So how do I persuade the wife that 74bhp is enough for her

[Couchy]

I'm genuinely surprised it only produces 74bhp, I'd have guessed at over 100bhp based on what 1000cc bikes make, AFAIK anyway.

1000cc parallel twin Honda is 95hp so this is in the ball park for a 690 parallel twin, tbh it’s higher tuned than the Honda

[weeksy]

I'm genuinely surprised it only produces 74bhp, I'd have guessed at over 100bhp based on what 1000cc bikes make, AFAIK anyway.

1000cc parallel twin Honda is 95hp so this is in the ball park for a 690 parallel twin, tbh it’s higher tuned than the Honda

Yeah I guess it makes sense
Er6 - 649cc is 70
Sv650 - 649cc is 75
Mt07 - 689cc is 74
Ktm 790 - 790cc is 99
Ktm 890 - 890cc is 115

So it's in the right ball park.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I spent far too long thinking about what to buy, went round in circles with it, and then bought a bike I'd never considered because I like the colour.

I seriously thought about the R7, but it's not really what I'm after, as I like 4 cylinders and 90+ bhp, a lot of my bike buying process was working out what I didn't want.

[cheb]

It would have helped if I'd read more about it and not assumed it was an IL4. The trouble is that most modern bikes don't catch my interest.

I'll put the dunce cap on and sit in the corner for a bit.

[Mussels]

It's nice, I reckon she would lap quicker and exit corners quicker than on the 600 as the CP2 engine has great grunt for this. The only time she'd miss the power is at silverstone. I'd be surprised if she'd lose too much on the straights tbh. Map and exhaust and it would be nearly 80hp at the wheel and with getting on the power earlier the straight bit wouldn't be much different. What would be is how it feels once wound up on the straight so she may feel she's going slower. Also the suspension won't be as good as the ZX6 but that's easily sorted

That sounds more expensive than buying a zx6.

[weeksy]

"why the fuck are you sending me new bikes"

I'm guessing she wasn't that bothered then lol

[Skub]

The trouble is that most modern bikes don't catch my interest.

Be careful. Look what happened the Cheese.

[weeksy]

[wull]

Just read the review with the comparison on the website last night. Useable power I suppose, I think on tighter sections and shorter tracks but more open tracks it would start to fall behind.

[weeksy]

Just read the review with the comparison on the website last night. Useable power I suppose, I think on tighter sections and shorter tracks but more open tracks it would start to fall behind.

Absolutely agree. I think these bikes are the sort of bikes and style you have to be into BEFORE you buy it, like the KTM 690/790, like the Supermotos, like the Aprilia RS660, if you're not already into it, then you're likely to find it lacking. I can't see any way i could sell this as an idea to @Welsh Muffin but in reality i think it'd be a bloody fantastic bike for her for 90% of the time. It'd be cheap enough, in warranty and some cool tech.. But i think she'd get off it and think "bleurrrghhh where's the power"

All of that said, assuming we book Silverstone for the day, she'll be testing one

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Depends on which group you're in Novice you can easily be the fastest person on track with 74 bhp

[weeksy]

Depends on which group you're in Novice you can easily be the fastest person on track with 74 bhp

Only if you're in the wrong group. If you can beat 200bhp novices on a 74bhp bike then you should be in inters

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Depends on which group you're in Novice you can easily be the fastest person on track with 74 bhp

Only if you're in the wrong group. If you can beat 200bhp novices on a 74bhp bike then you should be in inters

Trouble is then I feel I'm getting in the way of the quick people, which is really unpleasant, and, yes, I need to man up and be a big boy and go in inters, and it was a 55 - 60bhp 30 year old bike.

[weeksy]

I agree, it's a dilemma on low powered bikes and there's no easy answer. After years of 690s I can relate

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I agree, it's a dilemma on low powered bikes and there's no easy answer. After years of 690s I can relate

Your old 690 (after you owned it) when I followed it at Snetterton had similar engine performance to my FZR400.

[Count Steer]

I agree, it's a dilemma on low powered bikes and there's no easy answer. After years of 690s I can relate

I know there are limits on time available etc but wouldn't it make sense to split novices groups at, say, 100bhp?

That way the handy rider with 75-80bhp isn't stuck with the sort of 200bhp rider that 3d-bits all the corners and beans it on all the straights etc.

<devils advocate>Put a blanket 100bhp limit on the novices groups. If you're a novice, what exactly are you going to do with a 200bhp bike anyway? </da>

[weeksy]

I agree, it's a dilemma on low powered bikes and there's no easy answer. After years of 690s I can relate

I know there are limits on time available etc but wouldn't it make sense to split novices groups at, say, 100bhp?

That way the handy rider with 75-80bhp isn't stuck with the sort of 200bhp rider that 3d-bits all the corners and beans it on all the straights etc.

<devils advocate>Put a blanket 100bhp limit on the novices groups. If you're a novice, what exactly are you going to do with a 200bhp bike anyway? </da>

It's a nice idea but you'd only get 3-4 bikes most days

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I agree, it's a dilemma on low powered bikes and there's no easy answer. After years of 690s I can relate

I know there are limits on time available etc but wouldn't it make sense to split novices groups at, say, 100bhp?

That way the handy rider with 75-80bhp isn't stuck with the sort of 200bhp rider that 3d-bits all the corners and beans it on all the straights etc.

<devils advocate>Put a blanket 100bhp limit on the novices groups. If you're a novice, what exactly are you going to do with a 200bhp bike anyway? </da>

TBH it isn't a big problem for me, I can always find space to ride away from other people, I'll usually go out at the front of the group, and at Snetterton by the end of the session I'm lapping the people on 200 bhp bikes, at Cadwell I'm catching them up halfway through the session, so I pull into the pits, have a little break and go out again.

[Count Steer]

I agree, it's a dilemma on low powered bikes and there's no easy answer. After years of 690s I can relate

I know there are limits on time available etc but wouldn't it make sense to split novices groups at, say, 100bhp?

That way the handy rider with 75-80bhp isn't stuck with the sort of 200bhp rider that 3d-bits all the corners and beans it on all the straights etc.

<devils advocate>Put a blanket 100bhp limit on the novices groups. If you're a novice, what exactly are you going to do with a 200bhp bike anyway? </da>

TBH it isn't a big problem for me, I can always find space to ride away from other people, I'll usually go out at the front of the group, and at Snetterton by the end of the session I'm lapping the people on 200 bhp bikes, at Cadwell I'm catching them up halfway through the session, so I pull into the pits, have a little break and go out again.

You're not actually a novice though.

It would be interesting to see, if some track day outfit did restricted bhp sessions, if more people would turn out. Personally, I'd be more tempted to go if there were sessions with better matched bike and rider capabilities.

(I think I'd learn more trying to hustle a lower powered bike around rather than playing 'twist and hang on' too).

[weeksy]

Problem is the risk factor for organiser, they know they'll fill all groups all day in standard 3 group setup