has Jez slagged us again?

[bugjuice]

valid points there SC..

Actually, you've touched on something that hits the nail on the head - where he's never felt acceleration like that before, the bike out-accelerates him off the line. Unfortunately velocity kicks in, and torque curves (see, torque has now been mentioned) take effect, and the race is over.

The TG track favours fast cars, that's why it was designed on an old runway. A 1000cc could almost run out of breath by the time it finishes the straight, because they accelerate so fast, where as cars don't have the same rate, so they accelerate all the way to the end, then have to brake. Fast tracks are for the thous, like Puke, where as 600s are for slightly lower-down power, such as the Taupo track. And that's before you take rider abilities, tyres, temp etc.

I don't think the bike vs car will ever be resolved. The bike version of Jez and TG would probably pitch the GSXR K5 against a Golf GTi and think that's a fair call. Doesn't help he's over-biased, and can't ride for toffee, but makes for good viewing as long as he doesn't mention motorcikles.

[wkid_one]

Aerodynamics also have a big part to play. A Formula 1 car at 200mph is chucking down 2 times its weight in downforce - and what about a bike aerodynamics? In a straight out sprint this isn't a problem. When you start talking about cornering speed - different altogether. Watch the farce that was the US GP this morning - the cars where cornering with a force of about 3-4.5g - now that is mad.

You take that downforce and the size of the tyres - compared to negligible downforce of a bike and two contact patches the size of your palm.

Hardly an argument worth having is it - you can't compare them - cars have too many advantages in general terms when measured on a track.

But can a car do this?

[vifferman]

I don't think the bike vs car will ever be resolved... Doesn't help he's over-biased, and can't ride for toffee, but makes for good viewing as long as he doesn't mention motorcikles.

True.
I've seen so many other bike vs. car comparisons where the bike conclusively cleaned up, but it's never going to in a Top Gear comparo, as Clarkson HATES bikes, and never misses any chance to slag off at them.

I agreed with him in some ways - given the choice between the Ariel Atom and a bike, I said I'd take the car. But then I thought about it in the 'real world' - it would be horrid in traffic, because you would be down at bumper level, it has no protection from the elements, the seats are hard plastic, so it would be very uncomfortable apart from on smooth roads, etc. etc. Would it really be more fun than a bike? And can you lane-split in one? Can you sneak past slow-moving traffic coming back from a holiday? It's also very expensive - for $100K-ish I could buy a very nice bike AND a (less exciting) sports car.

[Motu]

, as Clarkson HATES bikes,

He's got you,hook,line and sinker...he puts on a show,he wants participation and reaction,stirs the pot and laughs at his sidekicks stature and choice of clothes...do short hairdressers get upset? No,they realise he's having them on...do you?

[vifferman]

He's got you,hook,line and sinker...he puts on a show,he wants participation and reaction,stirs the pot and laughs at his sidekicks stature and choice of clothes...do short hairdressers get upset? No,they realise he's having them on...do you?

Yeah. But I'm still sure he hates bikes. Yes, he makes too big a thing of it, and yes, the conversations, hassling etc. between the presenters are carefully scripted, but I'm sure he is someone with a strong antipathy towards motorcycles because one frightened him once.

I don't care. I watch it to be entertained. But it doesn't stop me sometimes being irritated by some of the stuff on it.

But can a car do this?

Attached Thumbnails

Yeah - get the front wing a few cms up off the ground, and it'll look exactly like the bike.


For a few seconds.

Saw it on some boring Murkn race where the front of the car ran over some broken car bits on the track...

[Lou Girardin]

I'll put $500 on a race between my Bandit and an Atom.
From Auckland city to Ramarama 5.00 PM Friday on a holiday weekend.
Any takers?
Jeeza?
Anyone?

[wkid_one]

I'll put $500 on a race between my Bandit and an Atom.
From Auckland city to Ramarama 5.00 PM Friday on a holiday weekend.
Any takers?
Jeeza?
Anyone?

Fuck - I would bet on public transport at that time - and that is saying something

[Motu]

Yeah. But I'm still sure he hates bikes.

Did you see the recent one where he was taking the diesel Jag around ''The Ring''? To get an idea of what it was like he was having a talk to some sports bike riders between sesions - no anamosity,just fast bike riders talking to a fast car driver...as equals....the real man is totaly different from the show man.

[White trash]

Did you see the recent one where he was taking the diesel Jag around ''The Ring''? To get an idea of what it was like he was having a talk to some sports bike riders between sesions - no anamosity,just fast bike riders talking to a fast car driver...as equals....the real man is totaly different from the show man.

100% on the button as usual.

Vehicle enthusiasts are just that, enthusiasts.

[WINJA]

CLARKSON WHAT A PUSSY,I ALWAYS SAY THOSE WHO CANT RIDE DRIVE. STILL A GOOD SHOW

[slob]

Was gutted that I missed it but found this handy link:

http://www.openwheelers.com.au/video...ll_segment.mpg

[SPman]

Top gear used to have bike tests as well...in the old days...
luv the show cos he aint serious - loves to wind people up!
Have you read any of his car tests on the times online - great stuff
http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,12529,00.html

[Motu]

luv the show cos he aint serious - loves to wind people up!
Have you read any of his car tests on the times online - great stuff
http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,12529,00.html

I can't believe people can't see this,that's why it's so much fun and popular - still,it's a laugh seeing all the serious people in the world getting wound up over nothing at all.

[gav]

True.
I've seen so many other bike vs. car comparisons where the bike conclusively cleaned up, but it's never going to in a Top Gear comparo, as Clarkson HATES bikes, and never misses any chance to slag off at them.

I agreed with him in some ways - given the choice between the Ariel Atom and a bike, I said I'd take the car. But then I thought about it in the 'real world' - it would be horrid in traffic, because you would be down at bumper level, it has no protection from the elements, the seats are hard plastic, so it would be very uncomfortable apart from on smooth roads, etc. etc. Would it really be more fun than a bike? And can you lane-split in one? Can you sneak past slow-moving traffic coming back from a holiday? It's also very expensive - for $100K-ish I could buy a very nice bike AND a (less exciting) sports car.

$100Kish? Fark off, he quoted it at 29000 pounds, whats that, under $60K NZ? See my earlier post, theres one on trade me for under $50K? People pay that much for a V8 Falcon don't they? As far as feeling the acceleration, see his face? On a bike, youre wearing a helmet, so don't FEEL it quite the same. Main reason JC winds up the motorcyclists is cos both his co hosts are avid bikers! He's just taking the piss, and he's quite good at it

[Jantar]

Try adding the weight of the rider/driver then recalculate.

Also, the power to weight ratio is mainly related to acceleration. You need to know the power to drag ratio for top speed.