How much horse power is enough?

Too much power is never enough.

It then depends on how hard you twist your right wrist, the throttle works both ways. My last tuned Hayabusa was 330bhp on road fuel, and very easy to ride on the road, ample power when it was required and could achieve almost 40mpg on a run. Once it had 119 octane race fuel onboard and the boost turned up, in stages each gear, it was well over 500 and would wheelie and wheelspin in every gear at will (and when it wanted as well) and was a real handful to ride under controlled conditions.

Want, need and capable of using (more HP) are age old questions for bikers I guess. I think we all want more don’t we? Let’s face it, you only have to use it when you want to or the opportunity presents.

Need it? I don’t really think so in the main, unless you get your ‘rocks off‘ blasting in a straight line (which is ok!) - difficult on most road networks though unless you live in certain parts of Germany, or want to keep your license. For most of us the majority of the fun is to be had in the twisties; the 961 is proof of HP sufficiency for me with only 80 ponies on tap she can be hustled through the corners with serious purpose, although ground clearance can be a bit of an issue. Does it need more HP to corner more effectively or be more fun in the twisties? Not really.

Capable of using it? I‘ll see Voodooo’s 90% plus and raise him to 98% plus; of riders of high end sports bikes that are not capable of using them through a combination of riding ability (or lack thereof) and road conditions. My opinion only, but I suspect many have died on the roads trying to disprove that theory. Geez, I’m a cheerful bugger aren’t I!?

Anything more that causes you to ride faster than your guardian can fly can be problematic!

Todays onboard nanny tech makes many more brave riders than in the ‘70’s …. there are riders in our local Duke club with 200hp plus examples , a couple can use some of it ,most just ride with the pack with all settings at safe mode …. I don’t mind ABS but it not a deciding factor , non in shed right now, only rider aid I have experience with

Voodooo said:

How much horse power is enough for the majority of riders?
I’m talking on the road, not track.

Kyle Wyman, a professional motorcycle racer and champion Battle of the Baggers racer, thinks stock hp is more than plenty. I agree with him.
Isn’t 100hp enough? Dose anyone really need more?
Do stock bikes need to come stock with 120,150, 200hp?

I’d say 90+% of the people on the road or people with modified motors increasing the hp can’t handle them or the power anyhow.
So what’s the point. Perhaps I’m getting too old and kinda see it as being pointless to go beyond the 100-120 hp range.

I’d much rather have less weight, better suspension and better brakes with comfort whether it’s cafe, sport or cruiser riding position.

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If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower.

Mark Donohue

Craig said:

Todays onboard nanny tech makes many more brave riders than in the ‘70’s …. there are riders in our local Duke club with 200hp plus examples , a couple can use some of it ,most just ride with the pack with all settings at safe mode …. I don’t mind ABS but it not a deciding factor , non in shed right now, only rider aid I have experience with

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Same with my riding mates V4S. He’s a much quicker rider than my pedestrian efforts will ever achieve, but he’s only using a fraction of its potential. He leaves it in ‘Street’ mode with all the other tech (wheelie mode etc) in play. He has a set of aftermarket wings fitted to the fairing that he believes make a difference - I strongly suspect that they do bugger all until silly speeds are achieved.

But when he bangs the throttle open on a straight with his 214 hp rocket ship it is a sight to behold, as he disappears beyond my 80 hp viewing distance! I guess then my deficit of hp (and riding ability) are a little more apparent! Always makes me smile, and just a little bit envious!!

Can’t do this on my 990 either! I’m suddenly feeling all inadequate!

Yes , Stephen S. , same thing happens to me , I try to smile and blame it on age and lack of willingness to spend that much on a toy …. Still kinda wish …..

mean gene said:

Owned a Ducati 900SS with 80 some hp. It was not the fastest for all out mph but for cornering it was more then ample. I also had a BMW sport touring with 173 hp. Why? I honestly didn't read up on the BMW till after I bought it. But why do you have that hp for a touring bike? But it would blister a rear tire with traction control off! If your asking for a vote on hp I would say 80 - 100 is ample.

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Fully loaded, two up, short passing zone. Not another legal passing zone for the next 25 miles of delicious mountain road. To dispatch a dawdler in a nanosecond. That's why.

69 RWHP

With age comes wisdom! Besides our experience's remind us how it hurts!

TonyA said:

69 RWHP

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but tony those fork gaiters!!

As others have noted , it is really a subjective thing . I currently have 4 bikes roadworthy.
1950 ES2 - 20 -25 hp at the crank ?
1972 Combat Roadster - 60 - 64 hp ?
1990 Honda GB 500 - 38 hp IIRC
2007 Honda ST 1300 - 115 hp at the wheel ?
Obviously the HP/weight ratio effects the performance but beyond that it becomes a question of where /why you are riding.

I ride the ST very little these days and would probably sell it but even though it is pristine it has such a low value that I may as well keep it . It also has a different power delivery than anything else-
extremely smooth - almost turbine like ( I imagine as I have never operated ANYTHING powered by a turbine) - and the rpm’s just stop when rolling off the throttle. I don’t know if this is due to low flywheel effect from a mass standpoint or due to engine mapping or perhaps both . But it seems just right on trips , particularly on the super slabs .

The ES2 is the polar opposite - a 72 year old bike that will happily plug along at 55mph all day but becomes a little unhappy and even worrisome at 65 . But on short rides on a beautiful day with a casual attitude it is hard to beat .

The GB Honda is an enigma . Not a lot of grunt but when the mood is right that becomes part of the fun . Get it rolling and try to keep it there by staying of the brakes . It is the most flickable bike I have ever ridden and it always leaves me with a grin on my face.

If I could only keep one however it would be the Commando.
More power than my skills can fully exploit and a wonderful chassis for a guy like me . I am simply mad about it and always will be . I love the taught suspension and on rails tracking feel yet turns almost by thought . Couple that with the music it makes and a gearbox that is hard to beat, at least in the tactile sense . Effortless positive snicks . It is also easy on the eyes and encompasses all the right elements for me .

City Garage said:

but tony those fork gaiters!!

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Yea , They aren’t the right size , but all I had at the time. I’ve got new gaiters I will fit that will look better.

Shelby-Right said:

I have a all forged 580hp car 100mph in 7.0 sec, ¼ mile 10.91@127mph, manual trans, it's a blast, 3rd gear can really take your breath away if you haven't had your foot in it for a while, totally unnecessary ,and stuff has more chance to break . I'm really only used to dirt bikes and I am new to road riding so 750 norton with 60 odd hp is cool for cruising. Cheers .

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To me car hp is a totally different story. I think

Flatspot said:

Too much power is never enough.

It then depends on how hard you twist your right wrist, the throttle works both ways. My last tuned Hayabusa was 330bhp on road fuel, and very easy to ride on the road, ample power when it was required and could achieve almost 40mpg on a run. Once it had 119 octane race fuel onboard and the boost turned up, in stages each gear, it was well over 500 and would wheelie and wheelspin in every gear at will (and when it wanted as well) and was a real handful to ride under controlled conditions.

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no offense, but how is something being a handful under control lol.

Lineslinger said:

If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower.

Mark Donohue

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Lol that’s in a car and Mark was a professional

Started re-learning to ride a bike after a long layup and stiff joints. Started with the bike I could sit on comfortably, and kickstart -- the 60 Matchless G80CS. How much HP is that? 30, 32? But bags of torque right out of the gate. So I plunk down the deer infested lanes with gravel on blind corners at 45MPH. Loosen up a bit, hips relax and stop cramping. Maybe I'll let 'er rip to 50 on the second half of the loop.

A couple of weeks later I get the Atlas back up and running after sitting 14 years. I discover from kicking the Matchless that my right leg is not totally useless after a hip fracture a few years ago, they told me that kills younger men. And I give the Atlas' lever a kick after making sure the timing is spot on to a little retarded, the carbs are clean as a whistle and the gas is fresh. Second kick. Fire. No pain. Off down the loop. Mid day no deer about, crack the throttle wide open, pulls hard. Nice sound; seventy five by the end of the straight. Too much fun. Skills a bit rusty, reactions a bit slow. Sixty hp is plenty for today. Fit new tires, ride the loop some more, mid day only; don't like them. Put the old ones back on. Nothing flicks through the corners like a Featherbed Norton with the right tires. Practice riding some more. Build my courage and skill a bit. Sit on the Commando Interstate, feeling how my hips hurt in that seating position. Just relax, breathe into it. Pain subsides. Do some more siting tomorrow. Practice putting my foot on the ground then the pegs, ground, pegs, ground, pegs. Only a little pain. Ride the Matchless some more. Thirty two hp is just fine but the Commando beckins. I haven't ridden it since I put the 13 inch disc on the front following nearly nailing a pedesrtian who stepped out of the deep shadow into the setting sun. Maybe tomorrow if it's nice I'll ride the MKIII. Tomorrow comes. I venture down the half-mile gravel driveway and stop at the mailboxes. Remember, put the left foot down this time. Out onto the loop. Oh, what a song two peashooters and the ham-can air filter make. Smooth. I wick it on down the straight. Harmony. Seventy five before I know it but then comes the chicane with the bind corner. Cut it back with that new disc. Works good! What's a hopped up MKIII engine got? 70hp? More than enough anyway. I love this bike. I'll do this again tomorrow if it's dry. If not I'll ride the Matchless.

Voodooo said:

Lol that’s in a car and Mark was a professional

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Its a thread on horsepower...and...its a great quote from MD.
The crossover applications of HP and torque offer the same kick in the pants no matter what you ride...or drive...or fly, which are understood and obvious to most.
AND in a thread discussing, appraising and assessing HP there is no downside to quoting the thoughts of one of the best to drive any vehicle...ever.

Voodooo said:

To me car hp is a totally different story. I think

no offense, but how is something being a handful under control lol.

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Well the controlled conditions are a very smooth, flat and very long runway for starters with no other riders on the track at the same time. At one time we used the only runway in Europe that was retained and cared for as an emergency landing strip for the Space Shuttle, at over 1.75 miles long it was great for standing start 1 mile events and sometimes 1.25 mile.

mean gene said:

With age comes wisdom! Besides our experience's remind us how it hurts!

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The unwise bikers I knew didn't come to age.

Lineslinger said:

Its a thread on horsepower...and...its a great quote from MD.
The crossover applications of HP and torque offer the same kick in the pants no matter what you ride...or drive...or fly, which are understood and obvious to most.
AND in a thread discussing, appraising and assessing HP there is no downside to quoting the thoughts of one of the best to drive any vehicle...ever.

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I understand what you’re saying. But I can easily handle 500+ hp in a car.

I don’t have that confidence to handle 200 hp on a bike.

As good as Mark was, I always was more into Carroll Shelby, Ken Miles, Dan Gurney, and Bob Glidden.