It never bothers me what factories quote for bhp and torque, a test ride is far more useful , you either like it or you dont. Also having owned 2 apparently identical 900ssies I wonder if there is some variance from engine to engine, maybe some are just better than others ? There was a noticeable difference in performance between my two despite them notionally identical. That`s why I prefer to buy second hand, then I know the bike i get is the bike I tested.
I remember reading about the earliest blades, their power outputs varied by as much as 15bhp from bike to bike apparently?
I real world terms I think BHP should be quoted on what the rider experiences off the back wheel. Or at least the manufacturer should stipulate where it comes from. Do car manufacturers quote the same way ? I'm dissapointed because the stock bike which is touted as 113bhp either off crank or at wheel in reality was circa 90bhp. I just think for the premium you pay that the customer should be played with a straighter bat. Dont know about you Bob but if I buy a case of 24 beers and I get 19 i have the right to be a little pissed off.
I think that you will find that car manufacturers do the same. More like buying a case of 24 beers and not getting bottles with them. Don't think of it as power that you can use all of, but more a power figure so that you can compare one bike or engine against another. As far as I know the specification states "Engine Power Output" rather than power that you can use. I find the Supersport has enough for what I want, less than my last bike, but there is nowhere on public roads where I can use all of that power even if I wanted to. I suppose that if you just want that power for bragging rights then there is always someone with more power and less brain to use that power whatever you have.
I was only joking as I really don't care about power figures at all, however, saying you can't use it all is not strictly true surely? While you can't wind it on constantly in every gear to the max bhp on a road, there are brief periods for any rider where the taps are fully opened. While the figures mean nothing, the feeling that power provides is one of the many reasons for what bikes we choose.
Wayne I was not wagging a finger at you. I choose a bike because that is what I want and believe me I will never use the power. I see no point in screaming the engine to max revs (where the power is) in any gear to accelerate. Our speed limits over here on the autoroute are a bit higher than the UK, but still not maximum power roads. Had I wanted more power then I would have bought a 1299 Pani, but as said I have no use for it.
I've heard a few SS's with that system fitted and it's one of the best Ducati noises I've ever heard. Enjoy.
