Is 50 BHP as much horsepower as you'll ever need?

Texas Pete · Yesterday, 11:12 AM

Bit of waffle at the start before the meat starts

ProDigit · Yesterday, 09:39 PM

40. 400cc is about as much as you'll need for the streets.

Mudflap · Today, 05:08 AM

I'd rather ride a lighter weight 50 hp street bike than a heavier 100 HP bike. My CX and GL 500s were 50 HP and just about right. My old Goldwing was around 100 HP and although it cruised great on the highway it was like riding a 2 wheel car.

TominMO · Today, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProDigit

40. 400cc is about as much as you'll need for the streets.

Agreed, 40 hp, even two up, will do fine for normal riding, even on highways.

But really the answer is individual to each person, and what they want to do with the bike.

Thumper · Today, 08:48 AM

I agree that this is an individual choice, and experience influences the rider's perspective. I have owned more than 50 motorcycles over the years

Based on that experience, I think a bike really has to be in the 450-550 pound range to be roadworthy. And you need more power to pull this weight and assert yourself in traffic, especially around 18 wheelers. My first road bike was a 1978 GS550. These early GS bikes had marginally adequate suspension, but that 6 speed roller bearing DOHC engine was wonderful.

It made about 50hp, weighed 430 pounds. I was small enough for it to work on the highway (18 years old, maybe 120lbs), but I wised up and bought the 1979 GS850G the following year for $3160. It was a little heavier at 550 pounds, shaft driven and made about 75hp. Much more roadworthy. It was a "sport tourer" which was really a new category.

1979GS850G.jpg

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mo...s850g%2079.htm

Looking back it was the best road bike I ever owned. Lighter than a full touring bike, more sporty, but heavy enough to buck the wind and had a smooth road feel. I had front air forks with an equalizer tube so could stiffen up the front end.

The venerable GS1000E was sitting next to it in the showroom floor for about $50 more, but I chose the 850. I was still under 130 pounds

Later in the 80s, maybe 1985 I bought a lightly used 1983 GS1100E in candy apple red. This bike was a close second to the 850. Here is a picture of it on an outing to the glide port in Edgefield, NM.

jpg300GS1100RGB.jpg

If you can only have one bike and want to be on the road and on the trails, the compromise of a 40-45hp adventure tour bike is where you'll end up. I'd rather have a true road bike, or an enduro. No compromising!

Ranger Bob · Today, 11:50 AM

Oh man, the GS850G. Best and most reliable bike I've ever owned. Bought it for $1000 with 6000 miles on it in the mid eighties. Put a total of, ready for this, 175,000 miles on it before I gave it away. Nope, the comma is in the right place, 175,000 miles. It was leaking oil badly and the original clutch was slipping but it kept on running. Did a round trip ride from Florida to California when it had over 100,000 miles on it. Never missed a lick but the 750 mile day in the desert started the oil leaks from the top end. My only transportation for over 6 years. Love to find another low mileage one for a good price.

Yesterday, 11:12 AM	#1
Texas Pete Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 597	Is 50 BHP as much horsepower as you'll ever need? Bit of waffle at the start before the meat starts __________________ 2022 1/2 Templar X 250 - 6 gear model - 13 Front / 40 Rear Sprockets - #42 / #120 Jets - 1mm thick nitrile O-ring needle shim (removed) - Kenda K761 Dual Sport Tires - Sedona Standard Thickness Inner Tubes - Stock OEM battery, carburetor, spark plug still going strong - https://youtu.be/dhAYEKH-jFQ Texas Pete's Templar X 250 Torque Specifications Sheet Texas Pete's Engine Displacement Calculator Texas Pete's Tire and Rim Compatibility
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Yesterday, 09:39 PM	#2
ProDigit Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 224	40. 400cc is about as much as you'll need for the streets. __________________
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Today, 08:48 AM	#5
Thumper Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,499	I agree that this is an individual choice, and experience influences the rider's perspective. I have owned more than 50 motorcycles over the years Based on that experience, I think a bike really has to be in the 450-550 pound range to be roadworthy. And you need more power to pull this weight and assert yourself in traffic, especially around 18 wheelers. My first road bike was a 1978 GS550. These early GS bikes had marginally adequate suspension, but that 6 speed roller bearing DOHC engine was wonderful. It made about 50hp, weighed 430 pounds. I was small enough for it to work on the highway (18 years old, maybe 120lbs), but I wised up and bought the 1979 GS850G the following year for $3160. It was a little heavier at 550 pounds, shaft driven and made about 75hp. Much more roadworthy. It was a "sport tourer" which was really a new category. 1979GS850G.jpg https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mo...s850g%2079.htm Looking back it was the best road bike I ever owned. Lighter than a full touring bike, more sporty, but heavy enough to buck the wind and had a smooth road feel. I had front air forks with an equalizer tube so could stiffen up the front end. The venerable GS1000E was sitting next to it in the showroom floor for about $50 more, but I chose the 850. I was still under 130 pounds Later in the 80s, maybe 1985 I bought a lightly used 1983 GS1100E in candy apple red. This bike was a close second to the 850. Here is a picture of it on an outing to the glide port in Edgefield, NM. jpg300GS1100RGB.jpg If you can only have one bike and want to be on the road and on the trails, the compromise of a 40-45hp adventure tour bike is where you'll end up. I'd rather have a true road bike, or an enduro. No compromising! __________________ -2022 5 speed Templar X Orange, OEM 51T rear sprocket, 14T front sprocket -NOS 2020 KTM 250SX (2-stroke motocross), less than 10 hours on it Last edited by Thumper; Today at 10:11 AM.
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Today, 05:08 AM	#3
Mudflap Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,903	I'd rather ride a lighter weight 50 hp street bike than a heavier 100 HP bike. My CX and GL 500s were 50 HP and just about right. My old Goldwing was around 100 HP and although it cruised great on the highway it was like riding a 2 wheel car.
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Today, 11:50 AM	#6
Ranger Bob Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Florida/N.Carolina Posts: 3	Oh man, the GS850G. Best and most reliable bike I've ever owned. Bought it for $1000 with 6000 miles on it in the mid eighties. Put a total of, ready for this, 175,000 miles on it before I gave it away. Nope, the comma is in the right place, 175,000 miles. It was leaking oil badly and the original clutch was slipping but it kept on running. Did a round trip ride from Florida to California when it had over 100,000 miles on it. Never missed a lick but the 750 mile day in the desert started the oil leaks from the top end. My only transportation for over 6 years. Love to find another low mileage one for a good price.
	2