|
Author |
Message |
F1.ash |
This post is not being displayed .
|
F1.ash Renault 5 Driver
Joined: 29 Nov 2016 Karma :
|
Posted: 09:58 - 09 Mar 2018 Post subject: BHP required for 'normal' riding |
|
|
Okay, I have this notion which was spawned by a really good ride out I had the other weekend and it raised a question...'how much power do I really need?'
My current bike has 115bhp (GSX-S750) and it's your typical smooth Japanese IL4 - very capable, very efficient and almost without personality below a certain point. Even this is mid-range by today's standards. I feel that it comes alive at speeds that could potentially be problem.
While this was fresh in my mind I dropped into CMW Motorcycles while I was passing, they happen to be a Moto Guzzi dealer, and I had a good look at a V7 lll. It struck me as a bike with character, individuality and a lot less power, 52bhp to be precise. Riding a Thruxton regularly I recalled how that makes you feel - looks great, makes you feel great and gives loads of sensory feedback at any speed. Granted it has more power but it never compels you to rev it out in order to get a grin.
So, in real world terms the question is this - is 52bhp enough power to keep you entertained? I think it could be. At present I maybe use 20% of the bikes power for 75% of the time. With 52bhp maybe I'll be getting at 75% of it's power for 80% of the time with enough in reserve for overtakes at legal limits. These are of course estimated percentages but you see what's going on here.
I'm going to test ride one tomorrow and see how I feel about this theory. In the meantime, thoughts please...
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
B5234FT |
This post is not being displayed .
|
B5234FT Brolly Dolly
Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
stinkwheel |
This post is not being displayed .
|
stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
|
Posted: 10:32 - 09 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
|
|
My wifes YB100 is an absolute hoot and if it's power output is into double figures, I'll be very surprised.
Power output is largely irrelevant, it's what you do with it.
You wont even feel like thrashing a Guzzi. If you're a guzzi person you'll just ride it about with a grin on your face... when you're not fixing the electrics.
52bhp is more than enough to lose your licence. ____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
MarJay |
This post is not being displayed .
|
MarJay But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
P. |
This post is not being displayed .
|
P. Red Rocket
Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :
|
Posted: 10:38 - 09 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
|
|
I would probably be OK day to day with 50-60hp, either having to work hard for it, or be lazy.
Having 150+ though makes my willy bigger |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
ThatDippyTwat |
This post is not being displayed .
|
ThatDippyTwat World Chat Champion
Joined: 07 Aug 2016 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Rogerborg |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
|
Posted: 10:52 - 09 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
|
|
In a "spirited group ride" I'd want a hundred horses or more to keep up with the cool kids. But I don't do that sort of riding.
Solo, and out for pleasure rather than commuting, I have more fun with less power and speed.
The ~70hp of my Tractor is very accessible without having to bang down 3 gears to get to it, but even with that modest (by modern standards) output, most of it goes unused most of the time.
~20hp on an Enfield is just fine if you're out to go nowhere in no particular time.
Every one of the 30 horses in a NInja 250 can be hilariously used and abused. Rev limiter, rev limiter, rev limiter... oooh, 60mph.
70hp+ from an IL4 doesn't suit my idiom: by the time the fun comes in, I'm already out of my comfort zone on poorly maintained, heavily trafficked $CURRENT_YEAR UK public highways.
If I could only have one bike, it reckon it would be a twin in the 40 - 60 range. Guzzi, Bonneville / Thruxton, Duke 390 if it wasn't a Duke 390, the new Ninja 400 might be interesting. A naked version might be interestinger.
But triple figure rev machines? Nah, not for me. ____________________ Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
chris-red |
This post is not being displayed .
|
chris-red Have you considered a TDM?
Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
TheMadRatter |
This post is not being displayed .
|
TheMadRatter Scooby Slapper
Joined: 26 Dec 2017 Karma :
|
Posted: 10:56 - 09 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
|
|
Depends on where I'm going and how long I've got to get there
I'm happy pootling around on 8hp chinese 125. Also happy with 90something bhp Fazer.
Personally, I prefer an engine that doesn't have to work to get moving so the torque is where it's at for me - not overly interested int he top speed I can achieve lol.
I'm too old before my time... hand me my GL1800 keys ____________________ TheMadRatter | Lurch .:. Afghan Heroes ✓, RTWR ?,Rainpal ?
CM125 X|GZ125 X|Cagiva Elefant X|GL1200 ✓|Aprilia Classic X|GSX400T X|Kymco Hipster ✓|Kymco Zing X|XV535 X|VL750P X|FZ6 ✓|FJ1100 X|Desperado ✓|Countless Chinese imports ✓|Rialto Trike ✓|Countless forgotten rides
Last edited by TheMadRatter on 11:33 - 09 Mar 2018; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
F1.ash |
This post is not being displayed .
|
F1.ash Renault 5 Driver
Joined: 29 Nov 2016 Karma :
|
Posted: 11:14 - 09 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
|
|
Well, positive posts. I was looking forward to this ride anyhow but it's good to know that my thoughts aren't without foundation.
I ride on my own for pleasure with no particular schedule or deadline, no commuting and no track days so maybe this will work.
Thank you gents |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
P. |
This post is not being displayed .
|
P. Red Rocket
Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Cadbury |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Cadbury Crazy Courier
Joined: 05 Oct 2011 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
ThatDippyTwat |
This post is not being displayed .
|
ThatDippyTwat World Chat Champion
Joined: 07 Aug 2016 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
TheMadRatter |
This post is not being displayed .
|
TheMadRatter Scooby Slapper
Joined: 26 Dec 2017 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Rogerborg |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
grr666 |
This post is not being displayed .
|
grr666 Super Spammer
Joined: 16 Jun 2014 Karma :
|
Posted: 12:15 - 09 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
|
|
Rogerborg wrote: |
70hp+ from an IL4 doesn't suit my idiom: by the time the fun comes in, I'm already out of my comfort zone on poorly maintained, heavily trafficked $CURRENT_YEAR UK public highways.
If I could only have one bike, it reckon it would be a twin in the 40 - 60 range. Guzzi, Bonneville / Thruxton, Duke 390 if it wasn't a Duke 390, the new Ninja 400 might be interesting. A naked version might be interestinger.
But triple figure rev machines? Nah, not for me. |
Have you had a go on a triple Roger? For me it's not BHP that counts it's torque. That's what you need for day to day
riding, a good strong pull at any revs and in pretty much any gear. Mine tops out at 11k. But it still pulls HARD at 2k
3k 4k 5k 6k 7k 8k and 9k. TBH if you're going for it, first gear is pretty useless. ____________________ Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off. |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Rogerborg |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
kgm |
This post is not being displayed .
|
kgm World Chat Champion
Joined: 04 Jun 2015 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
GSTEEL32 |
This post is not being displayed .
|
GSTEEL32 Traffic Copper
Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
stinkwheel |
This post is not being displayed .
|
stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
|
Posted: 12:58 - 09 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
|
|
A CB500 makes a claimed 55bhp and with a good rider, you'd struggle to keep up with them on a road on anything.
One of the fastest riders I've seen on normal roads, bar none, was on an SZR660 single. He had a running battle over about 300 miles of fast twisty Scottish A-roads with the fastest rider in our club on a ZX9R (someone who decided to take up club racing 2 years ago at the age of 50 and has got a sponsored ride in the Spa classics this year). They arrived together.
An SZR660 makes about 40bhp. ____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
chickenstrip |
This post is not being displayed .
|
chickenstrip Super Spammer
Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :
|
Posted: 13:02 - 09 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
|
|
Depends on you, and the kind of riding you do/places you ride. There is no set "you need x bhp". Small, low powered bikes can be fun; large, high powered bikes can be fun. ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Hawkeye1250FA |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Hawkeye1250FA World Chat Champion
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Baffler186 |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Baffler186 World Chat Champion
Joined: 31 May 2013 Karma :
|
Posted: 13:38 - 09 Mar 2018 Post subject: |
|
|
For commuting, my ~25bhp Hondamatic was just enough to get ahead of cars, but I would still want double that on a motorway. That said, speeds above 60 were not pleasant, it was like riding a tumble dryer. For pleasure though, it was enough for that sort of bike and that sort of ride, a bit like the Enfield.
The Sv650 is ideal for me for both commuting and pleasure, which is what I need it for being the only bike I have.
So in summary, 70ish bhp from a twin would be my minimum for a do-it-all bike, perhaps 60ish from an IL4 ____________________ Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Loui5D |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Loui5D Brolly Dolly
Joined: 22 Sep 2014 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
MarJay |
This post is not being displayed .
|
MarJay But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 6 years, 92 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
|
|
|