Ok, we’ve ridden various sized bikes… on and off road… but which is the most grin inducing engine size you’ve had? Wizzing about on a fizzer, kicking up roost on a CRM, lumping about on an old thumper, frenetic two strokes, screamer 4 pot small capacity race reps, middle weights, full on racer… If you could only have one engine size to do it all… what would you go for and why? And I’m very happy to see pictures of the glory days…
Anything between 1000 and 1200. Torque when required, speed when you want, and cruise at low rev. You CAN have it all! Started with a Honda Cb 750f 1977 (no pic, sorry); followed by gsx 1100 f, then 2 blackbirds, and to finish it off 2 S3’s.
I don't think there's a definitive answer to that. On road, off road, long distance tourer, urban hack, back roads scratcher etc,. Smallest bike I've had is 250cc (numerous 2 smoke trail/dirt bikes) right up to 1440 for my current ZZR. My current dirt bike is a 570cc 4 stroke single and is an absolute blast off road but needs respect on wet roads with knobbly tires, that hurt, twice! I have to say the '04 R1 is most enjoyable sports bike I've owned. The ZZR is the best long distance mile cruncher I've ever ridden with bonkers power everywhere and will lend itself to some spirited "sport" riding up to a point, a great compromise which most road bikes are. My enjoyment found new heights though with the Street Scrambler I bought in 2020, don't think I've ever missed a bike as much since it was nicked. A very unremarkable machine on paper with relatively low power and spec but you don't ride a sheet of paper, right!
I can’t choose. All of the above. Size doesn’t matter, it’s what you do with it that counts. I had a mate who saw off a GSXR1100 around Welsh mountain roads. He was riding a full loaded MotoGuzzi California. With a pillion. To be fair, he was an ex 500 GP rider. I often wonder what the guy on the Suzuki must’ve thought.
Interesting and thought-provoking poll, @DCS900! I've never had a bike with an engine smaller than my 2012 Triumph Thruxton at 865cc's so I can't speak to the smaller bikes or bikes like dirt bikes (sadly). Currently I have two bikes that are 1870 cc's so quite large. My Speed Triple is "only" a 1050 but cc's are not apples to apples as the torque and horsepower are different for different engines and tunes. That 1050 has less torque but more horsepower than the 1870's. I know, that's not news to anyone on here. I personally love a big engine but if I had enough room in the garage I'd be tickled pink to have a little Honda Grom or something similar. To specifically answer your first question, the most "grin-inducing engine" I've had is my current Speedy's 1050 triple. And to answer your second question, if I could only have one engine size to do it all it would be my current H-D Milwaukee 8's because I love the torque, the feel, the sound, and the overall power of that engine. I've never felt it to be too big (although I may have some years back!). As I always say, "it does have a throttle". I'll be eager to watch the responses on this thread!
Defently big cc's but it's not that simple. The power delivery and light weight of a big v-twin for real road riding is unmatched for thrills and excitement. Was also very fond of my 765 triple, it was much more fun than the 1050 triple I had before it mainly due to its weight. Yes the 1050 was more powerful but the power was always on the top shelf where you could never quite reach it until you were doing silly speeds. The 765 was much more fun and I believe faster for real world road riding. I'll tick the 1201+ option since my current and hands down favourite power plant is a 1301cc V-twin
Horses for courses, I suppose. I ticked the 1000+ because I just love my speed triple. I love the torque it has. But then I also really like the mrs.' street triple, as it's so flickable and fun. For the touring I do I'd always opt for my speed though.
I only ride on the road, no off-road or track riding. I like the fact that my bike offers effortless speed - no matter how fast I want to accelerate, it will deliver with speed to spare. Of course, 99% of the time I won’t use it, but I know it’s there when I want or need it. 1000+cc and 150hp is usually my minimum spec.The throttle works both ways.
Difficult! Screaming kr1-s or the only bike that has ever scared me, a gixxer 1k. Lot's in between but as already been said, no replacement for cubes imho!
On réflection, and in the spirit of fuelling the original debate, I’ve gone for 601-800, because probably the most grin-inducing fun I’ve had was on my GSXR750, closely followed by the Street Triple 675 that I’ve had for 8 years. In third place would be the S1000RR I test rode this year.
The most disappointing engine I've owned was a big V2 in the form of a Ducati 1198SP. It had plenty of punch high up but you needed at least 4-5k on the tach, otherwise it just felt like it would shake itself to bits. You certainly couldn't roll the throttle on/off from low revs like you can a big 4 and ultimately more pistons means more power per cc.
I guess there are a lot of factors! It's the only v-twin I've owned, well, 2 generations of the same engine. It not as smooth as a triple or 4pot but it's well refined, and already in wheelie mode by 2.5k
Where you get your kicks is important too… I’ve had huge fun on my mates Maico 400 scrambler back in the 80’s, and around the back lanes of the Lake District, small capacity lightweights were Bob on as you felt like you were really using them… but 900cc has been perfect for me in twin, triple and 4 cylinder formats.
If I was looking at a pure off roader, 400cc would be about the max end for consideration! A 250 would probably be about the sweet spot.
I took nearly 2 decades off from riding when I finally checked the Triumph box, less a few small cc rentals in SE Asia and Dom Rep. I was really leaning toward a Street Twin thinking it would be a better fit power, size, and experience-wise. Quite frankly, the Speedy kind of made me nervous even though my previous bike was a rubbed-out 1200cc "slammed" Sportster. So I slept on it, and finally came to my senses. Basically told myself to grow a sack and stop being a little bitch. One of the best vehicle decisions I've ever made. No offense to the Street Twin. Obviously those are great bikes too. IMO the Speed Twin's just got the perfect amount of everything. All around perfect bike for nearly every application save off-roading.
