The Case of the Too-powerful bike

[Stichill_imp]

There are several things that can happen when HP goes up:
[ul] [li]Bike gets heavier[/li] [li]Bike gets longer[/li] [li]Bike gets taller[/li] [li]Fuel tank gets bigger[/li] [li]Tires get wider[/li] [li]Brakes get larger / lever effort increases[/li] [li]Clutch gets heavier / lever effort increases[/li] [li]Engine heat increases
[/li][/ul] What this all means when put together is that a big part of the fun of a motorcycle — nimbleness — is lost in the effort to generate and manage higher HP.

I seem to always have more fun riding my CBR250R than I do any other bike. Yes, I've had bikes that are more comfortable or have much better passing power, but nothing to me so far beats a small-bore bike for riding engagement. What ferret calls "work" — twisting the throttle repeatedly and shifting up/down in response to conditions to manage speed and momentum — is what I call rider involvement in the craft of motorcycling.

Your last sentence resonates with me, especially the last phrase.

Your last sentence resonates with me, especially the last phrase.


My CBR250R has maybe 23 HP which to be honest is definitely on the lower extreme of what's pragmatic. The ideal small bike power would probably be in the 30-35 HP range. Low enough to remain small and lightweight but high enough to eliminate the need to work the engine at its limits continuously.

There are several things that can happen when HP goes up:
[ul] [li]Bike gets heavier[/li] [li]Bike gets longer[/li] [li]Bike gets taller[/li] [li]Fuel tank gets bigger[/li] [li]Tires get wider[/li] [li]Brakes get larger / lever effort increases[/li] [li]Clutch gets heavier / lever effort increases[/li] [li]Engine heat increases
[/li][/ul] What this all means when put together is that a big part of the fun of a motorcycle — nimbleness — is lost in the effort to generate and manage higher HP.

I seem to always have more fun riding my CBR250R than I do any other bike. Yes, I've had bikes that are more comfortable or have much better passing power, but nothing to me so far beats a small-bore bike for riding engagement. What ferret calls "work" — twisting the throttle repeatedly and shifting up/down in response to conditions to manage speed and momentum — is what I call rider involvement in the craft of motorcycling.

I can appreciate that. I really can. I've been there. Probably from 1965 up until the late 80s I was there. Can't imagine how many times I've twisted the throttle repeatedly, shifting up/down in response to conditions to manage speed and momentum. Hitting apexes, strafing turns, trail braking, side slipping, drafting, banging the swinging needle off the red line on the tach, braking hard, locking them up, sliding, counter steering. I'm certainly no stranger to the joy that kind of riding can provide to the so inclined.... BTDT a million times. Not to mention 10 years of racing Moto-X. I just ride a little differently now that I have a little age on me. I no longer need that extreme adrenelin rush to enjoy motorcycling. After 54 years of almost daily riding, I'm as happy now at 4000 rpms as I used to be at 9000 rpms. Don' t need the scares and close calls, being thankful for having survived that last fast run. It's why I appreciate bikes like the CB 1100 so much. It's a fun bike to ride easy. Shift if I want...don't shift if I don't feel like it. I don't have to work at riding, I just ride. Riding easier and enjoying it as much as ever.

There are several things that can happen when HP goes up:
[ul] [li]Bike gets heavier[/li] [li]Bike gets longer[/li] [li]Bike gets taller[/li] [li]Fuel tank gets bigger[/li] [li]Tires get wider[/li] [li]Brakes get larger / lever effort increases[/li] [li]Clutch gets heavier / lever effort increases[/li] [li]Engine heat increases
[/li][/ul] What this all means when put together is that a big part of the fun of a motorcycle — nimbleness — is lost in the effort to generate and manage higher HP.

I seem to always have more fun riding my CBR250R than I do any other bike. Yes, I've had bikes that are more comfortable or have much better passing power, but nothing to me so far beats a small-bore bike for riding engagement. What ferret calls "work" — twisting the throttle repeatedly and shifting up/down in response to conditions to manage speed and momentum — is what I call rider involvement in the craft of motorcycling.

I can appreciate that. I really can. I've been there. Probably from 1965 up until the late 80s I was there. Can't imagine how many times I've twisted the throttle repeatedly, shifting up/down in response to conditions to manage speed and momentum. Hitting apexes, strafing turns, trail braking, side slipping, drafting, banging the swinging needle off the red line on the tach, braking hard, locking them up, sliding, counter steering. I'm certainly no stranger to the joy that kind of riding can provide to the so inclined.... BTDT a million times. Not to mention 10 years of racing Moto-X. I just ride a little differently now that I have a little age on me. I no longer need that extreme adrenelin rush to enjoy motorcycling. After 54 years of almost daily riding, I'm as happy now at 4000 rpms as I used to be at 9000 rpms. Don' t need the scares and close calls, being thankful for having survived that last fast run. It's why I appreciate bikes like the CB 1100 so much. It's a fun bike to ride easy. Shift if I want...don't shift if I don't feel like it. I don't have to work at riding, I just ride. Riding easier and enjoying it as much as ever.

It's all about what gives each rider the pleasure and satisfaction they're looking for.