In Praise of 35 horses

[Triple Threat]

I vote this thread of the year.

 

[flying_hun]

I can't understand why more people don't enjoy going fast on a slow bike rather than going slow on a fast bike. Our "gang" of low weight and low HP riders have so much fun on our rides "racing" around at redline while still within legal limits (in most cases). We frequently pass cars and bigger bikes on our rides without issue and with no more than 18hp in most cases.

That looks like a fun list of bikes. The thought of getting on a bike like the CCW Misfit and running for time between McKittrick and Paso Robles on 58 on a bike that will barely do 70 mph sounds fun to me. arty

 

[pyramidhead]

Get off your high-horsepower machines. Got me a YSR50 that had 7 hp when it was new. By now, I'm rocking 5 hp on a well used engine. You squids know nothing about riding properly with those gargantuan 35 hp monsters. Trust me, you learn a lot about power to weight ratio and cornering speed with 5hp!

 

[Aereon]

This is why I'll most likely be picking up a cbr250 before I start track riding. Even though I want to take the 675r out, I feel like I can learn much more with a 250 as my first track bike until I feel ready for the 675

 

[JimE]

I learned more about riding by racing an RS125 in the AFM than I think I ever could have learned anywhere else. It was, by far, an easy bike to ride but the most difficult one to ride well. There's a reason all the Moto GP racers start on the smaller bikes. I've never ridden a bike that was faster in a corner.

 

[DefyInertia]

I own a WR250X and approve this message.

 

[iyeager]

"If you can't go fast with 20hp, what are you ever going to do with 200?" -Emerson Fittapaldi

"Almost anyone can ride a fast bike, but few can ride a bike fast." -Mick Doohan

 

[Foxton]

I've got a 1974 CB350F, can I join the 34 HP club?

 

[luckyducks]

I guess it all fall apart when you need to overtake 2-3 cars on a two lane country road.

 

[Old&InTheWay]

My Yamaha TMAX may be putting down 34HP at the rear wheel, but of all my bikes (of which the TMAX has the lowest power), it is the best, safest feeling bike for the freeway. It has plenty of power to pass at 70mph, stable in cross winds, handles like a much smaller bike around town, and can split lanes like nobody's business. It is also amazingly capable in the twisty mountain roads. The biggest problem with it is the scooter stigma!

 

[seavoyage]

Excellent OP

I was stuck in the 600cc and SBK rut for 8 road racing years before campaigning a GP 125 2-stroke. The change tremendously improved my technique over 3-years.

I recently discovered riding a low HP, lightweight (<146 lbs.) trials bike on difficult terrain to develop riding skills. This may be the most difficult but rewarding method to improve my riding skills. Reality check: After 4-decades of riding, I have terrible balance and horrible throttle/clutch control.

Unfortunately, I'm now in a phase where I may have developed a subjective opinion that street riding:

• feels very dull and isn't too safe;
• simply reinforces many bad habits that can have catastrophic consequences in limited traction situations; and
• has never really provided an efficient environment for me to develop into a more capable or refined rider

As a result, I've sold all my street bikes with the exception of a plated 2-stroke dirt bike.

 

[wildwhl]

I have to agree with the general point here...and I love riding the Hawk, CB250F, NC30 or any of the 400cc or less bikes in my reach much more than I do anything larger - RC51, Brutale, or even my trusty VFR800 for just this reason - more fun to (try) to ride a slow bike fast...

WW

(of course, the 919 is always a hoot no matter what...sort of some of both!)

 

[Crom]

I have to agree with the general point here...and I love riding the Hawk, CB250F, NC30 or any of the 400cc or less bikes in my reach much more than I do anything larger - RC51, Brutale, or even my trusty VFR800 for just this reason - more fun to (try) to ride a slow bike fast...

WW

(of course, the 919 is always a hoot no matter what...sort of some of both!)

Where did you ride a CB250F? Those where only sold in Japan and I've never seen one here. That's 35 horses I would seriously praise.

 

[wildwhl]

Well, Crom, most recently up 341 to VC and back

Here's a pic of her before I rode her across the bridge in the background a couple months ago.

Also, my current Hawk, really fantastic rider with Penske outback GVE+Raceteck in the forks + full TBR exhaust + wave rotor/braided lines/EBC pads. Super fun way to go *slow* quickly.

 

[Crom]

Oh you lucky dog, you actually own one That thing is beyond sweet. Looks really clean in the pics too

 

[wildwhl]

Oh you lucky dog, you actually own one That thing is beyond sweet. Looks really clean in the pics too

The Sansei Racing exhaust is the best exhaust note I've ever owned. Makes tons of sweet GP-like racket - makes the ride sound fast - and the KMH meter helps with that tom-foolery of the mind. The bike is really a ball.

WW

 

[Crom]

The Sansei Racing exhaust is the best exhaust note I've ever owned. Makes tons of sweet GP-like racket - makes the ride sound fast - and the KMH meter helps with that tom-foolery of the mind. The bike is really a ball.

WW

Ok I'm jealous now

If you ever want to sell that, let me know

 

[akasha]

In Praise of 35 Horses

Yup. This is about the joy and excitement of 35 ponies. If you're asking yourself, "Really? Does he intend to try and convince me that 35hp is a good thing?" you'd be wrong.

Are 35 ponies too few?

all true with one caveat …

when bracket racing turbo hayabusa’s make sure the 35 horsey bike has a 35 second dial in!

 

[Kurosaki]

I can't understand why more people don't enjoy going fast on a slow bike rather than going slow on a fast bike. Our "gang" of low weight and low HP riders have so much fun on our rides "racing" around at redline while still within legal limits (in most cases). We frequently pass cars and bigger bikes on our rides without issue and with no more than 18hp in most cases.

Why's it go to be one or the other? I enjoy going fast on a fast bike much more. I'm no pro by any means but I know how to ride my CBR bike well and am definitely not slow on it.

I do enjoy riding my 250 but I enjoy my 600RR more.

 

[Beauregard]

In Praise of 35 Horses...

Only thing that might be too small is your mind. Open it.