When you can't do 75 mph...

Barchetta · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject:

Truth time.

I got a chance to ride with an american car driver for a couple hours and learned that yes the highways around Toronto are speedways but they are still slower than American Interstate Highways. Maybe that's why my 350 does ok for me. The bike will go 75 all day long, but I haven't been on the fast lane of an Interstate highway. I didn't intend to bend truth, (and don't know if I did) I just wanted to admit that I have since found out that the interstate highways are faster than what I ride. Smile

Russell · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:38 pm Post subject:

The idea that big engines and at least 4 cylinders is the only way to do big distances on a bike just makes me laugh. I enjoyed our bigger 4 cylinder bikes and still enjoy our Bandit, but they all feel busier in any gear at any speed than my experience on twins. Here in NZ we are lucky to have sweet f a of multi lane freeway. Why lucky?I've driven plenty of them in Canada, USA, and Europe and they do nothing for me. Just an efficient means of moving bulk vehicles from one point to another in the most direct possible route. For me a bike is about corners, uphills, downhills and all sorts of interesting road surfaces. Streaking through,past and around all those cars and big rigs on a litre plus bike at upwards of 80 mph just seems to me like an exercise in self-defeat as well as dangerous.If you think I'm full of crap then chances are you haven't hit something at those speeds yet,not even the road, because while I hope you don't, when you do if you survive there is a good chance you may start to see things differently.

Some-one panned a 350 for a wobble at 110 km or so. What has that to do with engine size?Something,or things, about the bike are not set up correctly.
Litre bikes will wobble too at lowish speeds if not set up correctly- only when you get the momentum of a heavy machine behind the wobble its that much harder to get back in control. Ever hear of the dreaded quirks of the locomotive like GSX1150ES Suzukis when the front tyre became half worn and the swing-arm tension was not spot on?

As some-one who has spent an enjoyable 1100km day on a DR350 single, and not once felt a lack of power was hindering my safety or enjoyment I find some of the statements I hear fascinating to say the least. Here in NZ as the baby boomer generation with disposable income have turned to motorcycles to 'define their lifestyles' the average engine size of bikes on our road has increased markedly.Interestingly the serious injury and fatality rate on bikes in NZ is now at its worst at the median rider age of 49 according to government figures. For a lot of these unfortunately now maimed or deceased riders its a fair bet that they too were deluding themselves with the bigger,bigger, bigger approach to bikes.

Yep...we're talking about different environments...but travelling in Europe we watched as scooters often 2-up whizzed along in the fast lanes of their expressways.Yes...some with 400-650 engines but still generally capable of speeds similar to a well tuned 350-450 twin bike. Some of you should at least consider that if you are finding yourselves in uncomfortable situations on the Interstates it may be that your own decision making needs some reflection or your riding skills need sharpening up.A big engine alone certainly isn't the answer, nor more pots.

Now I guess I should brace myself for the deluge of righteous ire?

H2Lou · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 12:43 pm Post subject:

If it has two wheels and you put gas in it…I ride it.
I avoid the 400 series highways around Toronto only because the idiots in cars.
Lane splitting, tailgating morons…they have no concept or conscience of how they drive.

Bops · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:00 am Post subject:

A lot of good input here. Just for some background on myself, I have been riding for about 25 years and have ridden every kind of bike from a Rupp Racer to a Harley Electraglide Classic and have "enjoyed" working on them all. My first bike I owned when I was 15-17 was a 1963 Harley Davidson 250 Sprint H. This bike was a single cylinder using old technology and considering that I weighed about 140 at the time, had no problem getting that one banger up to 55-60. Heck I even raced my best friend on his Honda Rebel at 80 mph.

Long story short, unless you are on a modern day 350 or smaller, you should not have problems getting to 70 mph unless there are mechanical issues holding the bike back. If you are riding a 350 - 750 cc bike and cannot reach 70 and still have acceleration left, you may have something as simple as some incorrect ignition timing or carb jetting. I also agree that a good all around bike these days is a 750 cc. I personally can have more fun on a 750 than I can on a 1300 and they are easier on the back pocket.

Hope this helps for what it is worth.

roncieri313 · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:20 am Post subject:

Can I just say...I love that squirrel drinking a guiness...sorry i digress

iba · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:31 am Post subject:

My 350 will do 130 (at the track). DITCH THOSE VALVES. Laughing

I try and avoid limited access roads unless I am really pinched for time. Old county roads and surface streets are worth the extra time to me, and they are usually much safer. It took a little while for me to train myself to be patient enough, but now I enjoy the slower, windier roads Ohio has to offer.

As far as underpowered bikes go, I would rather have a 300 lb. 50hp bike than a 420 lb. 100hp bike any day.

H2Lou · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:32 am Post subject:

He switches up the odd time but always goes back.

Barchetta · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:38 pm Post subject: