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[rboe]

what is the difference between big block and small block from a practical perspective?

DaSwami probably nailed it. I've only owned big block motors. But I "think" the small blocks rev higher. I've only ridden a couple and they were 750's and acted like "small" motors.

There is a Guzzi crowd out there that loves the small block (I'm not a member). I suspect small blocks are also in smaller frames, in general smaller bikes than the big blocks and that fact alone will cloud your judgement a bit.

Maybe if you thought of them as small V4 Chevy engines vs V8 big block motors; even if historically the horse power numbers are similar they will have a different feel to them.