Capacity classes. Sports bikes.

[Beemer-5]

We seem over the last few years to have settled on just 600cc and 1000cc fours and 1000cc or thereabouts twins.
The GSXR750 has long since been ploughing a lone farrow in the three-quarter litre farrow, nobody else interested in 750cc of inline sports four-pot.

Supersports bikes are of course better/lighter than ever now, the best Japanese missiles 170bhp/170 kgs or thereabouts.
The GSXR750 very little less on weight.

I'd love to see the 400cc sports bike class re-established.
An 80 bhp/140kgs could have smaller brakes, smaller tyres, etc. and be physically smaller and could be usefully cheaper, too.

I also love the idea of a really lightweight single cylinder sports bike. 60 bhp and 125 kgs would be nice.

What engine size/class of bike would you like to see on the market?

[rsv gone!]

I'm sure the 400s you describe could be great fun on the track but, no doubt, they'd be tuned for ultimate headline power figures, at the expense of torque.

Current 600s have little enough torque so I dread to think what a 400 would be like. Would make a lousy road bike IMO*



* But I've been spoiled by torque/power

[texasjohn]

I'd agree on the 400-4s and also I would like to see the 250 - 400 2 strokes back again. I've just been on ebay searching for TZRs as it happens.

The number of 'I've just passed my test and cant decide between the R6 / RR / etc' posts on here really worries me, but I guess with a responsible rider they only go as fast as you twist.

Most 600s are very docile until the powerband kicks in, though.

The other thing I would like to see more of is 'sports' (as opposed to 'supersports') bikes, such as a new version of the ZZR. Although browsing 'mark 2' R6's also this morning they look pretty comfy compared to my previous bike (07 CBR 600 RR)

[Beemer-5]

The 400s would have less torque, but it'd be a different beast to a 750 or 1000.
I really enjoyed my tuned RVF Honda, but it's 58 bhp would have been so much nicer as 80 bhp!
Plus, a modern short-stroke, 399cc/4, could have a fun-loving 18,000 rpm redline!

[trumpet600]

texasjohn said:

I'd agree on the 400-4s and also I would like to see the 250 - 400 2 strokes back again. I've just been on ebay searching for TZRs as it happens.

I have ridden large bikes on the road, but have to say that I'm having much more fun on smaller bikes. I made the decision to start racing this year in the only series which I could justify money wise, the Yamaha Past Masters. I have enjoyed it so much that I have now started to fill my garage with TZR's (currently 3). I also ride one on the roads, which I share with Mitzy.

No present day superbike can match the grin factor when the powerband cuts in.


Please don't buy a TZR - I want them all!

[texasjohn]

You've gone and bloody bought em all already pal! None on sale at present in PH, AT, MCN or the bay!

I'm after a 2MA (D reg to H reg, IIRC) one.

I owned a TDR earlier in the year but had an opportunity to sell it and make a couple of hundred quid.

[Brite spark]

400 4/s are still raced, the IOM TT comes to mind for one event. They are also more than capable of breaking the speed limit on public roads and are still close to the handling of newer sports bikes, There are times when I think that perhaps the 600 might be a little too quick for the public roads.

The vfr and rvf were perhaps a little to good for their own good, being scaled down rc's they had a price tag near to the 600 sports bikes of the times back in the 80's and 90's, so many decided just to go for a 600. The residuals for a late 90's 400 are still very good and comparable with much newer 600's

[texasjohn]

Brite spark said:

There are times when I think that perhaps the 600 might be a little too quick for the public roads.

The vfr and rvf were perhaps a little to good for their own good, being scaled down rc's they had a price tag near to the 600 sports bikes of the times back in the 80's and 90's, so many decided just to go for a 600. The residuals for a late 90's 400 are still very good and comparable with much newer 600's

Agree on the first point!

Indeed I checked out some RVFs for sale (online) and thought well for 3-3.5k I'd sooner just buy an 02-03 plate R6.

As for Aprilia RS's and RGV's for 2.5k - 3k thats just silly too (IMHO).

[trumpet600]

texasjohn said:

Brite spark said:

Indeed I checked out some RVFs for sale (online) and thought well for 3-3.5k I'd sooner just buy an 02-03 plate R6.

My OH has just paid a third of what you are looking at for her vfr nc30.

Less than 12000 miles, it has a scuffed fairing and a small crack on the seat unit. The alternater is faulty, but otherwise a tidy original bike. The engine sounds really sweet.

Me thinks she has got a bargain.

[Brite spark]

trumpet600 said:

texasjohn said:

Indeed I checked out some RVFs for sale (online) and thought well for 3-3.5k I'd sooner just buy an 02-03 plate R6.

My OH has just paid a third of what you are looking at for her vfr nc30.

Less than 12000 miles, it has a scuffed fairing and a small crack on the seat unit. The alternater is faulty, but otherwise a tidy original bike. The engine sounds really sweet.

Me thinks she has got a bargain.

the prices we were talking about were for late 90's models,
depending upon year nc 30's are around a grand upwards for decent ones

do you mean the rectifier is faulty (common fault) and not alternator?

just make sure she doesn't let you ride it, you won't want to give it back

Edited by Brite spark on Monday 25th August 13:20

[texasjohn]

Yep I have seen NC30s for 1k and up.

I guess I will have to try one before discounting them totally.

My experience of small import sportbikes is limited to the FZR250R (2 strokes aside). It sounded great but you risked being burnt off by hot hatches!

[Beemer-5]

My RVF 400 had 58 bhp on the dyno and handled beautifully. It sounded good too.
A modern 399cc in-line 4 with 80 bhp at 16,000 rpm and an 18,000 rpm limiter would be FUN!

[YamR1V64motion]

i had an RVF 400 as my first proper bike and thought it was brilliant, could learn how to ride with enough power to be very fun but not so much to scare you or get you in trouble, i would like to see the return of 250cc 2 strokes myself.

[RizzoTheRat]

Trouble is the riders are all getting heavier so theres not as much of an advantage in a lighweight bike these days