Horsepower. How much is enough?

[enigma51]

its NEVER enough, bring on the horses

Have your sorted out the 250's half horse yet

[ArcherWC]

Have your sorted out the 250's half horse yet

Fug off fooker

[Blackshear]

I do believe Ghost Rider holds the current silly record.
499HP is about the most anyone shall ever need, ever.
Hope you're reading this, Mr. 750HP Busa man from somewhere.

[Hitcher]

So how much is enough...

After having ridden new generation mid-sized bikes, I have concluded that many people are riding way too much bike, probably myself included.

[fatzx10r]

my bike has more power than i would ever really need or fully make use of. but it is a shit load of fun to ride and i would never get board of it. trying to keep my licence is the only problem i have with high hp bike's

[MarkH]

How much horsepower is enough?

For a car somewhere around 1000 would do.

For a bike I think 499 on a turbo Hayabusa is probably enough for a bike.

You CAN have some fun with more modest amounts of power, but there are always going to be times where you wish you had more.

The real question should be: how many nm of torque is enough per kg total weight (incl rider & gear) of the vehicle?

[no-coast-punk]

Well... the GP guys are pushing ~250 to the tire from what I understand.

They're always crying about the need for more power.

So obviously 250 to the tire isn't enough.

I've ridden/tuned a fair share of turbo Busa's. The ones done correctly don't feel like some ungodly number. As long as the delivery is smooth and responsive it's all usable and fun.

Situation is key too.

A 400whp Busa in the middle of the Nevada desert still feels like it could use more. My 163whp R6 still feels like it could use a bit more in the canyons... but that's because all the fun happens above 10k.

I think the Italians have figured out the power game better than anybody else. Something like a Ducati or Aprilia may have fairly pathetic top end numbers on paper... but when the thing behaves like a bleeding tractor causing the tire to scream for mercy on corner exit.... it feels just right.

[Omega1]

My bike's has little over 100hp and has a old design sportster engine but I don't care about having more hp because she's FUN!!!! to ride

[madbikeboy]

Well... the GP guys are pushing ~250 to the tire from what I understand.

They're always crying about the need for more power.

So obviously 250 to the tire isn't enough.

I've ridden/tuned a fair share of turbo Busa's. The ones done correctly don't feel like some ungodly number. As long as the delivery is smooth and responsive it's all usable and fun.

Situation is key too.

A 400whp Busa in the middle of the Nevada desert still feels like it could use more. My 163whp R6 still feels like it could use a bit more in the canyons... but that's because all the fun happens above 10k.

I think the Italians have figured out the power game better than anybody else. Something like a Ducati or Aprilia may have fairly pathetic top end numbers on paper... but when the thing behaves like a bleeding tractor causing the tire to scream for mercy on corner exit.... it feels just right.

A turbo GSXR1300 in LA traffic seemed plenty to me

[racefactory]

it depends on your body weight and bike weight mostly but for an average 75 kg person on a 60hp on a 165kg bike (NC30) is by far enough for the road.... 0- 100 in 3.8 and 12.8 for quarter mile... why would you need more for road.

[vtec]

I reckon approx 60HP is enough. VFR400 being my dream bike.

I still love my 45hp CBR250RR's even though I've raced 120HP 600's.

Tonnes of fun, extremely quick at non-relativity speeds, doesn't shred tyres, cheap on gas, reliable, crashes well, pretty (as long as you haven't recently crashed it), one of the best handling road bikes... ever.

I want one. Pity they are carbed and not fuel injected.

[rat biker 08]

If the open road speed is 100 k and most bikes can do that Then you dont need over the top HP unless you want to race.

[AllanB]

My bike's has little over 100hp and has a old design sportster engine but I don't care about having more hp because she's FUN!!!! to ride

WELL SAID

Pretty much what I was going to say about my Hornet 900 regarding power and fun.

If you're not having fun on the bike (ie its too powerful and scares ya or too gutless and frustrates ya) whats the point?

[scrivy]

Trouble with us humans is that no matter how much power is wrung out of these machines, it's never enough.

We get used to power so quickly that after a while you think your bike has dropped a plug or something.

Speed is the same. Once you hit those upper speeds you get used to them very quickly and it's harder and harder to get your fix.

That's why there will always be people lining up to buy the latest most powerful hardware and why after market turbos and super chargers and big bore kits and hot cams and and .... are always so busy making someones machine that much quicker.

Yep, power, speed, thrills, it's all so addictive and always will be.

Exactly the same with porn sites!! The sick shit just doesn't get ya off anymore like it used to. You expect sicker stuff from ya missus, and also the sites..... oh shit..... here I go again..... sorry.
HP?? You can never get enough!! We put out some serious numbers in our sidecar, but I alway say to Sidecar Bob that I want more. We have enough HP now to break the rear loose in 4th around some high speed corners, and in the wet on straights in 6th, but I always want MORE!
I used to do aerobatic flying years ago, but that doesn't get close to a big handful of excessive HP!!
The bucking and sliding from copious amounts of HP is experienced no other way - unless of course I tell the missus her sister is a better roo.....

[R1madness]

Well my daily ride is a GSXR1000 with way too much power but i love it. However i also really like Yamahas TRX850s. They have a lot less power but really good fun to ride (japanese ducati anyone??).
I guess 65-70hp is enough for most uses but i want more damn it..... and i can have it so i will......
Its like the how much sex is too much question. There is no wrong answer.