Why are motorcycles getting bigger?

[Grey Thumper]

These days, 600-750cc is considered a middleweight size for a standard or sportbike, and for cruisers it's an entry-level engine size. What gives?

I understand the logic for cars. More safety equipment, more sound deadening, more toys like satnav, power everything = heavier cars = bigger engines. But for the most part, bikes have none of these.

So what is it with bikes (specifically, bike engines) getting so freaking huge? Is it all just marketing?

[KingRobb]

Mostly American Ego.

"says the yank with the 95 inch fathead

[Thumper]

It's what people will buy.
Apparently, we're compensating for something...

[IanC83]

Our American mentality is "bigger is better".

Personally I think its stupid...alot of really cool, really practical small bikes never make it over here to the states.

Maybe once gas gets as expensive over here as it is in europe we will see a change in trends.

[slimcolo]

These days, 600-750cc is considered a middleweight size for a standard or sportbike, and for cruisers it's an entry-level engine size. What gives?

Things haven't changed all that much. When I started riding a 45 inch mill v twin was concidered a small sluggish bike (except the 101), 56 or 61 entry level most people thought the 30.50 were too small for anything but in town riding. (with the vert. twins 500 and smaller was seldom concidered after most Brits came out w/650s)

Now the Company no longer makes smaller bikes and their smallest is 56 CI (883)

[gsJack]

It's a real bummer, just been looking thru my 08 CW Buyer's Guide and there isn't a single bike in there I'd really want, not a one. I like basic standards like they sold here back when I started riding only a couple decades ago.

This is my 2nd GS500, had 4 old standard 400-750cc Hondas before that. Put 80k miles on the 1st GS and have 60k miles on the current one and might need one more before I get too old to climb on, but what?



Nothing sells in the US except cruisers and plastic wrapped sport bikes and I'd like another standard. If I lived in the EU market or many other places around the world I could get something like the very modern CBF500 to replace my ageing naked GS:



Raising gas prices could be a mixed blessing, when it hits $10 a gallon, I should be able to buy a bike like this in the US.

[gsJack]

Now the Company no longer makes smaller bikes and their smallest is 56 CI (883)

The 500 cc Blast is a product of the Company isn't it?

[KingRobb]

Now the Company no longer makes smaller bikes and their smallest is 56 CI (883)

The 500 cc Blast is a product of the Company isn't it?

yes, but alot of folks don't acknowledge them....whatever

[slimcolo]

The 500 cc Blast is a product of the Company isn't it?

They are ,but not sold through HD must go to a Buell dealer (not all HD dealers are Buell dealers, Outpost <Pueblo> sells HD only, PPHD <COS> sells HD, Buell, Guzi, Agusta and HYsong)

[flynrider]

It's a real bummer, just been looking thru my 08 CW Buyer's Guide and there isn't a single bike in there I'd really want, not a one. I like basic standards like they sold here back when I started riding only a couple decades ago.

I'm with you, Jack. I've been hanging on to my old Nighthawk because it doesn't look like I'll be able to buy anything like it in the forseeable future. I'm an old school guy from the UJM days when just about every bike was a standard. I remember when the Honda Interceptor came out in '83 with plastic from the factory. Many considered it an abomination (although it was a blast to ride).


I've owned a lot of bikes, but the majority have been 750cc or less. I'm a practical kind of guy and I can't see the advantage in buying a large, heavy bike with an engine as big as the one in my small truck. Even my 750 (inline 4) at around 70 hp is a bit overkill for just riding around town. I'd love to have something like my old KZ 400 (with its 58 mpg) for puttering in town.