The Case of the Too-powerful bike

[postoak_imp]

I created a post along these lines a long time ago when I got my CB1100 and I've had more time to think about it since. It seems like everybody always wants more power - more, more, more! Most reviews on youtube are like that -- "the bike could use more power and a sixth gear". Or if the reviewer doesn't say it, the commenters will.

I got sucked down that same path but unlike others, I'm willing to admit that something went wrong. These more powerful bikes just aren't as much fun to ride as less powerful ones.

I think it is because you can't use all the rev range. I can't afford to buy a lower power bike to make the experiment (although I thought about it, something along the lines of a Moto Guzzi V7 iii or a Kawasaki W800) but my current thinking is that what I enjoyed in my old Nighthawk 750 and missed in my later bikes is the ability to wind up through the revs in each gear.

With my current FJR1300 I find no occasion to ever go above 3500 RPM. If I do wind out in first gear, I'm done unless I'm entering the interstate because that takes me to 60 MPH. The CB1100 was pretty much the same.

Has anybody else had these thoughts and switched to a lower power bike and did the fun return? Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy riding but in this one aspect, not as much as I used to.

[GoldOxide_imp]

The CB1100 definitely satisfies with the option to wind-up.

I am not sure everyone can live everyday winding things up - I could be wrong though. Like implied, who is going to wind-up in traffic congestion?

I lower powered alternative bike is great for aspects of practical agility, economy, lower cost of ownership, and depending on model - a lower effort of cosmetics maintenance. They may take a little longer to get up to speed, however, it may also save you from yourself.

[the Ferret]

Modern liter bikes have ridiculous amounts of horsepower, I agree. I never use all the power of my CB or my FJR, rarely over 4000 rpms, but I dont miss running it up into the higher rpms. As a matter of fact I also have a CB 500x in my garage which I can ride whenever I want. Every time I do ride it all I can think of is how under powered it is . It doesnt start making any power until 4000 rpms, everytime I slow for a corner even a little I have to downshift once or twice, to make any headway coming out the other side. Some guys enjoy that dance. Personally I like riding the torque wave of a big bore bike and I'm fine with wasting a little ( or a lot ) of top end horsepower. When getting on the freeway, or in a passing situation, I like knowing I have more than enough. Nothing like needing a boost in speed, twisting the throttle and everything you need is right there. Actually to me the CB 1100 at only mid 80 hp is a good compromise.

Every once in awhile I like to test ride a 250-300 cc bike, one that you can use all the power on, to remind me just how much work it is to ride a small motorcycle.

[postoak_imp]

Goldoxide - I think you missed my point. You *can't* wind up the CB1100 anymore than you can the FJR1300. Can anybody remind me what speed you hit if you take first gear to redline on the CB?

Ferret - your CB500X sounds like it might be fun to ride for me. But I'm not willing to buy one to make the experiment!

[alprider]

take a monkey.... LOL....

[LongRanger_imp]

Yes! The old adage "it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow" certainly holds true for me. My F800GT, with its measly 90 hp, is more than capable and a blast to ride. So is my 10 hp Monkey. You may want to try a CBR250R just for fun. In reality, it's all one really needs on public roads, and supremely easy and unintimidating to live with.

[the Ferret]

speed is relative and largely a matter of gearing (although modern electronics alter that fact a bit). Your CB1100 could run 150 mph if geared appropriately, even with the ecu limitations, but it might take a while to get there. ECU flashed CB's have reportedly run 134 mph. I guess a proper question (and totally rhetorical) would what top speed is fast enough? and how fast does it need to get get there?

FYI in 1948 a stock 998cc Vincent Black Shadow with 55 hp would run 125 mph. Rollie Free's Vincent with 65 HP went 150.313 at Bonneville

[postoak_imp]

Bikes I considered (but won't be getting now that I've decided to go ahead with the clutch upgrade on my FJR) were the W800, the MG V7 Stone III (really like the quirkiness of that bike!), and the Suzuki TU250x). All 3 of those were on the retro list I compiled.

[pdedse]

I think part of the equation is what many mc enthusiasts will say to explain owning more than one motorcycle: "right tool for the job". Obviously, the tool is the bike and the job is what environment we ride in. Sometimes the environment makes riding X type of bike pointless.

I have the opportunity to spend up to 2 months in a rural area of Costa Rica every other year. There's a paved, curvy, winding road that heads down to the coast, and there's a paved, curvy, winding road that heads up and over a mountain pass to a city. That's about it for paved roads that go anywhere. The curves are relentless and tight and traffic often slows to a crawl because heavy trucks have to use the "hiway" as well. Having any bike over 300cc is overkill. If I had the cb1100 there, I'd never use 4th gear. My bike of choice--a Honda CGL125. I get to rap that thing up to it's max of 60mph every now and then, but most often it's 20-40mph, and I get to use quite a bit of the rpm range. It doesn't feel like too much work for me, it feels like the right bike for the job. When I tell CR friends I have a 1100cc bike in the U.S....you can just tell they're doing some mental math that doesn't add up.

I think the CB1100 has a good balance. More power / torque is always there when I want--although I understand maybe not for everybody. But I like the low fatigue factor when I do long trips with great hiway stretches where I can lock in at 70mph and barely break, what, 3000rpm? It let's me enjoy the ride.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Goldoxide - I think you missed my point. You *can't* wind up the CB1100 anymore than you can the FJR1300. Can anybody remind me what speed you hit if you take first gear to redline on the CB?

Ferret - your CB500X sounds like it might be fun to ride for me. But I'm not willing to buy one to make the experiment!

No point missed postoak. I wouldn't change my words. I believe we have differing perspectives on the matter. My point is I don't "wind" a lesser tiered bike. I feel the CB winds just fine.