100 HP on the street...why?

[Veloce-Fino]

I don't know what highways you're riding on (you might be talking about the Autobahn, for all I know), but here in Colorado, where the highways are anywhere between 50 mph and 75 mph posted, the 696 scoots along with the greatest of ease. Should one decide to crack the throttle open, and watch the speedo climb, it gets up to 118 mph before it starts to struggle.

Now granted, the S2R1k can do the exact same thing with even less effort, and the massive acceleration doesn't start to slack off until you're north of 130 mph, but that's what you get with 43% more displacement.

I cruise usually at 80-85 mph. With aftermarket exhaust and no baffles, cruising in 6th around 6k is INCREDIBLY LOUD. Add in a few hours of this noise and you will understand my point. 

Cruising at 80 with a top speed of 120, I am at nearly 70% of my bikes max speed. Riding at high-rpm makes the bike much more "jumpy."  Do that for a few hours and let me know comfortable it is.  When I ride the S2r1k Cruising at 80 in 6th is comfortable and smooth, and the motor is not working hard to keep me there.

[mstevens]

My Multi 1200S has 150HP in Sport and Touring modes.

Do I need that much HP? No. Am I competent to handle it? No.

Why do I have it? I want it. The bike, I mean. I liked the features and ergonomics. I still would have bought it with less HP.

I have to say ,though, that it's fun to feel my head being forced backward through my helmet when I twist the grip.

[zarn02]

Why 100+hp?

In the immortal words of some Budweiser marketing writer: "Why ask why?"

[Veloce-Fino]

Why 100+hp?

In the immortal words of some Budweiser marketing writer: "Why ask why?"

haha.... I'll be using this often when people question my insane ideas.

[twolanefun]

Ego, period, unless you are doing track days or a very large person. I like my M900 on the street way more than the S2R1000. The fun factor is a twisty road where you are bouncing between 60-80, in most states 20 or more over is reckless. The Monster is not for the Interstate I don't care how much power it has. The ST3 is a better bike for that, it isn't fun until you get up to about 80 and even going up 3 on the rear sprocket you are not in the sweet spot in 6th gear and mine is very light, exhaust, wheels, and a few other parts swapped out. I'm not a big guy 5'9", 190 lbs and GF weighs around 119 lbs. We are quite comfortable anywhere on the ST3 at any speed and yes we had on a track 2up. I remember a trip over to Ohio on nice twisty back roads, where one rider had a totally tricked out, performance S4R, high comp pistons, port work, exhaust etc.. large rider who had lost a lot of weight but maybe down to 230 lbs, another rider 5'8" or so 150Lbs on a pretty stock 620 right behind me all day and walking away from that S4R among other bikes. The new 796 maybe be the perfect bike for street riding IMHO, no one listens, gotta have HP - no you need to spend some money on rider training/track days and riding. Just some food for thought. - Gene

[muskrat]

I don't answer why questions 

[cokey]

Same reason I daily drive a 600 hp neon... cuz I want to/can and its damn fun..

[zarn02]

Ego, period, unless you are doing track days or a very large person.

Way to implicitly indict everyone who rides anything with more power than you think they Really Need.

[fastwin]

As the saying goes: when too much is just enough. Works for 4 wheel hot rodders as well as scooter riders. What's wrong with you? You sick or something?

[LA]

Same reason I daily drive a 600 hp neon... cuz I want to/can and its damn fun..

My 17 yo daughter has a really nice 280 HP neon and it's a gas, but 600?  make the beast with two backs me!

LA

[geoffduc]

   Two word's.....WHY NOT!!!!!!!!...

 

[Raux]

Other than speed, any sort of highway cruising or long distance riding pretty much necessitates a liter bike. The gearing will be much more comfortable for these settings. My 696 on the highway SUCKS.

what? I love doing 100mph on the 696. Hell I was doing 100mph for lengthy amounts of time this past weekend on the autobahn. oh and i always wear ear protection. gearing is the 15/45 and it loves those speeds. doesn't struggle to get there and has plenty of pull when i need to get out of the way of a random porsche flying up from behind.

[Veloce-Fino]

what? I love doing 100mph on the 696. Hell I was doing 100mph for lengthy amounts of time this past weekend on the autobahn. oh and i always wear ear protection. gearing is the 15/45 and it loves those speeds. doesn't struggle to get there and has plenty of pull when i need to get out of the way of a random porsche flying up from behind.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE going 100+mph on the 696 (however, doing so may get you put in prison here) But riding for extended periods can get a bit unnerving. Something about the rpm's being so high get on my nerves after a while. I also use earplugs any time I'll be doing highway riding or long distance riding.

You have stock gearing? I would have thought you dropped a tooth in the front after all the work you had done.

Too be honest, now that I think about it, my 100+ dB exhaust may be at the source of this dilemma.

[slyfox]

Y?


zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz [moto]

[velocipede]

Awesome responses...like asking everyone in a methadone clinic "What's so great about drugs?"