Could not should

[Red Mist_imp]

Back in the 70's I rode my R75/5 with my girl friend at pillion. Our combined weight was better than 300lbs and the old air head Bimmer with about 55hp and a four speed tranny handled it all easily. The wife and I rode her 79 Kz650 all over Florida, switching pillion position at gas stops. Never had a problem with lack of power with the Kawasaki either. The CB1100 is a bloody rocket ship compared with these old bikes. I think we're just a bit spoiled these days.

People are used to spec-sheet bikes. No one, nobody, no how, can use the kind of power modern bikes make, under any circumstances. That's why they all have computer intervention. A 600 sportbike is considered a beginner bike, and plenty of new riders figure, why bother, I'll jump right to the 1000.

So "only 88 HP" as the salesman mentioned to me was Superbike territory in 1983. Are we great riders now, zipping around at triple-digits all day long on the freeway?

You really have to know how to RIDE to get around on a 50 HP motorcycle, loaded for distance. It's not at all unsafe. What's unsafe is someone on a modern bike who never learned the skills.

I cringe at threads where a guy is throwing 850 bucks at a slip-on pipe which doesn't do much but change the look of the bike. That money'd get ya three track days.