Speed 400...

Scrambler 400...

I think the 350 Hunter RE is prettier than the Speed 400, the Trumpet has 20bhp more tho'


I think there's more profit for the companys in a 'big BHP bling thing',xll that mark up on the extras.They can sell them as lots of people rent them on PCP deals.Potter wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 4:04 amSame, and I really like both bikes.Cousin Jack wrote: Tue Jun 27, 2023 8:19 pm Glad to see an increasing number of bikes in the 300-500 cc range. I am fed up with reading about 1000+ cc behemoths with outputs that would not shame a small power station.
Perhaps the factories have their finger on the pulse and realise that costs are too high for these silly big bhp things and they see a return to sensible motorcycling as regular transport, instead of ego massaging.
The only thing that might put me off is weight, my 1981 RD350LC makes 42bhp standard and is about 135kg with the lighter wheels I have on it, and my 1936 500cc Rudge makes 45bhp and weighs 130kg, so how is it that in 2023 Triumph are making a 400cc bike that makes <40bhp and weighs 180kg![]()
i think you might be onto something. when looking at getting another bike i automatically ignore anything with a lower bhp output - but in reality id have lots of fun with something that had 45/50 odd hp. Also, agree, light weight is keyPotter wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 4:04 amSame, and I really like both bikes.Cousin Jack wrote: Tue Jun 27, 2023 8:19 pm Glad to see an increasing number of bikes in the 300-500 cc range. I am fed up with reading about 1000+ cc behemoths with outputs that would not shame a small power station.
Perhaps the factories have their finger on the pulse and realise that costs are too high for these silly big bhp things and they see a return to sensible motorcycling as regular transport, instead of ego massaging.
The only thing that might put me off is weight, my 1981 RD350LC makes 42bhp standard and is about 135kg with the lighter wheels I have on it, and my 1936 500cc Rudge makes 45bhp and weighs 130kg, so how is it that in 2023 Triumph are making a 400cc bike that makes <40bhp and weighs 180kg![]()
You might have something there.KungFooBob wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 8:27 am Less than 40 and more than 85bhp are the sweet spots, imho
On the basis of the 690 Duke being 70bhp and 160kg wet I'd disagree cos it's a bloody excellent bike.KungFooBob wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 8:27 am 50bhp is rubbish.
It's not enough power to give you that thrill of twisting the throttle and having to hold on.
It's too much power for a small light bike where you can have fun maintaining speed and generally pissing about.
Less than 40 and more than 85bhp are the sweet spots, imho
When I took my 690 Duke in for its MoT a couple of months ago the tester returned from his test ride positively frothing with enthusiasm about the bike - 'what a bloody engine!' was his first comment. If any bike has proved to me that you don't need 150+ bhp for serious fun, that bike has. On everyday roads and at licence-preserving speeds it's pretty much unbeatable.Supermofo wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 9:23 amOn the basis of the 690 Duke being 70bhp and 160kg wet I'd disagree cos it's a bloody excellent bike.KungFooBob wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 8:27 am 50bhp is rubbish.
It's not enough power to give you that thrill of twisting the throttle and having to hold on.
It's too much power for a small light bike where you can have fun maintaining speed and generally pissing about.
Less than 40 and more than 85bhp are the sweet spots, imho
That means all 250 two stroke and 450 four stroke motor cross bikes are rubbish, 350 Power Valves are rubbish, GPz550s are rubbish etc.KungFooBob wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 8:27 am 50bhp is rubbish.
It's not enough power to give you that thrill of twisting the throttle and having to hold on.
It's too much power for a small light bike where you can have fun maintaining speed and generally pissing about.
Less than 40 and more than 85bhp are the sweet spots, imho
You'll have more exceptions than bikes meeting your statement, power to weight ratio is what matters, and a lard bucket of a Guzzi with 50bhp is nothing like a TZ250 or a CRF450, both of which are about 50bhp.KungFooBob wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:52 am It's a sweeping statement and there are exceptions.
I had a 50bhp Guzzi. It was very average.
Not enough power to be exciting, but too much power to make it a challenge to to keep up with traffic.
Where as my 27bhp single you can rag the tits off all-day long and you have to rag it if you ever want to see more than 50mph.