Difference between revisions of "How Much Power Do You Need"

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How much power you need in a motorcycle is dependent on what you will be using the motorcycle for, obviously.  If you're going to be racing down at the local dragstrip, you'll need as much horsepower as you can possibly afford.
How much power you need in a motorcycle is dependent on what you will be using the motorcycle for, obviously.  If you're going to be racing down at the local dragstrip, you'll need as much horsepower as you can possibly afford.


But for most riders, all that is needed is enough power to safely ride on public roads.  And that really isn't that much power.   
But most folks are only going to be riding on public roads.  That's what we'll talk about.
 
==The Minimum==
 
For most riders, and especially beginning riders, all that is ''needed'' is enough power to safely ride on public roads.  And that really isn't that much power.   


A motorcyclist needs to be able to go at least as fast as the cars around him or her, or perhaps a little bit faster.  He or she needs enough power to get out of trouble, and to stay out of the way of trouble.
A motorcyclist needs to be able to go at least as fast as the cars around him or her, or perhaps a little bit faster.  He or she needs enough power to get out of trouble, and to stay out of the way of trouble.
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Let's call the power-to-weight ratio ''P2W'' and define it as horsepower per 100 lbs.  (This gives us numbers that are relatively easy to compare.)
Let's call the power-to-weight ratio ''P2W'' and define it as horsepower per 100 lbs.  (This gives us numbers that are relatively easy to compare.)


The P2Ws for some sutomobiles are<ref>[http://www.edmunds.com/ Edmunds.com]</ref>:
'''P2W: cars vs. motorcycles'''<ref>Note: A variety of makes were referenced.  This was not intented to imply that a given make is, in general, faster or slower than another.  Rather, it was intended to hopefully correlate to the personal experiences of a wider range of readers.</ref>
* 2007 Nissan Versa (S): '''4.49'''
 
* 2007 Toyota Camry (CE): '''4.84'''
:The P2Ws for some sutomobiles are<ref>Data from [http://www.edmunds.com/ Edmunds.com]</ref>:
* 2007 Cheverolet Corvette (Z06): '''16.12'''
:* 2007 Nissan Versa (S): '''4.49'''
:* 2007 Toyota Camry (CE): '''4.84'''
:* 2007 Cheverolet Corvette (Z06): '''16.12'''


And the P2Ws for some motorcycles:  
:And the P2Ws for some motorcycles<ref>200lbs was added to the published (dry) weights of the motorcycles, to account fluids and for the rider.  This wasn't done for the cars, since curb weights are published and the driver's weight is not as significant.</ref>:  
* [[Kawasaki EX500D|Kawasaki Ninja 500]]: '''8.54'''
:* [[Kawasaki EX500D|Kawasaki Ninja 500]]: '''8.54'''
* [[Yamaha XV535|Yamaha Virago 535]]: '''7.04'''
:* [[Yamaha XV535|Yamaha Virago 535]]: '''7.04'''
* [[Suzuki_GSX-R750#1996_GSX-R750T|Suzuki GSX-R750 (1996)]]: '''19.5'''
:* [[Suzuki_GSX-R750#1996_GSX-R750T|Suzuki GSX-R750 (1996)]]: '''19.5'''
<small>(Note, 200lbs was added to the published (dry) weights of the motorcycles, to account fluids and for the rider.  This wasn't done for the cars, since curb weights are published and the driver's weight is not as significant.)</small>


As you can see, even a "small" motorcycle can out-accelerate all but the fastest of cars.  A motorcycle designed for speed can simply leave them all in the dust.
As you can see, even a "small" motorcycle can out-accelerate all but the fastest of cars.  A motorcycle designed for speed can simply leave them all in the dust.
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To ride safely on public roads, almost any street-legal motorcycle has more than enough power.
To ride safely on public roads, almost any street-legal motorcycle has more than enough power.


== References ==
==Advantages of More Power==
 
 
==Dangers of More Power==
 
 
== References and Notes ==
<references />
<references />


[[Category:Advice]]
[[Category:Advice]]
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