48 BHP says it all. Depends what you want tho I guess.
trogedon,
Mar 27, 7:41am
What's the open road speed limit again? Good motorcycling is about sensation and handling rather than fastest speed(boring after the first time). These bikes have all that's needed in a good bike.
nzjay,
Mar 27, 8:24am
Absolutely trogedon, I'm sure its a very well handling, nice bike to ride and power is not top of the list of good things to have.
richardmayes,
Mar 27, 11:24am
I thought the WHOLE IDEA of these retro-style, cafe racer bikes is that they are for people who DON'T feel a need to wring tits off something at 12,000rpm and thrash the bejeezus out of it all day every day; because life's not a race, and getting there two minutes quicker than imaginary foes in your head doesn't mean you're THE WINNER. ?
And those who would rather own something that goes FAST ENOUGH FOR THEM, while also looking pretty cool when they get off and sit down to look at it for a while?
(Disclaimer: Since the Royal Hotel in Featherston closed, we seem to be seeing a few less 12,000rpm lunatics winning races in their own minds, and cutting corners/tailgating people all over the Rimutaka hill. There are still a few of them every weekend that haven't grown up OR exited the gene pool yet though.)
richardmayes,
Mar 27, 11:25am
Re the V-twin. aren't there handling problems with all shaft-drive bikes?
I remember a (younger) high school teacher of mine had a big ex-police BMW, and he said something about you have to be very careful pouring the power on through left-hand turns (or was it right-hand turns?) because the torque makes it want to stand up.
tats63,
Mar 27, 4:50pm
Rode a v7 Classic last year, handling was fine with very little torque reaction from shaft drive. Power is very low but quite torquey low down and bike is relatively light so comparable feel to Triumph Bonnie - same target market I guess. The V7 is physically very small (bit cramped for anyone over about 5'10") and imo a bit on the expensive side, but definitely a thing of beauty!
trogedon,
Mar 27, 4:57pm
I've had two shaft drive bikes and disliked that part of them. Chains (and I guess) belt drives are much more linear in that regard (read predictable).
gunhand,
Mar 27, 5:17pm
Yes, yes and yes. It's a shame some can only measure things by HP. More power (insert caveman grunting sounds) is not the be all and end all.
nzdoug,
Mar 27, 5:50pm
I'd love to take one for a blat. Next time I'm in Red Baron I will check it out. Everybodies #7.
tamarillo,
Mar 27, 6:12pm
For you maybe, for many not. Even within speed limit power pulls you out of corners, gets you past slow vehicles safety, and just feels bloody great. Don't need huge amounts you're right, and indeed some smaller new bikes make enough to still have a squirt, but these just don't do it. Will for some of course, personal choice. These do look bloody good though. They're a small bike so not good for a tall bloke.
jmma,
Mar 27, 6:48pm
Almost looks as good as my GB400tt (o:
trogedon,
Mar 27, 7:40pm
I've had powerful sports bikes and could ride them hard when I chose to. One of these bikes has more than enough power (one up at least) to easily pass other vehicles at (or above to a reasonable degree) road legal speeds. I rode my 500 single with factory 35 hp with the motorbike club I belonged to. Generally I kept up ok - especially in the twisties. Its more about skill and how you use the power you have (like when I was teaching. ).
purple666,
Apr 10, 4:07am
I take it that it is a LAMs bike, everyone is building them now, a huge market out there for them.
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