Comments on: Motorcycle Horsepower Wars – Are they back?

By: Robert Gange, Jr.

Robert Gange, Jr. — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:53:56 +0000

My first road bike was a Honda 500 4 cylinder, than a Honda 650 4, than a new Honda 750 Night Hawk. The last bike was absolute perfection. The bike had all that I needed and wanted for general useage. I wish I could find another! They simply do not exist. That was the epitome of the evolution of the American motorcycle as it evolved into a practical riding machine….great fun…quick…nimble…..good looking….inexespensive…$4K…
2.9 sec 0-60!!!….12.9sec 1/4 mile!!!! 489lbs. Candy apple red…..flawless in every way from the day I got it until it was sold. Yesterdeay Iwas in a Sukuki, Kawasaki dealer and out of all the beautifull new bikes on their floor, none really apealled to me, as what I had in mind. They were all glamourized. ultra high output quasi road race type bikes. I want a mid 1980′s Honda 900F Super Sport!!!!!!!!!!

By: Robert Douglas Peachey

Robert Douglas Peachey — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 04:41:50 +0000

I,ve seen the so called new Yamaha V-max..It,s all black. Where,s the chrome, colour, shine, Where,s the look of power and king of the black top
Did yamaha ever think to look back at the old model and see what vmax
rider,s like and dislike…I like the old look but with more horsepower
a bigger fuel range and rear rubber. F..k the handling give it to the GP boy,s. I what grunt , straight grunt. Burn rubber at 160km grunt
As you know engine,s a getting more powerful and bigger cu/in (cc)
so give it to me baby!! 2000cc 3000cc 300hp 500hp 4cyl 6cyl 8cyl
I what to buy a new age Vmax..But not so F..king ugly!!!!

By: todd

todd — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 23:05:51 +0000

too bad. We’ve been seeing the demise of the entry level and commuter bikes in this country. Now it will be getting worse. Bikes in the US are no longer considered transportation, they are recreational vehicles. If this continues more and more public policy will be made without consideration to motorcycles. Motorcycle prices are skyrocketing, selection and variation is diminishing, fuel economy is diminishing as is the number of emerging new riders. If we look back to the ’60′s, the hay day of motorcycling, bikes being built ranged from 5hp around towners to 40hp sport bikes. Most commuter and daily ridden bikes were in the 25-30hp range. This era experienced the greatest growth ever in motorcyclists. Bikes were not intimidating, were very economical, and there was tremendous variation. Now bikes only appeal to the experienced rider with the typical “american” attitude of more/bigger-is-better. Sure there are quite a few motorcycle owners around but their bikes are always in the garage. Give me a sensible commuter bike, no give me many choices for a sensible commuter bike. My ideal bike: 50+ mpg, 25-50hp, under $5,000, tires cost $50 each and last at least 10,000 miles, the bike weighs less than 350 lbs, has excellent brakes, modern components (suspension), handles great, is mechanically simple (like a single cylinder), bullet proof motor with low cost maintenance, is sporty looking, or at least design is considered often (unlike the EX250 and EX500), etc, etc.
There are a number of bikes like this in most countries but they are not available over here. Why not?
-todd with ’90 GB500, fits the bill.

By: Robert Douglas Peachey

Robert Douglas Peachey — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 23:52:09 +0000

I owned a 1992 V-Max
“YES” it needs more Horse power or may more cylinders V6 or V8
Forget handling. Keep the old frame and style just up the
horse power to 200-300 and bigger rear rubber
I loved my Vmax but to slow now . Eatin bye GSXRs,ZXRs,CBRs
260 kph to slow . 86ps or 107kw lawn mower Horse power
“YES” rebuild the Vmax and make it king again

Thank you Kiwirambob