KymcoForum.com

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: grantourismo on November 28, 2010, 12:59:44 PM

Title: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: grantourismo on November 28, 2010, 12:59:44 PM
so what is your preference on this one?

small bike like a cbr 150 nsr 150 or big bike like Suzuki TL1000

I never own a big bike before but I think small bike are cool and easy to keep as well as maintain

what is your preference ? ;D
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: axy on November 28, 2010, 01:48:49 PM
Scoots for scoot duties.
Bikes for bike duties.

I do not like "middle ground" (for example, 500-600 cc scoots or 500 cc bikes).
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: Rianna on November 28, 2010, 03:28:10 PM
I would have to say small for me because I'm not muscular enough to safely handle a big bike...but if I was...

I would try them ALL! :D
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: blue on November 28, 2010, 03:31:54 PM
for maintaining reasons I well stick with a 50 cc im not much of a penny safer but 50 cc is esay to maintain.
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: Hoolander2 on November 29, 2010, 03:25:53 AM
I'll take a medium to medium/high displacement.

But not the biggest and bulkiest machine.

Always remember folks, it's your machine's power to weight ratio . . .  Power divided by gross Weight . . .   It's your fun factor!   Well. . . if you like taking off, that is.  You want a high number.  Most manufacturers don't publish correct figures if they publish them at all so research a little bit.

That's why I think I'd like a T-Max or Gilera 500.  But for the money >:(

 
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: Hoolander2 on November 29, 2010, 05:15:30 AM
Yep, Rianna, "safely handle" are the key words there.  I'm sure you could handle a much bigger bike or scoot once you get experience . . . however, there are times when the rider does have to muscle the thing around.  Such as slow turns on uneven ground or pavement.  Stopping on uneven ground or sand, leaves, etc.  Stopping on a side slope. Backing up or moving it around with engine off. 

I know my left leg is barely strong enough to steady myself and the Xciting as it is.  Though the worst that could happen is I dump it at a stop or backing up somewhere.  Still, that CAN cause injury!  I know I'm taking a chance. 

I expect one day, as I get EVEN OLDER, I'll downsize to a smaller scooter.   
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: Rianna on November 29, 2010, 05:28:11 AM
Yes, that's my concern with a bigger bike. I could get into a jam that I wouldn't be able to get out of as easily as someone else might and get seriously injured.

Well I'm glad you can still ride, though, Hoolander. And you have a nice Xciting. I hope you can ride it for a long time to come. :)
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: grantourismo on November 29, 2010, 06:44:25 AM
Scoots for scoot duties.
Bikes for bike duties.

I do not like "middle ground" (for example, 500-600 cc scoots or 500 cc bikes).

please explain why you dont like middle ground ???
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: TPococke on November 29, 2010, 10:20:31 AM
I started with an  Aprilia Scarabeo 200 which is actually about a 160cc I believe. I got the Xciting 500 so I could keep up with my wife and Yamaha FJR 1300. I still mostly ride the Aprilia but I prefer the Xcitings 500cc.
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: axy on November 29, 2010, 10:32:58 AM
please explain why you dont like middle ground ???

A few reasons.

1. Scoots (ALL SCOOTS) have poor suspension that is usually not fully adjustable (3 way front and rear).
That is just a mid-impact problem with 125-300 cc scoots, but with 400+ cc scoots that can reach 160-180 km/h this can be a real problem and, in my own opinion, could be quite dangerous.

2. I do not like 500-600 cc bikes because they are simply too slow, especially for riding two up. Furthermore, these bikes have very narrow seats and they are not comfortable for long rides. They usually develop their power highly and need to be revved up.

3. Big scoots are usually very expensive, and I would rather buy a bike. Furthermore, small bikes are usually too quite expensive, and I would rather invest 20 % more money and buy something I would be satisified with.

4. 500-600 cc bikes very often have poor brakes (just one disc in the front and sometimes even drum in the rear).

5. The price of big scoots and the fact they consume as much fuel as a small car and often more than a big motorcycle renders them useless (at least to me).

6. Big scoots usually have small tires and they are less manoeuvrable thank big bikes; big scoots are very heavy, typically 500 cc scoot weighs as much as 1200-1300 cc big bore bike and 15-20 % more than similar sports bike or sports touring.

Generally, for the price of new 600 cc scoot from Yamaha or Honda you can get 750-1200 cc big bore bike.

These are just some of the reasons I can think of right now.
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: Yager E on December 04, 2010, 12:55:58 AM
IMO, which bike to get is like using the right tool for the job. I have two big touring bikes (Electra Glide and Gold Wing) for two up touring and Patriot Guard missions. A '97 BMW 1100 for the mountains and twisties outside my front door, and the Yager GT for riding locally and being carried places on the RV.

I've had large touring bikes for a long time, but they aren't for the new rider. I would recommend getting one that is comfortable (especially if riding two up a lot), easy to handle, and has enough power to do what you need it to do. The right tool for the job!
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: lankeeyankee on December 04, 2010, 03:35:28 PM
It all depends I own a 99 Yamaha VMAX1200 bored out with nitrous which weighs in around 600lbs and makes 170HP / 220HP with nitrous and my scooter which makes around 12HP with the small 155CC engine and weighs around 220lbs.  Motorcycle LB to HP= 2.7 lb to hp and the scooter 18.3 lb to hp so the motorcycle has almost 10X more the power.
There are days I enjoy riding the scooter and there are days I enjoy riding the VMAX for the power and speed rush.
Some days cruising at 60MPH is fun and there are days I like to go 160MPH

(http://i53.tinypic.com/2vm7eb7.jpg)

(http://i53.tinypic.com/21ln991.jpg)
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: axy on December 04, 2010, 08:02:49 PM
It all depends I own a 99 Yamaha VMAX1200 bored out with nitrous which weighs in around 600lbs and makes 170HP / 220HP with nitrous

I like this bike. Completely unusable on the twisty road, but great looker.
I'd put it in my living room instead of furniture. :) :) :)
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: lankeeyankee on December 05, 2010, 03:55:49 AM
I like this bike. Completely unusable on the twisty road, but great looker.
I'd put it in my living room instead of furniture. :) :) :)


LOL! Yes you are correct Axy!
It is a very dangerous ride due to its performance with lack of braking and handling on the bias ply tires.
It handles like a dump truck with flat tires. Between the frame flex causing hi speed wobbles and the lack of stopping power it can hurt a person that doesn't know its limits.
The arm socket pulling torque along with capabilities of spinning the tire on pavement at 55MPH is a rush! I will admit its a death sentence anything over 135MPH with white knuckles holding on! Over the 8 years of owning the bike it has been through 4 engines. Its been down the dragstrip many of times though.
Here is a video after I installed an automatic throttle and clutch control.
0-130 mph in 9 seconds. crappy video i know its from a cell phone taped to my helmet and i know it doesnt look like 130mph due to the frame per seconds making the road pass by slow but look at the speedometer needle 3/4 pegged on a 155 speedo
test july 09 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M7lcU3f-iI#)
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: ts1 on December 05, 2010, 09:00:34 AM
You don't wear gloves!? :o
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: axy on December 05, 2010, 12:35:09 PM

LOL! Yes you are correct Axy!
It is a very dangerous ride due to its performance with lack of braking and handling on the bias ply tires.

I think I last saw bias ply tires on a bike when I was a child. :))

Ts1: I do not think that gloves would be of much help if he fell off that monster. :)
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: grantourismo on December 05, 2010, 03:18:51 PM

LOL! Yes you are correct Axy!
It is a very dangerous ride due to its performance with lack of braking and handling on the bias ply tires.
It handles like a dump truck with flat tires. Between the frame flex causing hi speed wobbles and the lack of stopping power it can hurt a person that doesn't know its limits.
test july 09 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M7lcU3f-iI#)
kamikaze bike ? ;D
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: kiki on December 06, 2010, 02:09:37 AM
My meaning it is.....  depending on what you need or what you want. I explain:

If you need something to go quickly from home to the work, to make some business along the day, if you have problems to park, if you have to go to the center of the city, you need a scooter.

If you want to make big rides, hundred of kilometers or miles, you need a big bike.

For now, my driving license only alow me to take motorcycles up to 125 cc  or 15 cv. This means what if I want to buy a bigger one motorcycle, as an Harley (that's my wonder), before I have to spend a lot of time and money trying to get a new licence.

I work at 12 km from home. I have to make many small business frecuently, at the center of the city.... I needed a scooter.

So, here in Madrid, the laws allow the bikers (independing of scoot, bike, etc.), to park over the sidewalks everywhere.
There are only a few conditions:

The sidewalk has to be at least 3 meters wide. You have to park parallel to the road. If the sidewalk has 6 meters or more, you have to park "in battery".
Other condition it is not to park close the bus stops, the pedestrian crosswalks, etc.

Responding this item, I don't need more engine power. I prefer big scoot, small engine.
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: lankeeyankee on December 06, 2010, 02:47:00 AM
I think I last saw bias ply tires on a bike when I was a child. :))

Ts1: I do not think that gloves would be of much help if he fell off that monster. :)

The rear wheel factory is a 15in. All motorcycle tires in the 15in are bias ply. :-( In the pic I actually modified the back wheel to fit a M&H car slick that measured 8 inches wide. Street riding I run a 170/80/15.
I think the burgman scooter runs a 15in tire, I will have to see what the speed rating and the width is. The 170 width has a hard time gripping on hard throttle accelerations.

No, I wasnt wearing gloves in that video, It was a test run after I installed a timer controlled linear actuator for the throttle in link with an auto clutch release using a solenoid, with a flow control.
The throttle, and clutch are all automated through a dual stage timer and relays, thats what the box is on the handlebars is that reads "Trust No One" I wanted to have the most sensitivity on my hands with the micro switch and adjustments. 
Title: Re: [what do you prefer] small motor bike or big bike
Post by: oswaldters on December 06, 2010, 03:18:28 AM
If you need something to go quickly from home to the work, to make some business along the day, if you have problems to park, if you have to go to the center of the city, you need a scooter.

These are my thoughts exactly. 

I went with the scooter because I need something small and maneuverable for commuting relatively short distances.

Free parking and the ability to cut through the traffic is a very important benefit in the city.