Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Have a beer, Kal!

I have to admit that Kal makes some good points. Smaller, less powerful bikes force the rider to learn how to get the most out of what they have. To make time you actually have to pay attention to being in the proper gear, your braking points, and keeping the bike in the rpm range to get the full use of the power. You also have to learn to keep your cornering speed up because you don't have the extra power to make it up in the straights.

But it sure is fun to take a 35-40 hp single cylinder bike out and drive the sport-bikes nuts. I have been known to play in the twisties with the small bikes. When the kids with the latest sport bikes find out they have been harassed by an old guy on a 25 year old thumper.... Big fun!

There's just no substitute for the adrenaline rush you get when you pin the throttle on a powerful bike. That said, the merits of "smaller" bikes have not been forgotten. The recent arrival of hypermotards is an indication of this trend.

Exploring the limits of a smaller bike on a twisty back road can be a thrill a minute. Exploring the limits of a smaller bike on a freeway onramp, on the other hand, is a different story.

I have to agree with Kal. I started riding two years ago on a 21 year old, 67hp 650cc I4 UJM. Last year I upgraded to a 2005, 33hp, 650cc single. I'm having way more fun with my current bike than I ever did with my old one. Half the hp, yes, but 2/3 the weight and more than twice the versatility. I can still out-accelerate most cars off the lights when riding in town, and I love the fact that I can take shortcuts that most other riders can't.

I just spent a couple hours today riding through some housing development areas, honing my low speed off-pavement skills and having a blast. I definitely don't want a bigger, more powerful bike, and even after almost a year of riding my 'underpowered' KLR, I'm certainly not 'bored' with it. I'll probably ride this thing till I die.

there's lots of fun to be had on a low hp bike.

ZooTech wrote: Exploring the limits of a smaller bike on a twisty back road can be a thrill a minute. Exploring the limits of a smaller bike on a freeway onramp, on the other hand, is a different story.

+1. I loved my little 500, except when i had to acclerate. . . up a hill, not to good. Though i had no where near mastered the bike or become a pro a using all its power, hence whey im gonna get anouther one.


JWF

Now I'm sure there are some brits who complain and say they grow outta a bike to fast as well. Complaining and boasting or whatever isn't country specific.

However tea is....

Tea is good... discuss.