Litre bike stats

I was in my local supermarket yesterday looking for some
cards. As I passed the magazine rack, I decided to pick
up the latest Motorcyclist copy.

I saw from the front cover that a litre sportbike comparis-
on was contained within. So, out of curiosity, I paged to
the article.

Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki were represent-
ed with their respective one litre bike offerings.

I was amazed at the quarter-mile times the things were
turning in. Of course, I know that the bikes are just not
off the shelf, and are piloted by someone that weighs
about the same as an NBA basketball but, even with
that consideration, the things are runnin' circa 9.6 - 9.8
times.

Also, although their torque numbers are not that impress-
ive, they are reporting 160-175 hp. Of course, when HP
is a product of torque * rpm, I guess you could get 500
hp outta' them, if you can spin 'em fast enough.

Kinda' makes me want to get a crotch-rocket. Now, only
if they come with several "get out of jail" free coupons. <g>

Gary

 

Of course, I know that the bikes are just not
off the shelf, and are piloted by someone that weighs
about the same as an NBA basketball but, even with
that consideration, the things are runnin' circa 9.6 - 9.8
times. <<


Well here's one that IS "off the shelf" that will do 9.6 - 9.8 in the 1/4
mile:

http://www.zx14.net/documents/ZX-14 Review.pdf

I usually buy Hondas and buy them used but this one has me considering
buying a new Kawasaki. Newly introduced bikes usually have "issues" that
have to be worked out in the first year, so I'll wait. Everything I've read
about this bike is positive. I especially like the bikes purported
sport-touring capabilities. Haven't bought a new bike since 1964 (
http://www.hal-pc.org/~mmcham/305hawk.html ). Maybe it's time since I ain't
gettin' any younger.
__________________________
Mick McHam Houston, Tx
'01 ST1100 ABS STOC# 1134
http://www.hal-pc.org/~mmcham

 

Yes, I'd read(other sources) review on the ZX14.

The details I reviewed are here: http://www.zx14ninja.com/

Yours look more robust. Thanks for the link....


Gary

 

It's supposedly in the works Albert. It's to be called the GTR 1400.
The pictures I've seen so far (drawings) look like a mix between the
FJR & the ST1300. Pretty good looking actually. Hopefully it will be
out next year with ABS as an option.

http://tinyurl.com/hfprz

 

a needed replacement for the venerable but long in the tooth Concours.

 

http://tinyurl.com/hfprz
a needed replacement for the venerable but long in the tooth Concours.
<<

Long in the tooth indeed. The Connie has to hold some kind of record
for being one of the longest manufactured bikes around. I believe it
came out in 1984. If that's true, it makes it 22 years old!! Amazing.

 

@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com:

No, there is nothing that a dealer could do that will make the bikes
perform significantly better. There is no secret "go faster" button.
Write the magazine and ask them how they get the bikes they test. That
will answer your questions.

 

Well, I wasn't suggesting a "go faster" switch from a
dealer, because it was my opinion that the bike came
directly from the manufacturer. Yeah, I could write
one/all the mags and ask for disclosure of their bike
source but, I'd be very surprised to receive an answer.

I'm really just supposing that these test bikes are very
carefully spec'd to every detail, whereas a dealer des-
tination model might not receive the same attention. It's
just my opinion.

Thanks,

Gary

 

You kids and your modern bikes. How about a Honda Cub, in productions

Yeah, already knew about that one. That's why I put in the "for being ONE of
" qualifier.

Did anybody here ever have a true Moped? My cousin had an "Allstate" moped.
I can still remember the very distinct sound that thing made. He later
"upgraded" and got an Allstate 125. Now that was a nice bike, reliable as a
hammer. I finally beat him though when I got an Allstate 250
(http://www.hal-pc.org/~mmcham/allstate.html ). One of my buddies had the
Allstate 175. Sears loved us!
__________________________
Mick McHam Houston, Tx
'01 ST1100 ABS STOC# 1134
http://www.hal-pc.org/~mmcham

 

I remember all of those models, although I never owned
any. As a kid, I think the Allstate Compact was my fav-
orite.

These should keep you busy for a while.

Gary

http://images.google.com/images?q=+"allstate+moped"&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
http://images.google.com/images?q=+"allstate+125"&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
http://images.google.com/images?q=+"allstate+175"&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
http://images.google.com/images?q=+"allstate+250"&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
http://images.google.com/images?q=+"allstate+cruisaire"&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
http://images.google.com/images?q=+"allstate+compact"&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

 

Thanks Gary. That was quite a trip down memory lane!

__________________________
Mick McHam Houston, Tx
'01 ST1100 ABS STOC# 1134
http://www.hal-pc.org/~mmcham

 

Gary Walker:I remember all of those models, although I never owned
any. As a kid, I think the Allstate Compact was my fav- orite.
These should keep you busy for a while.
Gary
http://images.google.com/images?q=+"allstate+moped"&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
http://images.google.com/images?q=+"allstate+125"&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
http://images.google.com/images?q=+"allstate+175"&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
http://images.google.com/images?q=+"allstate+250"&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
http://images.google.com/images?q=+"allstate+cruisaire"&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
http://images.google.com/images?q=+"allstate+compact"&hl=en&btnG=Search+Image


Don't forget the Cushmans. I really liked that ole'un, the one with the
big skirt like deal around the back. And the Cushman Eagle, now that
bike would haul ass. It must have been about a 300cc or more, with the
foot-clutch, small diameter wheels.

 

Despite that I am apparently old enough, and know some
people of commensurate age, that talk of Cushman all the
time, the scooter must have not been too popular in my adolescent circle(s).
I never owner one, never rode one, and actually never even saw more than
about a dozen in my entire life. When I was entering the motor/bike/cycle
interest in the early 60's, the fav four(Honda, Yamaha,
Suzuki, and Kawasaki)(maybe not Kawasaki) were
soaking the USA market with new bikes.

Previously, about the only choices were Harley, all the
UK bikes, a few European models(Puch(aka Allstate), Ducati, Vespa(aka
Allstate), etc), and the scooters like(Cushman, Mustang, etc.).

But, the Honda's and Yamaha's were the buzz. The big
displacement bikes(relatively speaking), like Harley, and
the British bikes, were hit by the Japanese freight train
when these young manufacturer's entered the US market.

I had a few friends with Harley's, Triumph's/BSA's, even
a BMW here and there, with quite a few of the Allstate
branded junk. But, by far, the most popular bikes of that
time, in my circle(s), were the new Honda's, Yamaha's,
and Suzuki's. I don't recall any Kawasaki's from that time.

Yeah, the early Japanese bikes were mostly junk, with
all(as I recall) but Honda being two-stroke. But, for a
bunch of little kids that could've torn-up a steel ball, they
seemed amazingly resilient. The Harley's/British bikes(
although we all wanted one) were broken most of time
with various failures(engines, electrics, brakes, etc.)

And, like current day kids on skateboards, we could all
do various tricks with the little bikes. I've mentioned this
before, but I still remember a friend of mine with his two-
stroke Suzuki 50cc who used to routinely start the engine
in reverse, and ride it in circles, backwards. Now there is
a useful display of man and machine. <g>

And, if one had the misfortune to have totally destroyed
one of the little Japanese bikes, you could just go and buy
another new one for $300-$600. Not exactly pocket
change for the day, but a lot less than simply repairing
some of the other bikes.

But, the Japanese manufacturer's were looked upon with
great disdain at that time. And, in some circles, that same
attitude prevails today. Perhaps disdain, but seasoned
with a great deal of respect.

 

Don't forget the Cushmans.<<

We'll how about this one BJ:

http://www.hal-pc.org/~mmcham/cushman.html

This is the machine that started it all for me. I paid $5 for it! Read the
story.

__________________________
Mick McHam Houston, Tx
'01 ST1100 ABS STOC# 1134
http://www.hal-pc.org/~mmcham

 

one of the little Japanese bikes, you could just go and buy
another new one for $300-$600. <<

Very close! Scroll down the page and check out the list price on this 64
Honda Superhawk. It'll make ya sick!:

http://www.hal-pc.org/~mmcham/305hawk.html

__________________________
Mick McHam Houston, Tx
'01 ST1100 ABS STOC# 1134
http://www.hal-pc.org/~mmcham

 

Without even a blink I can quickly quote the 305 Hawk
price at $735, with the Scrambler at $750. This would
have been in Dallas, circa '64. Of course my ever lasting
want for one of those burned those figures into my mind
until the day I die.

Obviously, my $300-$600 comment was not meant to
include these "Superbikes". <g> But, I'm sure you knew
that. Lemme' look at the link....

WoW! $665, assuming that price related to your Bellaire
locale, I guess things are cheaper out of the city.

I think my first serious bout with depression came about
this time when, as the owner if a shiny new S90, I accid-
entially learned that most common Briggs & Stratton
lawnmower engines were/are 175cc's. That took a long
time to get over. <g>

I always liked the ST11, and the follow on ST13. Never
rode one, but came real close to a purchase of the ST11
in 2000.


Thanks for the memories....

Gary

 

(Mick McHam)

said:
Don't forget the Cushmans.<<



''Well, how about this one BJ.''

http://www.hal-pc.org/~mmcham/cushman.html
This is the machine that started it all for me. I paid $5 for it! Read
the story.
__________________________
Mick McHam         Houston, Tx
'01 ST1100 ABS   STOC# 1134
----------------------------------------



''Oh yow, that is a cushman scooter awright.
~The one made earlier, about 53, had a bigger backend, like an enclosed
skirt. (and) They were all ''red''.
I never owned one, then. But,I had a 125 Little Harley. My first and
last Harley.
chuckle) bjay~