Extra power = Safer bike.

**mark247** · 30th March 2008, 12:23

Originally Posted by madandy

250 and 400 are gutless. Unless you're ringing their tits off at 10,000rpm & over, way over in the 250's case. They just don't respond at cruising speeds in top gear or one down...hell even 2 down.

That is a loud of rubbish. I can be sitting at 7000rpm on my bike doing 90kmh in top gear and open up the throttle and accelerate and pass easily.

**Swoop** · 30th March 2008, 16:04

Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

I'd rather have too much than not enough.
A nice box of torque under your arse is at least there. If it isn't there in the first place, you cannot use it.

**Nagash** · 30th March 2008, 18:15

Well seeing as i've never ridden a bike over a 250 I gotta say, trying to pass people on open roads is an absolute bitch.

They're sitting at 90k's and you set up to pass, 100m's clear space set up to go around, drop down a gear, crank on the throttle full bore and... you wait. There is no acceleration it just sorta creeps up slowly. It's given me some close calls before with me either having to slap on the brakes and drop back behind the car again or just shimey over to the centre line and hope everyone gets outta the way..

Other then that, around town for example, a 250 has enough low-end acceleration to get you out of trouble such as cars pulling out at you or pedestrians jumping at you.

Personally I reckon more power does get you out of trouble, but as many others have said. It's all about the rider. I thought Frosty hit it on the head where he said the power gives you another OPTION. Learnt from a few AWNR's that it's all about giving yourself as many options as possible.

**McJim** · 30th March 2008, 18:29

What's all this 'ere power everyone is talking about then?

**Bonez** · 30th March 2008, 18:36

Originally Posted by McJim

What's all this 'ere power everyone is talking about then?

Something thats available when you ride the GSX

.

**madandy** · 30th March 2008, 18:53

Originally Posted by mark247

That is a loud of rubbish. I can be sitting at 7000rpm on my bike doing 90kmh in top gear and open up the throttle and accelerate and pass easily.

Yeah. ok. Your right. 400's have loads of torque.
I've ridden a couple of NC30's and unless yours is special...its gutless, but good for a 400.

**mark247** · 30th March 2008, 18:56

Originally Posted by madandy

Yeah. ok. Your right. 400's have loads of torque.
I've ridden a couple of NC30's and unless yours is special...its gutless, but good for a 400.

All im saying is that at 100kmh in 6th, im doing around 6000 - 7000rpm and when i pass i dont have to drop down a cog because a VFR's power basically 7000rpm+. Im sure some gixxer thou would be much more peppy but saying all 400's are gutless is unreasonable

**fishb8nz** · 30th March 2008, 18:56

I used to ride in the uk, years ago. Started back on a GN125 and found I couldn't maintain 100 km on the open road and that was dangerous. Now got a 650 and it's so much more safer. on one occasion, I went into a corner way too hot, with oncoming traffic, so there was no opportunity to run wide, so I just gunned it and got around the corner at a speed much faster than I could have presumed. that time, power certainly helped me.

**MVnut** · 30th March 2008, 19:13

Too much power is only ever just enough..............well almost enough, gimme moooooore !!!

**doc** · 30th March 2008, 19:18

Originally Posted by MVnut

Too much power is only ever just enough..............well almost enough, gimme moooooore !!!

Well stop using kerosene in the Lada and try 91

**madandy** · 30th March 2008, 19:27

Originally Posted by mark247

All im saying is that at 100kmh in 6th, im doing around 6000 - 7000rpm and when i pass i dont have to drop down a cog because a VFR's power basically 7000rpm+. Im sure some gixxer thou would be much more peppy but saying all 400's are gutless is unreasonable

Most 4 cylinder bikes start to really come on cam around 7-8000rpm.
The difference between a 400cc NC30 coming on cam and a torquey engine [whether through sheer cc's or engine characteristics) is night and day.
Gearing has quite a role to play also. Once you've had a good ride on somthing that really pulls in top at the sort of rpm and road speed we're talking about
then you'll realise just what I'm getting at.

**MVnut** · 30th March 2008, 19:33

Originally Posted by doc

Well stop using kerosene in the Lada and try 91

Trabant actually...........

**mark247** · 30th March 2008, 19:38

Originally Posted by madandy

Most 4 cylinder bikes start to really come on cam around 7-8000rpm.
The difference between a 400cc NC30 coming on cam and a torquey engine [whether through sheer cc's or engine characteristics) is night and day.
Gearing has quite a role to play also. Once you've had a good ride on somthing that really pulls in top at the sort of rpm and road speed we're talking about
then you'll realise just what I'm getting at.

Ok fair enough. Just from what i have experienced i have never felt my VFR hasnt had enough power to get me out of any tricky situations. When it comes to racing im sure i could do with more. But i think it is substantial in my opinion for everyday riding. Chur.

**doc** · 30th March 2008, 19:44

Originally Posted by MVnut

Trabant actually...........

OK I actually meant trabant but couldn't remember the name.

**HTFU** · 30th March 2008, 20:44

Originally Posted by madandy

Maybe HTFU, you need to HTFU and forget what other people say about your choice in bike and how powerful it is :P

Its not really about me my man, happy with anything slightly more powerful than a GN (was just a little underpowered for my touring, around but only just !). My little Soursaki does the business and has more than enough power to allow me to ride 'The Pace'.

Good discussion going on here, which is choice.