I'm trying to compare some bikes. I'm just curious as to why bike manufacturers do not list HP for their engines, so a buyer could compare.
Thoughts?
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Aug. 22, 2011 9:07 a.m. EvanR Reader
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Aug. 22, 2011 9:55 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork
I wonder too, but the magazines dyno test them so you can find out. Keep in mind that HP isn't everything, the new Diavel from Ducati is almost 50hp down on the new Star V-Max, but faster. Weight is important on bikes!
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Aug. 22, 2011 10:30 a.m. mistanfo SuperDork
The peak horsepower race that many bikes were in for years has made it rather silly. Numbers attained only at rpms that you will rarely, if ever see on the street (if you like having a drivers license). Go to your local library and ask a librarian (nicely) if they could help you search their magazines (they likely have an electronic service available on one of their computers). Check 0-60, 0-100, etc, as well as 60-0. Check ergonomics, which most bikes measure as well. Fr the last one, knowing how you fit on an existing measured bike helps.
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Aug. 22, 2011 12:31 p.m. Cotton Dork
Most most manufacturers list HP somewhere. maybe not on their main site, but the numbers are out there. What bikes have you been unable to find figures on?
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Aug. 22, 2011 1:14 p.m. Cotton Dork
mistanfo wrote:
The peak horsepower race that many bikes were in for years has made it rather silly. Numbers attained only at rpms that you will rarely, if ever see on the street (if you like having a drivers license). Go to your local library and ask a librarian (nicely) if they could help you search their magazines (they likely have an electronic service available on one of their computers). Check 0-60, 0-100, etc, as well as 60-0. Check ergonomics, which most bikes measure as well. Fr the last one, knowing how you fit on an existing measured bike helps.
You really have to take everything into account. HP, the power curve, the RIDER, performance numbers, weight, etc, so nothing is silly imho....it all adds up.
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Aug. 22, 2011 1:18 p.m. dogbreath Reader
Not to mention that with most of the high-power bike engines like in the supersports and superbikes the horsepower is going to be wildly different between different examples of the engine.
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Aug. 22, 2011 3:39 p.m. aircooled SuperDork
Another way to look at it. It's kind of a mute point since almost any sport bike you can buy will have way more power then you will ever really need (racing of course is another issue). If you are looking for pure power, just buy a Hayabusha and do your best to avoid killing yourself (well, at least other people).
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Aug. 22, 2011 3:43 p.m. dogbreath Reader
aircooled wrote:
Another way to look at it. It's kind of a mute point since almost any sport bike you can buy will have way more power then you will ever really need (racing of course is another issue). If you are looking for pure power, just buy a Hayabusha and do your best to avoid killing yourself (well, at least other people).
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/moot
Just FYI :)
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Aug. 22, 2011 4:29 p.m. Cotton Dork
aircooled wrote:
Another way to look at it. It's kind of a mute point since almost any sport bike you can buy will have way more power then you will ever really need (racing of course is another issue). If you are looking for pure power, just buy a Hayabusha and do your best to avoid killing yourself (well, at least other people).
The same can be said for a lot of cars. I don't buy cars based on "need" otherwise I'd be driving a boring appliance and have nothing cool in the garage. I've been riding dirt since I was 8 and street since 14 and have had all kinds of bikes, but these days prefer high HP bikes, even though I still have my old 82 Honda 450. In some instances the power can come in handy on the street...just like in a car imo. I am not saying some new rider should jump on a 150hp bike, but my 167hp BMW is pretty tame considering what it's capable of. Not all high HP bikes are that tame, but a lot are and between that, a little common sense, and some wrist control the higher HP bikes are just fine.
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Aug. 22, 2011 9:28 p.m. alex SuperDork
Looking at new sportbikes? Here's the spec for HP: too much. I mean, middleweight sportbikes are pushing 120hp these days.
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Aug. 23, 2011 8:18 a.m. stuart in mn SuperDork
Check the websites for one of the motorcycle magazines, like Cycle World or Motorcyclist - they should have summaries of the bikes they've tested.
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Aug. 29, 2011 4:46 p.m. 4eyes HalfDork
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Sept. 4, 2011 8:40 a.m. joey48442 SuperDork
A friend and I was discussing how we need to start talking in power to to weight ratios, and not just hp. As in, a 150 hp, 3000 pound car... Eh. But a 150hp bike, now that's something.
Joey
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Sept. 4, 2011 7:00 p.m. stroker HalfDork
joey48442 wrote:
A friend and I was discussing how we need to start talking in power to to weight ratios, and not just hp. As in, a 150 hp, 3000 pound car... Eh. But a 150hp bike, now that's something.
Joey
Yep. And all that HP going through a contact patch the size of your palm.
