Motorcycle Commuting - Why go bigger?

[Fenixgoon]

The weight difference isn't really that much. It is easier to handle a lighter bike at parking lot speeds, but with skill and practice you can turn just as slow and tight on 800lbs+ monsters.

In the 60-70s the average bike was well under 500cc, and they shared the road with fire breathing muscle cars. The 250s sold today can out accelerate most vehicles on the road.

Bigger bikes are an ego purchase. I ride a 1050cc Triumph because I want to, not because it is safer or better suited to legal speed limits than a Ninja 250.

actually it is. if you were to need to pass someone, the 1050cc triumph is going to be able to do it a lot better than a ninja250.

 

[JulesMaximus]

[/B]

actually it is. if you were to need to pass someone, the 1050cc triumph is going to be able to do it a lot better than a ninja250.

No kidding. I'm not even through breaking in the engine on my Ducati yet and this thing just leaps forward when you crack the throttle at 80mph. It is intoxicating.

The SV was no slouch but holy crap this thing scoots!

 

[DirthNader]

I actually got the Ninja out for a couple hundred miles this weekend. We've got one decently curvey and secluded road with a 55mph limit and enough visiblity that you could see a LEO a mile away. That was fun.

I also ended up on a toll expressway over to Orlando to drop in on my old man and help him around the house.

First time I've had the bike over 80mph. I was really surprised at how stable it felt. I was expecting it to be pushed all over the place, but wasn't. Even tucked in behind a semi when I realized I forgot my expressway transponder in an attempt to not get my picture taken at the toll plaza.

That said, I can see the appeal of a bigger bike now. At 80mph I was doing 9K in sixth gear, and pinning the throttle to pass at that speed resulted in nothing more than leisurely acceleration.

I see a 650R or SV650 in my future.

 

[Greenman]

No kidding. I'm not even through breaking in the engine on my Ducati yet and this thing just leaps forward when you crack the throttle at 80mph. It is intoxicating.

The SV was no slouch but holy crap this thing scoots!

Torque, it's the one thing liter bikes don't have.

You'll never be able ride anything but a v-twin now, you get hooked on grunt.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Torque, it's the one thing liter bikes don't have.

You'll never be able ride anything but a v-twin now, you get hooked on grunt.

Or you can get a zx14. After an exhaust, power commander, and a custom tune I was putting down 100lbs torque and 170 horses.:biggrin:

I have owned a big twin before. 1700cc roadstar warrior. I enjoyed it at the time. From 0-60 it was a rocket but quickly lost steam after that.

 

[Greenman]

I had no idea the inline 4's put down that kind of torque.

 

[JulesMaximus]

nm