th December 2009, 12:05

Having owned a PC111/can'd GSXR1000K7 for strictly road use (already had a track bike) it was an interesting conundrum: feck all mid-range and sky-high rev limit compared to older sportsbikes made for a lack lustre road riding experience.....unless you were getting up it, when it all made perfect sense. But after getting up it and arriving home with those wide eyes and "I can't keep doing that!" mutterings does not make for a healthy long term scenario.

But, having just bought a full monty GSXR1000K7 race bike (no more road riding for me) I can relay that it is a pretty amazing thing on track, as are any of those bikes.

So, if you do any track riding at all, and want something to use on the road as well then a modern sportsbike is a no brainer. Judging by the numbers of people ridng at trackdays, which only seem to be getting busier, that's a reasonable proportion of us.

You owe it to yourself to ride one of these bikes in anger at least once in your biking life.....if for no other reason than so that you'll know what you and other people are talking about.

**Motu** · 19th December 2009, 13:05

BMW have never been into the highest HP,fastest 1/4 mile or highest top speed race,more focusing on usable HP,and relaxed sustained high speed.So if they still hold to those ideals,then this one must be a real sleeper.

**dipshit** · 19th December 2009, 16:15

Originally Posted by slowpoke

So, if you do any track riding at all, and want something to use on the road as well then a modern sportsbike is a no brainer.

Or you could go for a 600 sportsbike and get the benefits of modern engineering and just forgo the 160 + hp.

**Molly** · 19th December 2009, 21:00

Looking at the Triumph 675 in Street & Sport's window today. That's a bloody nice bike. And a triple has lots of character.

**Cr1MiNaL** · 19th December 2009, 22:59

Saw a BMW S 1000 RR in blue and white when I was at hampton Downs today. Beautiful looking machines, engines still protrude out of the chassis on both sides as it typical with BMW's. I didn't think it made 20 horses more than my bike. The R1's were cleaning up.

**slowpoke** · 20th December 2009, 11:43

Originally Posted by dipshit

Or you could go for a 600 sportsbike and get the benefits of modern engineering and just forgo the 160 + hp.

You're absolutely right: you could................I'm just not sure why you would.......

**HamptonDownsRideDays** · 20th December 2009, 14:39

Originally Posted by Cr1MiNaL

Saw a BMW S 1000 RR in blue and white when I was at hampton Downs today. Beautiful looking machines, engines still protrude out of the chassis on both sides as it typical with BMW's. I didn't think it made 20 horses more than my bike. The R1's were cleaning up.

That was an HP2 not the S1000RR. The RR is somewhat narrower ;-)

**Cr1MiNaL** · 20th December 2009, 14:55

Originally Posted by HamptonDownsRideDays

That was an HP2 not the S1000RR. The RR is somewhat narrower ;-)

Ah! I stand corrected

It looked pretty fine with those blue alloys, Ohlins all round and Brembo brakes *drool*

**Nutter34** · 20th December 2009, 16:41

I'm always amused how people argue the merits of outright hp...

What most of them completely don't get, are the merits of the torque that go with them...

Most modern 600's don't make as much torque as 1000's at 4500 rpm.

What does that mean to the average guy, he can ride at the same rate as a screaming 600, not rev past 7000 and maybe maintain a better rythm and be smoother.
Then, of course, if you want to be silly, it's a twist of the wrist away...

**Hitcher** · 20th December 2009, 16:58

Having spent most of today hooning the highways and byways of the Wairarapa two-up on a 750 that delivers 92 brake at the crank, I find it hard to believe that a bike that delivers double that power also delivers double the fun. Many people are riding too much bike.

**martybabe** · 20th December 2009, 17:52

Originally Posted by Nutter34

I'm always amused how people argue the merits of outright hp...

What most of them completely don't get, are the merits of the torque that go with them...

Most modern 600's don't make as much torque as 1000's at 4500 rpm.

What does that mean to the average guy, he can ride at the same rate as a screaming 600, not rev past 7000 and maybe maintain a better rythm and be smoother.
Then, of course, if you want to be silly, it's a twist of the wrist away...

With you there mate, I've got a claimed 106bhp from a 1400cc, a figure easily achievable by a 600/750cc but, with the Massive Torque on tap from the 14, the BHP figure is all but irrelevant and it would easily give those listed on the first page a run for their money despite them having nearly twice the horses in some cases.

How many Horses are ideal? no idea, I've had huge velocity fun on a 250 smoker with 25/30 ponies and had a couple with 100+ ponies that felt lacking. It is an interesting talking point though, this thread would bear testament to that.