The obsession with big capacity bikes

[oldrider]

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!

Quite agree with your sentiments here but IMHO all that goes out the window when you want to load the bike up!

I do often carry a load in various side or top box configurations and also carry a pillion (and her gear) so I need all the power that the 955 can muster!

For me the litre bike is ideal and the Tiger fits the bill perfectly.

Unfortunately, I am shrinking with age and the Tiger is a bit too tall for me at times! (stopping and starting mainly, anything very slow.)

[StoneY]

I got back on earlier this year- took a GSX600F as my 'back on the road" ride

Within 15 minutes I needed another 1100 like the one I had years earlier-cant explain it coz I could go faster on the 600 over taka's and other spots- but on long open roads the 600 just wasnt enough-
So an 1100 it was to be.....
I find my 750 a nice compromise too

Call my dick small I dont care, my bike(s) makes up for it muwahahahahaha

[Motu]

I do often carry a load in various side or top box configurations and also carry a pillion (and her gear) so I need all the power that the 955 can muster!

I converted the R65 to a single seater - bikes are a solo experience for me,and I have a Pajero to haul shit around with.

[Blackbird]

When our eldest son was at varsity, he had a Suzuki X7 250 cc 2 stroke sitting in the garage and I had a K100RS. Guess which one I'd always take for a strop round the country lanes when he wasn't there?

Guess that reinforces the point that we're all making!

Oh and by the way Brett, that "infinite horsepower" wish is probably more common when you're moving up in capacity. A workmate bought an 80's 650cc Suzuki 4 after having had an old 500 twin and thought it was great that he could pass 3 or 4 cars at a time. Then he bought a VFR 750 and was rapt that he could pass even more cars in one go. Then he started to realise that it was all going to end in tears with that line of thinking. Last time I saw him, he was riding a big Virago!!!

[Indiana_Jones]

Even more looking forward to getting my Street Triple now!

You're gonna love it mate.

I'm considering getting one myself.

-Indy

[jtzzr]

Being a Fat-ass , I need power to get moving, but in saying that I was given a 650 bros as a loaner, and enjoyed it immensely , nimble , quicker turn in , was good fun , but I guess I just love the acceleration that a big bike gives. As for the phallic symbol idea , I`m just glad my other half does`nt get on here.

[RDjase]

I have got a 900 monster and my old RD350LC i have owned for 16 years, i prefer to ride my old bike , heaps of grin factor, thats why i started racing a old bike (another LC) there much more challanging to ride , My duke does every thing realy well but doesnt do it for me, it will be for sale shortly if i dont start using it more.
Its is so much fun an the LC carving up Big ,Fast, late model bikes on a 29year 350

[Big Dave]

Try a Buell City-X and a Lightning too Indy.
I find them outstandingly good fun road bikes.

[BMWST?]

cos i am a lazy bastrard and dont like changing gear...i am so used to big low revving engines i just could never do justuce to the fz 750 i had....i always used to change up before it even hit the power band....could stay with my mates tho...so my 60 hp 1000 cc twin is fine for me...

[short-circuit]

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.

Striple - 107 hp (at the crank) @ 167kg (dry)

Shiver - 95 hp (at the crank) @ 189kg (dry)

Shiver probably better ergos for touring/old man-itis

Different beasts


Just put your money down Blackbird - you've had the nod from the boss. Your only real question is whether you're going for the original or the R:

[zeocen]

Quite agree with your sentiments here but IMHO all that goes out the window when you want to load the bike up!

Bollocks, I went from a Blackbird to an ER6F and pillioned with a 45L Givi topbox and panniers, it was fine. There were points where it thought about going before it did going up hills, but never enough to make me think it would be far superior if I had my Blackbird still.

I've now found my rhythm in a Hornet 900, with the low, real world usable torque with adequate highway speed comfort.

This isn't America, there aren't any 500mile long straight roads.

/edit: I can't argue with having a Tiger, though. I'd have one too if my wallet wasn't chained to the ground by SWMBO. :P

[Bonez]

Bollocks, I went from a Blackbird to an ER6F and pillioned with a 45L Givi topbox and panniers, it was fine. There were points where it thought about going before it did going up hills, but never enough to make me think it would be far superior if I had my Blackbird still.

I've now found my rhythm in a Hornet 900, with the low, real world usable torque with adequate highway speed comfort.

This isn't America, there aren't any 500mile long straight roads.

Amen to that.

[Headbanger]

It was my understanding that a Speed Triple had 130hp.....

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...riple%2005.htm

[JHolmes]

I have something to say about this subject, and that is ..............I've got a gsxr 1000, it has a few mod's and pushes out 180 HP, now I believe after riding this missile for two years, that it is too powerful.

I have spoken with many people who own and ride 600's with around 120 HP and they are happy all round with there choice, good in heavy traffic, good city worker and great on the Highways and twisties, so I think my next machine will be a 600 of some sort.

Just my 2 bob's worth.

[short-circuit]

It was my understanding that a Speed Triple had 130hp.....

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...riple%2005.htm

Yeah - that's the Speed Trip 1050 not the Street 675. Its also 30 kg heavier.

I've left a few Speedies behind in the twisties and she's a very near thing in a straight line drag