I just dont get it - Bike displacement and Americans

[9000white]

i know one thing.if you get between a rock and a hard place while riding on the interstate highways here the more power you have got the better.no time for a 350 that will acelerate from 60 to 80 in the same day.

[ronboskz650sr]

I mean come on. What kind of weight are we hauling here? Its not like you are attempting to tow a Buick at 110mph, is it???
So please explain it to me, because right now I dont understand.
[/i][/b]

We'd have to post some embarrassing photos to explain this one ...especially for two-up. We are the land of overeating, and under-walking.

As for me, my 650 flies my 220 dressed pounds just fine...a little anemic two-up with anyone else at 220, but still doable. For me, more power would be great, because I love to ride, and I want a rush. Fortunately, we have curves here, so I ride in the country where turning is the rush. In town, I could see having more power, but it's a desire, not a need. I would probably get alot of tickets if I had a true wheelie machine.

[flynrider]

Hey Kal,

I'm an American and I've got to admit, I have been wondering the same thing as I've seen displacement climbing over the last few decades. One thing I've noticed is that the large displacement bikes tend to be twins of various configurations. Twins tend to be very generous on the torque curve, but fall short when it comes to HP, when compared to their multi-cylinder bretheren. One solution is to increase the displacement.

Overall, I tend to go for just enough engine to get the job done. The de-rated inline four on my CB750 makes 67 hp at the rear wheel. Frankly, that's about all I can use for street riding. It'll wind up past 100 mph before it gets out of 4th gear and doesn't seem to notice whether there are one or two people on board.

I''ve ridden some of the larger displacement twins that my buddies own, and while they're certainly fun to ride (what isn't?), I haven't been able to put my finger on the utility of such a large engine (1.8L - 2.0L).

BTW - I'm also mystified by the lower diplacement, absurdly high HP midsize bikes. I rode a kaw 636 a few weeks ago that made some ridiculous power. I can't imagine what you'd do with all that unless you took it to the track. Sure, it'll blow my CB750 away at the traffic light, but it'll also be doing 110 mph before it gets a block away.

Perhaps I'm just an old 70s motorcycle geezer who's missing something obvious. It just seems like overkill to me.

[ZooTech]

One thing that may surprise a lot of big bike owners is that while they have a lot of power on tap, they don't have as much carrying capacity as they might think.

It's a bike, not a truck or a school bus, so capacity isn't the issue. It's about maintaining stability and passing power even when toting ~150 extra pounds.

The size is also about ergos, and about cruising all these millions of miles of freeways at lower than average RPM's. My bike spins maybe 3500 RPM's at 80mph, while my NightHawk 700SC would have been in the upper 5000 range. Also, I have all of my torque available from just above idle, so I am able to slow from 55mph and enter a small 35mph town and leave the bike in 5th gear, then power out the other side, still in 5th, and get back up to 55mph with no problem. While that ability is not necessary to have, I still like it. Period.

[niterider]

I had a 454 ltd that ran great 100+mph, I replaced it with a 750 vulcan. I sure miss the sixth gear from the 454, oh well, The rpm difference is the main reason that I like the bigger bike better. Even with the sixth gear the rpms were higher than that of the 750. I ride 50 miles a day to work and back, sometimes against the wind the bigger bike maintains it's speed easier than the the smaller bike did. I don't consider the 750 a big cycle. It is for me at 116 lbs and 5'3''.

[High_Side]

It's the torque, plain and simple. Any new 600cc sportbike would kill my 1000cc V-twin when pushed to the limit, but my bike can go fast effortlessly, pass without gearing down, and make me faster on a tight road than I could be on a powerful smaller bike.
Everytime I've bought a new bike I think: "I'll never need any more than this things got".......then I find out otherwise....

[Aquaduct]

I work as a powertrain engineer for Volvo (the trucks, not the cars) so I've got some pretty significant experience with and in both Europe and , of course, the US.

When it comes to the US, there are always a bunch of things that surprise your typical European (my dealing are mostly with Swedes and French, but also the occasional Brit). Like outlet malls. Of course, when they get here, they can't wait to go shopping since they might actually be able to afford things like a decent set of golf clubs.

And speaking of golf, the Swedes are particularly nuts about playing here. Seems you don't need a second mortgage and family connections to get a tee time at the local municipal course here, unlike back home.

And fuel is cheap here since we aren't nearly as outrageous in our taxation as Europeans are. Even Canadians are impressed by our fuel prices. One Canadian fuel engineer that I see lecturing always jokes about how he's glad to be here soaking up free fuel.

One thing that always surprises Euros here is the truck traffic. This is an enormous country. I think all but about 5 of our states are bigger than the UK. I think it's something like 3500 miles (or more) from California to New York. Our trucks tend to be big and fast. We just released a 605 hp 16L diesel for truckers that want to go 75 mph from New York to California without even slowing when they hit the Rockie mountains. One engineer from Sweden that was here a couple weeks ago couldn't get over being passed by semi-trucks, routinely.

So we're different. Economy tends not to be as high on the buying priority list. No matter how you try to push fuel economy, power moves metal on the showroom floor. Along with comfort and convenience.

I've got a 100 mile round trip commute up and down interstate 81, which is a major truck corridor between New York City and Nashville with a speed limit of 70 mph for most of the trip and a practical speed of closer to 80. The smallest bike I would consider is a 650. My wife made me give up 20% of my fuel economy for a 1200 Trophy. It makes her much more comfortable, and, in truth, there really is no point in arguing.

[isnowbrd]

I completely agree with you Kal. Just keep in mind that not all Americans believe bigger is better when it comes to vehicles.

My biggest problem is with all of the SUV drivers. They are the most inconsiderate, and selfish drivers on the road in my opinion. Mostly I feel that way because 99% of them have absolutely no need for a vehicle like that. They just want to be the largest, most powerful thing on the road, so that when they get in an accident, it's all of the people in the other vehicle that are killed or injured. They don't care that their beast consumes 2-3 times as much fuel as the average vehicle, and therefore pollutes that much more. Have you seen any of our major cities such as L.A. or New York? There is this constant smog that hovers over the city. Fresh air is a precious commodity. And yet people don't want to have the slightest inconvenience to themselves, and think about buying a vehicle that actually fits their needs.

Personally I don't care how large anyone's motorcycle is. No matter what, it's better than any four wheeled vehicle larger than a civic. Unlike SUV drivers, (again-the people that don't need them) motorcyclist are some of the most unselfish people on the road. They aren't endangering other peoples lives with their mass, and they aren't create huge amouts of pollution unnecessarily.

And Zootech,
It's Americans like you, with that haughty attitude, thinking that you are so much better than everyone else simply because you had the fortune to be born in such a great country, that makes 90% of the rest of the world hate Americans. When I read some of the things you write, I am embarrassed that you are a fellow American. I don’t care how right you are, or think you are, think before you say something.

[iwannadie]

I didnt want to disrespect Nibblets thread anymore thanit already was. besides its something that has been bugging me about a lot of the American Newbies that show up here.

Surely that just means that your passengers arent able to pillion??? A pillion should move along with the rider.

What the hell do you need even more power for???

I mean it I really dont understand what you are doing over there that requires massive engines as a baseline and I am trying, I really mean I am trying?

not to step on anyones feet with this one but, i think people are more willing to get a bigger bike because it practically rides itself(once you get it up to speed). the more the bike out weighs the riders the less control the riders have. if you have a passenger that doesnt know how to ride on a small bike they can steer the bike around for you. or if you dont know how to ride the bigger bike will keep you more stable and stright on the freeways. maybe people should focus on learning to ride the small bike properly and not rely on the size and weight of the bike to do it for them. just my thoughts again not trying to call anyones riding skills out, something to think about though.

i know when i was first learning to ride on my marauder800 my gf didnt have nearly as much control as she does now on my katana600 which weighs alot less and puts her higher up. weve both learned to adjust for the bike and its not a problem now however.

[TechTMW]

not to step on anyones feet with this one but, i think people are more willing to get a bigger bike because it practically rides itself(once you get it up to speed)..

I would have to agree. It's the same mentality that causes 95% of new Cars in America to be sold w/ automatic transmissions. I don't think people lack the skill - they just want the path of least resistance ... and why not? It's there for the taking.

I've ridden all styles of bikes in America and Europe. I still lust after some of the bigger bikes - especially to take back to the states with me. But on the other hand, I find myself gravitating towars smaller bikes while I'm here on the continent. It's got alot to do with where you are, but Kal I daresay that you are failing to see the point because you've never ridden a big bike in America. It's just part of the culture, and you have to admit - if you are doing a 1000 mile day, it's much nicer to do it on a large comfy bike.

I don't think that excuses newbs wanting to learn on 600cc superbikes, or the posers who just want the biggest displacement POS to show off. (Or for that matter Urban dwellwers who never ride 50 miles outside the city limits)

However, It's just part of the national fabric - something that's ingrained in people who don't know any better.

Sorta Like Teatime in the UK ... WTF is up w/ that??