Why no 750cc fours?

Wil · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Karma :

Probably a simple answer, but I've been wondering... what happened to the 750cc class? There used to be a load of choice, kwakkers, Yamahas etc, but these days the choices seem to be the GSXR750 for a four and that's yer lot (besides the odd bit of exotica). The demand is surely there, after all the gixxer is widely considered to be the perfect blend between the 600 and the Thou, so why aren't more manufacturers still offering a 750cc bike?
____________________
'07 Triumph Speed Four

Aw look, a baby driving a car. And look, there's a dog driving a bus!

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

Because the WSB regs changed to allow 1000cc fours to race, so the manufacturers have no incentive to make them now.
____________________
My Flickr

Moonie · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Karma :

Also alot of the people I've spoken to say the opposite.

Dumpy handling of a thou' and not alot of extra performance to compensate.
____________________
Don't practice it until you get it right, practice it until you don't get it wrong.
Presenting the one and only Chinkmobile Cool

sagalout · Nearly there... Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Karma :

Wil · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Karma :

I just wish there were more 750s around that were tuned for more midrange. A triumph Speed 4 750, for instance Drooling

I suppose there is the Z750...
____________________
'07 Triumph Speed Four

Aw look, a baby driving a car. And look, there's a dog driving a bus!

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

The Shaggy D.A. · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :

Moto Guzzi have a few 750s in their lineup too.
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

Wil · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Karma :

All twins though aren't they? Sorry, I should've clarified I was thinking of 750 fours.
____________________
'07 Triumph Speed Four

Aw look, a baby driving a car. And look, there's a dog driving a bus!

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

sagalout · Nearly there... Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Karma :

Suzuki really should make the most of their GSXR750 engine. I dont understand why they havent made a Z750 competitor, as it sells so well in Europe.
____________________
Current Bike: Triumph Speed Triple T309
Previous: CBR600F => ZX9R => Triumph Tiger => Honda Blackbird => GSXR 750 => Versys =>ZX12R

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

4Stroke · Scooby Slapper Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Karma :

I lust over more IL4 750 sports also.
Me and friends always said it was the best of both, the sweet spot.

The 750 is also a bit different which is nice.
Can get the Yamaha R7, but that is Exotica.

Wil · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Karma :

sagalout · Nearly there... Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Karma :

The Artist · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Karma :

They don't make 750 fours because its complicated. Think about it, the deisgners would have to divide 750cc's by 4, I mean come on, no one know the answer to that.

They have better things to be doing like drinking coffee and looking like they are doing something.

NSR Mick · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Karma :

The Artist · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Karma :

Wil · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Karma :

I think some kind of maths pie is involved. Or cake?
____________________
'07 Triumph Speed Four

Aw look, a baby driving a car. And look, there's a dog driving a bus!

The Artist · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Karma :

Charlie · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 May 2007 Karma :

Look at the other end of the scale, what sports 250-400s are there?

As in the learner legal stuff, only last year (or was it 2007?) Kawasaki brought out the 'Ninja' 250. Before then you had the aging 400s and 250s.

Which I'd imagine is a good market, they are going to sell plenty of spares because we (as in 17-21) are more likely to drop it, more likely to buy newer (if it looks good), more likely to use the dealer and get it repaired by the dealer due to our lack of experience in repair and maintenance. (this is all speaking in general terms)
____________________
Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

From what I've seen the new Kawasaki 250 is hardly a sports bike. Seems to be in a similar league to that faired GS500, etc.

Personally, I'd expect in general less younger riders are likely to buy new as they're less likely to have money. They're also less likely to be able to afford dealer prices to get servicing done too.
Not saying there's not some out there with lots of money and not so much sense, though Razz

.

Moonie · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Karma :

The Ninja 250 is a disgrace to the Ninja family.

Bungee hooks?
Four stroke and small capacity?
Upright riding position?

The guy on the review was saying he had to click down two gears to find enough power to overtake a lorry.
____________________
Don't practice it until you get it right, practice it until you don't get it wrong.
Presenting the one and only Chinkmobile Cool

Charlie · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 May 2007 Karma :

Hmm I thought that when I submitted but just thought meh. I personally wouldn't consider the Ninja 250 a sports either but I am sure the people who have it will. The ones I heard sounded like my mates GS500 to. Razz

If they are priced at a reasonable price new, you will often get parents willing to pay for the first bike as is the case with cars. Your right in saying they have more money then sense.

But you can't deny there isn't a market for it, as the current (i.e. late 90s) 250-400 market slowly starts drying up.
____________________
Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

There's a fair few gaps in the market but the manufacturers don't seem to care.

I'd love a new 250/400 of the CBR400/RS250 style but licensing laws changing means they just wouldn't sell as well as they used to. I do find it odd that other manufacturers don't do a 750 considering how well the GSXR sells, it's the perfect bike for someone who doesn't want to lose the handling of a 600 but wants a bit more poke.

In saying that the 750 got ugly of recent, the last one I really liked was the 2004 model.

Faldo · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Karma :

Before buying the 10R, I'd of been at the front of the queue if Kawasaki bought out a new ZX7R.

I love the 10Rs performance don't get me wrong, but I think I'd be quicker riding a 750 in the 6R frame. This is purely because I don't have the confidence to pin the throttle earlier out of bends with the 10 as I would with a 750.

Come on Kawasaki, whatever Suzuki can do, you can do better! Very Happy

____________________
Current: ZZR1400
Previous: ZXR 400 L9, ZX-7R P5, ZZR 400, ZX-7R P6, Bandit 600, GSXR 750 Slingshot, DRZ400, DR650, ZX10R C1H, ZXR 750 L1, ZXR 750 L3, '99 ZX7R P4, KTM 300 EXC, ZX-9R E1, TDM850