Low - midrange torque -- not as fun?

[postoak_imp]

Most I4's don't come into power till the higher rpm range. For example, my fz1 as a 1000cc sportbike had some power down low, but it didn't get into the power band till you were 4/5 in the rpms - around 8k with a 12k redline

So if you wanted to go "fast" you had to keep it there..

This sounds kinda what you described about your nighthawk 750, which while not as powerful as my fz1 probably exhibited the same response as it's the typical i4 curve.

While I liked my fz1, it was a great bike, I prefer the torque curve of a vtwin, where the power comes on immediately and it's consistient, you don't have to scream it to keep it in the power band.

When I was looking at a modern retro I was leaning toward the triumph's as while it's a parallel twin, it's 270 firing order (scrambler) provided a similar experience (same with the 360 of the Bonnie and thruxton, but not a much down low). I liked the cb1100 a lot (Honda guy), but was nervous about the i4 curve.. At least till i rode one, then I had to have one..

While the cb1100 is an i4, I found it actually had some power down low, in the 2-3 range. So for basic riding, around town and such, it's easy and has usable power but it's linear, maybe not as much as vtwin, as there is extra power up top, but it doesn't come on like a light switch ala my fz1. I suspect some of this is indicative of the fact I have a '13 so mine has 5 speeds, and it's geared so I'm not changing gears all the time.. Also based upon mods I have read about, I'm fairly certain that the cb1100 in stock form is de-tuned and deliberately set this way

If you like the behavior of the nighthawk, I'd take a look at some of the standards offered that have sporbike sourced engines. It won't have the same punch as the original, but should give you something akin to what you got with the nighthawk

Perhaps a Yamaha XSR900 that some other member is looking at?