Quote:
Originally posted by trickphoto
Exactly. I'm likely in the minority, but if given the choice right now between a new R1, GSXR 1K, Busa, ZRex, etc, and a new RC51 I'm going for the twin. I think they're more fun to ride, HP isn't that important to me. Is it overweight? Yes. Is it slower than the I4 literbikes? Totally. Is it rapidly becoming outdated? Yup. Am I ever going to ride it to it's full potential? Nope.
I laugh everytime I see sportbike magazine shootouts that place far too much value on HP and top speed numbers... Who cares if one hits 165mph and another hits 170? I'm never going that fast, trackdays included. For me it's all about the seat of the pants dyno. I'd much rather go slower while feeling like the bike is going faster.
This isn't by any means a slam for literbikes. If I had the means I would DEFINITELY have a new R1 in the garage.
:drool:
That said, though... HP numbers sell bikes. I can't see the manufacturers slowing down untill restrictions are in place. It sucks.
This is exactly why I like the way the Busa makes it's power. Granted it's not in the same class as a Ducait or a RC51 in the corners but as far as power delivery it's great. It makes so much power early and gobs of torque that it makes it a really fun bike to ride. Too many people get wrapped up in the peak HP numbers and don't realize there is much more to it than one point in the RPM range. A 2005 GSXR will have the same peak RWHP as a Busa and yes it weighs almost 100lbs less doesn't come close in the low end and mid range and even worse int he torque department. I know it's 1298CC's but even the way it makes torque would put a V-twin to shame. If I ever go for another bike other than a Busa/14R it's going to have to be a twin.