Extra power = Safer bike.

**HTFU** · 29th March 2008, 21:45

I have always struggled with the statement "the bike has enough power to get you out of trouble".

Have heard it said in many conversations over the years where the person is suggesting the extra power makes it a safer option. Car salesmen in particular and just today in a local bike shop. "The engines not MotoGP but has enough power to get you out of trouble".

What does it actually mean ? The "Power" part could cover engine power, top speed, torque and acceleration and the "Trouble" I guess could mean other vehicles and obstacles on the road. Or is the extra power needed to get the bike out of the ditch or a wheel slide/skid?

I have always felt more people have got into "trouble" because a bike is very powerful, than have been removed from danger because of a bikes powerful characteristics. I would say a fair few that have had to use the bikes power to get out of trouble, were in fact in trouble in the first place because they couldn't proficiently use the bikes power.

Perhaps then a more accurate take on this generalised statement of a bikes power should be...

"Enough power to get you out of trouble and more than enough to fuck you up"

So what do you think - Has the "enough power" spoken of, got more people into "trouble" than it has got people out of "trouble"

Yes - the extra power will create more pain than pleasure.
NO - the extra power will save you more times than it tries to kill you.

**Grub** · 29th March 2008, 22:05

Agree with you 100%. Engine size seems to be more about dick size and wank-factor. Why buy a thou when a 600 with 105hp is about twice as much power as you need to "get out of trouble"?

**Kirill357** · 29th March 2008, 22:16

Originally Posted by Grub

Agree with you 100%. Engine size seems to be more about dick size and wank-factor. Why buy a thou when a 600 with 105hp is about twice as much power as you need to "get out of trouble"?

Said owner of 600cc. Why dont you then change your bike to 250cc

**Grub** · 29th March 2008, 22:17

Originally Posted by Kirill357

Said owner of 600cc. Why dont you then change your bike to 250cc

Wank-factor of course

**Disco Dan** · 29th March 2008, 22:18

In the words of Tim the "tool man" Taylor...

"more power!! Ugh Ugh Ugh !"

**The Pastor** · 29th March 2008, 22:23

This is a stupid poll.

**martybabe** · 29th March 2008, 22:26

My large capacity motorcycles power has got me outta trouble loads a times, when the wifes on a mission to cause me pain, or the daughters after my money, or the dog needs walking. I fire up the gsx and I'm gone man..nooo trouble.

Could I get outta trouble that fast on a two fiddy ? I think not !

**Teflon** · 29th March 2008, 22:28

Originally Posted by Grub

Agree with you 100%. Engine size seems to be more about dick size and wank-factor. Why buy a thou when a 600 with 105hp is about twice as much power as you need to "get out of trouble"?

Engine size = torque.. which your 600 has fuck all of.

**howdamnhard** · 29th March 2008, 23:24

Well my 250cc certainly doesn't have enough power or torque to get me out of trouble especially on the open road and motorways.I could do do with another 500cc.I value torque more than power and prefer controlling the bikes speed via the throttle.It's true more power can get you in trouble if your not used to it but it also gives you the option to get out of trouble quicker by using a bikes one main advantage over a car i.e. acceleration.

**Rogue** · 29th March 2008, 23:45

True acceleration can help but I don't quite understand the meaning
What a stupid poll

**Paranoid Android** · 29th March 2008, 23:49

this is a hard topic that will devide a community. the bigger the engine the faster you will go. the bigger the engine the more ability it has to pull you out of the shit.

so the question is will the bigger engine be able to pull you out of the shit it just got you into

**shafty** · 29th March 2008, 23:51

Depends on the maturity or skill of the Rider, but NICE to have it available.......

**Gremlin** · 30th March 2008, 02:21

Power is lots of fun... and 600's are boring and weak...

Thous have lots of power, lots of fun... then you get caught doing something you shouldn't have been doing... and the fun stops.

**scumdog** · 30th March 2008, 02:29

Power is OK - but if you're doing 1,800rpm and 60kph when you need to open 'er up to get out of the way of a logging truck all the power in the world ain't going to help a lot if you're not ready for the hazard presented on front of you.

Of course if you ride a Harley the above scenario isn't a problem....

**Animal** · 30th March 2008, 02:48

" ...enough power to get you out of trouble."

Well, I had one of WA's Federal Police telling me that if I had less power, I wouldn't have been able to accelerate at the rate I did, and wouldn't now be obliged to make a financial contribution to the state revenue department.

His point of view: Less power is better. Scooters are more than enough for most riders, and anything more than a 250 is overkill.
My point of view: I disagree with him. I want abundant power available when I have some exhausted and half-awake road-train driver bearing down on me at 80kmh over the posted speed limit. If it's a matter of choosing between survival and becoming another dead thing stuck through the structure of a Kenworth's 'roo bar, then give me all the power in the world - and I'll pay the fine because it still beats being dead!

That was worth less than 2 cents, but I blame inflation for that.