tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post8959008659557627904..comments2024-02-23T11:23:45.971-05:00Comments on Lost Motorcyclist: Horsepower Alone Does Not Equal SpeedLost Motorcyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08873504561959138792noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-19163110711696887762010-03-20T11:02:24.231-04:002010-03-20T11:02:24.231-04:00You write, 'it seems Mary Ann can out corner m...You write, '<i>it seems Mary Ann can out corner me on the traffic circles</i>.'<br /><br />I expect it's largely an issue of <a href="http://lostmotorcycles.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-to-drive-motorcycle-in-straight.html" rel="nofollow">rake and trail</a>.<br /><br />Although nowhere near as radical as those classic Italian 'real' scooters, the Burgman's rake of 26° and trail of 4" is bound to be much nimbler than your cruiser's 32° of rake and 6½" of trail. <br /><br />Cruisers are set up for stability at speed, so extending the trail beyond the 'average' 3-4 inches exacts a cost in terms of slower-speed maneuverability.<br /><br />The Burgman's rake of 26° is much closer to the average sport bike's 24° than to your lush 32° so Mary Ann will easily be able to take you in the 'tight work' ;-)<br /><br />All of which, of course, has nothing to do with this topic of power and speed. Riders love to brag about their horsepower ratings, of course. The more horses, the sexier. <br /><br />But, at least IMHO, bikes with ratings in <a href="http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/kawasaki/2010-kawasaki-ninja-zx-14-ar64334.html" rel="nofollow">excess of 200 horsepower</a> are bought primarily for 'bragging rights.'<br /><br />Arguably the greatest 'classic' high performance bike was the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brough_Superior_SS100" rel="nofollow">Brough Superior SS100</a> which, many are surprised to discover initially produced a modest <b>45</b> BHP but was easily capable of at least 160 KPH.Madeyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593933575568389288noreply@blogger.com