Small capacity bikes - love 'em or loathe 'em?
Discussion
Hello all,
I'm writing a piece for a magazine about small bikes. New or used. I wand to garner your opinions about how you feel if you're restricted to a smaller capacity/power machine after passing your test, or now you're experienced whether you have rose-tinted spectacles when it comes to remembering a machine you could thrash to within an inch of its' life.
If you do track days, perhaps you feel that having a litre bike is daft and a 400 is all you need?
When I look back I remember a top ride on one of the first Bandit 600s - the needle was hardly out of the red and I had a smile a mile wide. And when I did four races on an SV650 Mini-Twin I doubt I've ridden as hard in my life. These feelings stay with me - as does doing 75mph on my KMX125... but I digress...
So, any opinions, please! Do we hate the lack of 400cc sportsbikes? Is the Ninja 250 a good thing?
Let the debate begin!
Bertie
I'm writing a piece for a magazine about small bikes. New or used. I wand to garner your opinions about how you feel if you're restricted to a smaller capacity/power machine after passing your test, or now you're experienced whether you have rose-tinted spectacles when it comes to remembering a machine you could thrash to within an inch of its' life.
If you do track days, perhaps you feel that having a litre bike is daft and a 400 is all you need?
When I look back I remember a top ride on one of the first Bandit 600s - the needle was hardly out of the red and I had a smile a mile wide. And when I did four races on an SV650 Mini-Twin I doubt I've ridden as hard in my life. These feelings stay with me - as does doing 75mph on my KMX125... but I digress...
So, any opinions, please! Do we hate the lack of 400cc sportsbikes? Is the Ninja 250 a good thing?
Let the debate begin!
Bertie
Through "financial restrictions" (being a peasant for many years) I've done a lot of miles of smaller bikes 
My all time favourite small bike is the Honda CD200 Benly. It will run on the lowest grade fuel you can buy delivering 60+mpg. It will sit at 60-70mph all day and has a seat like a sofa. It will always start and always get you there.
They're the big-bike version of a C90
Once you get your head around the diabolical brakes and minimal ground clearance, it becomes a game of momentum. Maintain momentum at all costs, stop for nothing (because you can't) and plan sharp corners very carefully (I have lifted the rear wheel many times, cornering on the exhaust).
Part of the fun of smaller bikes is giant killing. What you lack in power and presence yuou have to make up for with sheer bravery and cheek
I've riden all manner of bikes over many years but never seem to rekindle the joy of nailing a "superbike" or two on a learner legal commuter
They can be quite scary when you take a step back to them after riding larger machinery, but it's an eye-opener that everyone should have a go at. It'll certainly sharpen up anyone's riding because you become much more invisible on smaller machines. I make up for this by riding them like a complete cock
My all time favourite small bike is the Honda CD200 Benly. It will run on the lowest grade fuel you can buy delivering 60+mpg. It will sit at 60-70mph all day and has a seat like a sofa. It will always start and always get you there.
They're the big-bike version of a C90
Once you get your head around the diabolical brakes and minimal ground clearance, it becomes a game of momentum. Maintain momentum at all costs, stop for nothing (because you can't) and plan sharp corners very carefully (I have lifted the rear wheel many times, cornering on the exhaust).
Part of the fun of smaller bikes is giant killing. What you lack in power and presence yuou have to make up for with sheer bravery and cheek
I've riden all manner of bikes over many years but never seem to rekindle the joy of nailing a "superbike" or two on a learner legal commuter
They can be quite scary when you take a step back to them after riding larger machinery, but it's an eye-opener that everyone should have a go at. It'll certainly sharpen up anyone's riding because you become much more invisible on smaller machines. I make up for this by riding them like a complete cock
VFR400R. 
Kneedown round every corner, electrical fires in winter, brick hard seat, light as a feather. Absolutely stunning...
Hyosung GT125R (in the origional yellow). The PERFECT 4 stroke 125... HUGE and comfy, beautiful to boot. Always got a huge double take from CBR riders as I blasted past them at 90 smashing against the rev limiter, L plate getting shredded in the huge back tyre. Looks like a 999, handles like a SV650 (mainly because it has an SV frame!) and has the grunt of a daschund puppy...
Kneedown round every corner, electrical fires in winter, brick hard seat, light as a feather. Absolutely stunning...
Hyosung GT125R (in the origional yellow). The PERFECT 4 stroke 125... HUGE and comfy, beautiful to boot. Always got a huge double take from CBR riders as I blasted past them at 90 smashing against the rev limiter, L plate getting shredded in the huge back tyre. Looks like a 999, handles like a SV650 (mainly because it has an SV frame!) and has the grunt of a daschund puppy...
TBH, I don't hate any bike, be it a 50cc or a 1000. My pet hates are people that can't ride them... NOW HEAR ME OUT!!!!!!!!!
I'm talking about on the daily commute. The scooters, even some dispatch riders make it a much more difficult ride when you're constantly looking out for them. I don't mind slower traffic, or even inexperienced riders, but general bad and discouteous riding usually comes from this group of 50cc guys. Thats to say I've been stuck behind them for miles because they refuse to review their mirrors, or I've been put into situations I'd rather not be by their actions...generally forseen, but still needless.
Come on then.....let the flaming begin...I'm actually in the mood!
I'm talking about on the daily commute. The scooters, even some dispatch riders make it a much more difficult ride when you're constantly looking out for them. I don't mind slower traffic, or even inexperienced riders, but general bad and discouteous riding usually comes from this group of 50cc guys. Thats to say I've been stuck behind them for miles because they refuse to review their mirrors, or I've been put into situations I'd rather not be by their actions...generally forseen, but still needless.
Come on then.....let the flaming begin...I'm actually in the mood!
Chilli said:
Come on then.....let the flaming begin...I'm actually in the mood!
lol. I actually don't usually have too much grief from the 'peds as they're easy to persuade out of the way. It's the superbikes that really p1$$ me off. They think they're fast but can't do gaps and are scared of cars grrrr 
If there was nobody in your mirrors before and there is now, MOVE! You're in the way!
m3psm said:
Chilli said:
Come on then.....let the flaming begin...I'm actually in the mood!
lol. I actually don't usually have too much grief from the 'peds as they're easy to persuade out of the way. It's the superbikes that really p1$$ me off. They think they're fast but can't do gaps and are scared of cars grrrr If there was nobody in your mirrors before and there is now, MOVE! You're in the way!
Chilli said:
Hmm, you see I don't really persuade them. Thing is if I sit there revving the bike, I'm likely to get all confused, let the clutch out and fire myself on top of them!! Or even a bit of weaving to increase my visibility will end up with me pin-balling off a few motors!
Clutch in. Throttle twist. Slowly release clutch. Repeat.Tricky, huh?
JackHolroyde said:
Chilli said:
Hmm, you see I don't really persuade them. Thing is if I sit there revving the bike, I'm likely to get all confused, let the clutch out and fire myself on top of them!! Or even a bit of weaving to increase my visibility will end up with me pin-balling off a few motors!
Clutch in. Throttle twist. Slowly release clutch. Repeat.Tricky, huh?
mywifeshusband said:
The best bike I ever took to the TT was a TDR 250. Evertyhing went past me on the mountain but on the really twisty I sought revenge.
The is great pleasure in wringing 100% from a smaller bike than going quicker on a bigger machine.
Best time I had at the TT this year was a lap of the Island on my mates RGV 250, i'd love a stroker, NS400 or a RD/RG500 in original condition.The is great pleasure in wringing 100% from a smaller bike than going quicker on a bigger machine.
Bring a 500 2 stroke to the road again!
I had a GPZ500S.
500cc parallel twin kicking out 60bhp, maybe slightly more with a full race zorst on it. Full fairing conversion, clip on bars, smaller indicators, single seat cowl, it was neat!
Max speed = 120mph.
Average speed I did on it = 110+
Eventually i snapped the crank doin 90+ up a steep hill, and it still got me all the way to work and 2/3 the way home. I loved it.
I still ride big bikes the same as I rode smaller ones, torque? What's that.
Knock it down a cog n revs, that's the way I roll. Gnome sayin.
500cc parallel twin kicking out 60bhp, maybe slightly more with a full race zorst on it. Full fairing conversion, clip on bars, smaller indicators, single seat cowl, it was neat!
Max speed = 120mph.
Average speed I did on it = 110+
Eventually i snapped the crank doin 90+ up a steep hill, and it still got me all the way to work and 2/3 the way home. I loved it.
I still ride big bikes the same as I rode smaller ones, torque? What's that.
Knock it down a cog n revs, that's the way I roll. Gnome sayin.
Chilli said:
JackHolroyde said:
Chilli said:
Hmm, you see I don't really persuade them. Thing is if I sit there revving the bike, I'm likely to get all confused, let the clutch out and fire myself on top of them!! Or even a bit of weaving to increase my visibility will end up with me pin-balling off a few motors!
Clutch in. Throttle twist. Slowly release clutch. Repeat.Tricky, huh?
And then the hassle of doing your lippy as well.mywifeshusband said:
The is great pleasure in wringing 100% from a smaller bike than going quicker on a bigger machine.
I'm hoping that this is the case as I've just bought a 748. I must admit that the last 600 I had did get on my tits after a while but I think I wasn't wringing its neck but riding it on the torque and it didn't have any. For every day use though I like the flexibility of a bit more power.996 sps said:
mywifeshusband said:
The best bike I ever took to the TT was a TDR 250. Evertyhing went past me on the mountain but on the really twisty I sought revenge.
The is great pleasure in wringing 100% from a smaller bike than going quicker on a bigger machine.
Best time I had at the TT this year was a lap of the Island on my mates RGV 250, i'd love a stroker, NS400 or a RD/RG500 in original condition.The is great pleasure in wringing 100% from a smaller bike than going quicker on a bigger machine.
Bring a 500 2 stroke to the road again!
Edited by y2blade on Tuesday 27th November 16:31
My first bike at 16 was a Honda CD90Z Sports in 1969....
Loved it, did 16,000 miles in a year, toured all round Scotland, Cornwall etc, only problem was the engine exploded at 60mph two up
trying to keep up with an SX200 Lambretta between Chester and Manchester..
Stripped it down and re-built it myself though...
Happy days......
Loved it, did 16,000 miles in a year, toured all round Scotland, Cornwall etc, only problem was the engine exploded at 60mph two up
trying to keep up with an SX200 Lambretta between Chester and Manchester..Stripped it down and re-built it myself though...
Happy days......
Some of the most memorable rides i've ever had were on lower powered machines. More power is not directly related to more fun, in my opinion it actually has the opposite effect. But a lot of us guilty of assuming that biggest is best, and the willy waving that goes with it.
But at the other end of the scale i don't think i would contemplate riding a 50cc.
If i had to pick a minimum horse power figure out of the air to be entertaining on the road, i would guess it would be about 50HP ish.
All IMO of course.
But at the other end of the scale i don't think i would contemplate riding a 50cc.
If i had to pick a minimum horse power figure out of the air to be entertaining on the road, i would guess it would be about 50HP ish.
All IMO of course.
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