Does The PERFECT Size Motorcycle Exist? Our Favourite Engines + Q&A
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- Опубликовано: 28 мар 2024
- Today we discuss what we think are the perfect sized bikes for uk roads and conditions, bigger is not always better! Let us know what you think is the perfect motorbike...
We also delve into some of your questions from previous episodes. Sorry for such a long gap between each episode, we are working on making this a more constant feature soon!
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DARCY'S CAR CHANNEL: / @darcysdrive
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I think the only criteria that matters, is if the bike you ride moves your soul and makes you glad to be alive, then its the right the one for you.
Simply put & exactly right. For 90% of us bikes are nothing but toys. Their only purpose is to make us happy
C90?
Goldwing?
Race replica crotch rocket?
If it makes YOU smile it's the perfect bike.
I have the perfect sized bike! A 125 scooter, a Royal Enfield 350, a weird Janus Halcyon 450, a pair of Buell 500s, a Honda Pan European 1100 (V4) and a BMW R1250RT. 😂
Once I found the Bonneville Bobber, I felt at home. More than enough power, and not too heavy. Perfect for both urban riding and some faster roads. The 1200 engine is sweet, full of character. My main advice would be to try before you buy, find the bike that works for you. Don't be lured by the badge on the tank or what everyone else rides. What you gel with and find the perfect bike, might be very different from the next guy over. I owned and tried quite a few bike before I fell in love with the bike I own now.
Hey Darcy, it's possible in Spain some bikers were saluting you and you may have not noticed if you were looking for a nod. In Spain we make a gesture similar to the peace sign, but with the arm pointing downwards. Sometimes people let go of the handlebars with their left hand to do it, and then it's more obvious, but other times they do it without letting go of the handlebars and they just sort of stick the two fingers out, which makes it harder to notice, especially if you don't know to look for it.
The meaning for the two fingers pointing down is "keep both wheels on the ground", which basically is another way of wishing the other rider a safe ride.
Great video guys. Keep them coming!
Awesome! Thanks 👍🏼👍🏼
Great tip, mate 👍
Thats basically the US version as well. Peace sign with left hand. If you aren't shifting its pointed down. I just realized maybe its a function of driving on the right in the US and Spain?
I feel the perfect size bike is the one best suits your uses and needs. A 200hp Kawasaki H2 is useless in congested city stop and go traffic. If you’re someone who doesn’t ride off of a track, an H2 would be your best friend and offer thrills of a lifetime. If you’re a backroad cruiser who likes gentle riding and enjoying the scenery, an Enfield 500(etc) would be more than adequate. I know for myself, I use my Moto Guzzi for daily commuting, cruising the higher speed freeways in the US, backroads, etc and the 750 engine on it is the perfect amount of power for my uses.
Bugger the bike chat, the wee Jack Russel was the star of this video.
Thank you, she is a Parson Russell 🐶
@@Dad-n-Darcy….. Got to love a terrier ! We had two Border Terriers, delightful and brave little dogs.
When I started riding in the 80s, a big bike was s 900. Anything above that was considered massive! I have always liked twins, parallel or V twin. I loved my XS 650s even though they weren't particularly fast and vibrated a bit. As for 4s, I did enjoy my time with an old Z650 and never felt that I needed more.
That's why I traded my R9T for a Speedmaster. The latter is so much more relaxing to ride, but still with plenty of 'go' for safe overtakes (which my 125 Innova certainly doesn't!). And the BM's head-down feet-tucked-up riding position eggs you on to blat it. The Speedy's upright seating position and slightly forward foot position encourages relaxed riding, taking in the scenery.
BTW, it looks like you guys are in a village pub, and the Old man's in a cold draught with his coat and woolly hat on, while Darcy is happy in a T shirt and his unadorned slap-head!
I had a new W800 for about 3 years and I much prefer the Speedmaster triumph parallel twin to that engine - it sound soooo much better even though my Speedy has the standard exhaust and the W800 had an aftermarket one (the standard exhaust makes it almost silent). And the W800 is a bit lacking in power and very lacking in braking - it needs twin front discs! It looks nice and is nicely made but that's about it!
For engine sounds you can't beat aeroplanes. A Merlin of Griffon engined Spitfire opened up or crackling and popping down final throttled back, is glorious. As is the 9-cylinder geared and supercharged Venedneyev radial engine I used to fly behind. And the intake howl of an approaching Vulcan under power is primeval, like a rutting dinosaur, followed by its chest-thumping ear-shattering ground shaking roar from the 4 Olympusses as it passes.
Thanks for the vid.
Vince
Awesome pod cast, highly appreciate your efforts, Ol'Man/Darcy 🙏
Every new rider should listen to your work!
After 45 years of riding 500cc to 1400cc Iron Horses I came to the conclusion:
The most perfect bike engine is the one actually between my legs during my ride, at least IMHO 🤷
After riding 900/1000cc triples for a while I've now settled for for two twins ,900 triumph scrambler and a Guzzi V85TT. Both are less than 90hp but it's how the power is put down along side their size and weight, rev range and torque curve. They are both extremely useful around town, B roads and the Guzzi is an all day Motorway muncher where as the scrambler would soon cop out on long A roads and motorways. But the 900 is easily a sweeter place than the 1200 (having had the Speed Twin).
100% It's not about BHP it's about manageable weight, torque, and rideability. Less is often MORE!
Having had a HD883, GS800 and a GS1200 ( in that order ) while back ...... I look in the mirror now (at my 50th year on earth) and the one that I miss the most is the HD .. it was torquy, enough power and old style ..... In the daily basis, I ride a Yamaha Scooter ( Nmax160) due to the local caotic traffic ( São Paulo @BRazil) and in the weekends, it´s all reserved to my beloved T120 Black .... classic style, endeless torque and enough power for me .... If I would use just one bike for everything, my choice, for costing, gas consumption and easy on manouvering, that would be the RE Interceptor ... that bike is gorgeous and does it all well .. I was very impressed when I twice rode that ... Cheers !!
V twins for sure for the character. I think it depends on the roads you spend the most time on. In USA for example we have long highways that go forever and cruisers with big v twins are very nice on those roads. That being said ive always been fine with a motor between 650 to 850. I was perfectly happy with my v7 850, it wasnt fast, but still had enough pep to please me and the character more than made up for the lack of just downright sprinting speed. It was just nice to chug along on, I enjoyed it very much. I havent rode a bonneville triumph yet but would like to do that.
Being 5 foot 4, and a short inside leg of 27 inches, I am somewhat, limited in my choice. Due to not my feet on the ground.
My 500 Rebel is fine, and my Meteor I had the seat in at a trimmer, how sculpted the edges and reduced it by 30mm. Still not flat foot, but close.😊
Feet flap, installs more confidence.
I think moto guzzi make the best looking adventure bike
I wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts on Every Day Useability. Used to own a Street Twin, and this motorbike could do literally everything i wanted. From sunday morning rides through the Countryside to 600mls Motorway trips. Never complained or broke down. In my view, the best allround motorcycle available on the market. The 1200cc Bonnie, which i have now doesn't make me a happier man or a better rider.
Good luck with the Maico 490. These machines came restricted to 17HP in my country, to make them street-legal One of my mates had one, and obviosly he had the restrictions removed after he got a numberplate for his bike. This thing was truly crazy, a proper suicide device in my memory. (I was happy with the 33 HP on my XT 500 back then - which is a bike i miss to this day)
I have a speed 400 and as a new rider I think it’s perfect. There is not enough power to get into too much trouble but enough for everything I want to do. It is a shame most reviews of bikes seem to class anything less than a 1000cc as a small or beginners bike. If I was to upgrade in the future it would be a trident or a speed 900 as they would be enough for me 👍
Is she comfortable enough on long high speed rides? Considering getting one as a first bike, but concerned they are too buzzy at 70
Were I a motorcycle manufacturer I’d build a 350 single, a 500 single and a 750 twin. All in road and off-road (not flat out dirt bikes) configurations.
This Dad n Darcy episode was great , more like a chat in the pub with your mates, all you needed was the beer and crisps and you would be good to go, on the biker "nod" topic I have noticed the biker "nod" is in decline , GS Adventure riders seem to the prime culprits in avoiding the ' nod" and when on my Harley, I only get "nods" from fellow Harley riders, quite bizarre really.
First amazing bike was Suzuki RGV125 GP Sports 2stroke, XR650 with safari tank, Vstrom 1000 adventure, had 3 Harley 883 still have Iron 883 2017. Want new KTM 390 Adventure next year
Nice, interesting and entertaining chat. Thank you guys.
You be sure and keep warm ol’ man!
Bring an archery coach, my exposure to the next generation’s choices have lead me to realise, nothing’s changed. They all ride KTMs or Yamahas. Their dad’s all ride Enfields. Every time the boys tune up their bikes, I take them for a spin and my dear god I turn into one of them, forgetting my age, front wheel in the air, engine screaming and speed’s unimaginable from a 400 cc motorcycle. Btw they all are stupendously good at slowing down and the suspension systems are an engineering marvel. Motorcycle are at a way better place in comparison to other personal modes of transportation. Lovely episode, thank Darcy and Ol’ man ..
Torque, not BHP. Manageable weight and easy handling. Triumph 900 Scrambler works for me as a "modern" classic motorcycle. Less can be more . Nothing's perfect and everyone's opinoin is valid. My 1000cc 1979 Moto Guzzi still is my favourite, basic , simple and pure, with bags of character. Good discussion, well done guys.
Enjoyed that chat and your dog enjoys being in front of the camera!
❤🐶❤️
Personally, I believe that the 650/800 class motorcycles are a solid choice for many riders. Most bikes in the aforementioned classes provide well-balanced power to both commute with and have plenty of fun with. Of course, that's just my opinion as I ride Street Glide part-time and take out my Sv650 for more “spirited” riding. Good episode Gents, Cheers!
Glad to see the Old Man wearing British Summer clothes 😂
We sometimes con ourselves out of the perfect bike because we think we need the biggest, fastest, most cutting edge bike which is WAY out of our ability to get a fraction of it’s potential out of and so don’t actually enjoy it as much as something that gives us day after day enjoyment.
I love myTorquey BSA (Which replaces a Torquey Moto Guzzi) and I know you guys have a soft spot for the BSA, but it's a real feel good bike, just so pleasant to ride, forgiving and willing too. As far as size goes however, if we are talking about it, we ought to include physical size and currently as a smaller rider I find many bikes are too big and manufacturers only make token concession to this, often making riders of shorter stature spend money on things like lower seats, suspension and so on unlike the automotive industry where they make their cars fit almost all people.
The best sized bike/engine capacity/configuration is the one that you ride well, quickly, safely and comfortably in your use case. I love my W800. It's the "perfect" bike, for me. A thousand other people would ride the same bike and call me insane. Mind you, they're wrong!
Always nice seeing both of you together.
If you enjoy torque in a rideable bike, try a Yamaha MT-01. Will make you smile on many levels
Good watch guy's👌👍
Good discussion, there is a big difference between ‘powerful and fast’ on road, big torquey bikes feel great when you roll on, are flexible but cumbersome at slow speed and real world a smaller, lighter and less torquey bike is much faster albeit you have to Rev them out more. Personally I do appreciate big and smaller bikes, 700 is about as small as I’d go and it needs to make good power per litre and have a good power delivery, I have a XSR700 for that but then I also enjoyed my old Rocket 3R.. my sweep spot is a big oil cooled in line four, torquey, free revving and strong top end where you can basically stay in third from low down to up high, I love my CB1100RS and my low miles Bonker bike is a 1985 custom Vmax. Just subscribed to this channel, keep up the great work lads. 👊 🏴
*just to add, the torque thing is a wee bit of a misnomer, when power is torque at 5252rpm, key for me is the right gear for the right bike, some bikes can spin up quicker and more smoothly and designed to run in lower gears and at higher revs, and still be relaxed at those revs, key to ride quality is suspension relative to weight.
On the CB1100RS, what a difference different proper pipes make and opens up a characterfully off-beat firing order and my favourite sounding bike now. Would take a 270 degree crank parallel twin over 180 or 360 tbh.
Good you are also trying more revvy bikes Darcy and you’ll find joy in a wide range of bikes and there is a lot to be had outside of Harleys. Your taste will evolve with experience and may diverge from yer paw. I’m 50, riding since 94, had all bike types and love a free revving motor over 7000rpm. Broad church, lots to enjoy, just bike 🏍️ 😎 💪
Enjoyed that gentleman 👍 I know it must be difficult but it would be nice to see your podcasts more often..... Keep up the good work and thank you. 😎
Absolutely 👍
Great video and good to see you both back together again.
If you want more torque and have a euro 5 bike get it dyno d and remapped. Euro 5 emissions choke the bike especially at 25% to 75 % partial throttle openings in the bottom half of the rev range because they re fuelled very lean. That’s exactly where most people ride their bikes most of the time. Honestly the increase in torque and Bhp is unreal and only after you ve had it done do you realise how much the bike is strangled by emissions. I could give you the figures but you probably would nt believe them because I didn’t until I actually got the graphs with before and after comparisons. It s not cheap but it s honestly the best upgrade I ve done to any of my bikes.
Perfect size motorcycle depends on what usage it has. One size doesn't fit all. I'm a slow rider, I ride for views, not for adrenaline. My 805 cc mild cruiser with 50 bhp is great for me, but maybe not for anyone else.
I can understand where you are coming from with your tighter and smaller roads. Personally on larger roads 70 to 100 horsepower with 75 to 80 ft lbs of torque is my sweet spot.
Triumph 1200 twins and their triple engines are excellent. I guess my 2nd choice would be a BMW Boxer or aircooled Moto Guzzi. I'll pass on Harley's engines to date but a old Vincent would be top trumps for me.
Really enjoyed that, many thanks for sharing your thoughts. If only picking the engine size was the only criteria for picking the perfect bike. For me, seat height, weight, cost, dealer availability, reliability, build quality, fuel efficiency, looks and comfort were also to be considered before my hard earned cash changed hands. It took some time to choose, but eventually I found one.
Oh yeah!
Good talk. My 14th bike is a T100 and it has a glorious engine with plenty of torque. Overall most of the bikes I have owned have been twins. When that gets too heavy for me I will probably go for a speed 400 as I have never owned a single.
Love your dog mate😊
Loved the main chat about engine format and cubes. I spend way too much time pondering this! I am genuinely curious about the RE 350cc motors. They do appeal! But I’m not sure I can live with that performance. I was waiting and waiting for you to discuss the BMW boxer 1050 - 1250 which over the last 20+ years has out sold any other single manufacturer’s engine (at least here in UK/Europe). Can you do it all again with reference to this excellent lump which has grunt, power, character and longevity? Pleeeeease!! 😅
Love your videos nice dog I lusted after a harly v rod but soon realised after sitting on one it was way too heavy for me as I'm 5'6"" smallish build 22 speed twin is my weight limit 216kg wet when I watch your videos I often think how narrow the road is I'm from Australia generally roads here are wider
Love your dog!!!!!!
We need more Dog input
Nice seeing the old man again! Darcy has recently been pulling the load alone and doing an excellent job at it. Great guy and mature for his age in this immature age.
I enjoy the humor. Funny that "you are right" in your judgements😀.
You both loved the Guzzi V7 so much a fee months ago (850cc) and now almost forgot it entirely!
I think this electric movement will be exposed soon and ICE's will be around for a while. This is all assuming that we are not at war soon.
That’s very kind of you! I know how could I forget the V7, I’m very eager to get back on one!
Great pod cast guy's, really enjoyed this, we have the kawasaki W800 here in Australia, beautiful bike, I guarantee you'll love it. Cheers 🍻🇦🇺
Yes we wish they still made them in the UK 👍🏼👍🏼
Congratulations for your dog. He (or she…seems more like a male, but obviously I can be mistaken), was a very characterful presence in this very amusing video conversation.
I own a BMW R nine T Scrambler, 2022 model, and that’s a bike that does almost everything I need from a two wheels machine. It’s beautiful, classy and reliable enough.
I also like the Triumph bonneville’s style of bikes a lot. I think that I will have one again. If we want to change we’ve to accept some measure of loss in order to achieve and gain what we are looking for (I traded my T120, for the above indicated BMW). I don’t regret it but I know I will return to another Triumph. Maybe a Triumph scrambler 1200 X, or XE. The first one, seems more suited to what I like, once I dont plan to do hard off road rides, its maybe more than enough. By the other hand, actually I’m impressed about the drive shaft transmission solution. It’s a no brainer solution in fact and BMW has been doing those bikes so well, that the performance is almost equivalent to a chain drive transmission in terms of riding capability and smoothness. The electronic aids are really effective in transforming those concepts in user friendly functionalities. So that’s a point for consideration.
I do prefer the 1200cc engine of the Bonneville’s, because on longer rides, where I may choose faster roads or motorways, that extra six gear is very useful. But compared to the 900 cc versions cost, it’s something that’s you really have to know if you’re going to make a good use of the advantage, related to the extra power it provides. The longer suspension, it more a matter of comfort, because the roads are often full of bumps and potholes, and that’s maybe nowadays in cars and bikes the crossover vehicles are so much in fashion.
I will be looking for the videos of you both and together like you used to do and like this one, because you make a really nice team work. Thank you 👍🏻
Maybe another question for next time, apart from the moon twist and go one. Do you think AI and motorcycles are compatible? Would you ride a bike with a mind of its own?
Regarding waving, here in NZ we hold our left hand up or nod, or both
There`s talk of putting a permanent base on the moon. So far we have only seen buggies driven about up there. Do you think its about time we saw a moon bike? Maybe something like Tom Cruise rode in the film Oblivion...
Darcy, I think you are the right person to ask. I know it’s completely different configurations, but how would you compare the Moto Guzzi 850 V7 Special with these new BSA’s?
The Moto Guzzi definitely has more character and I prefer the feel of the engine, the BSA is a very different experience but also very enjoyable. I think the Guzzi is a bit better quality
@@Dad-n-Darcy I love both your Channels. Most channel reviews feels incomplete, unlike yours. There is also something about the “father and son” duo that makes your reviews different. I am also a daddy’s boy. Then I also tend to like similar bikes than you and Dad do. Just by watching your channel, I think I have narrowed the bikes I would test ride down quite a bit. 👑
Give the dog an Oscar 😂😂
She certainly is not camera shy 😂
To be fair an old rd350 feels like death!
Size cc isn’t that key as a 600 could have 40hp or 100 plus. I have an Interceptor and think I wouldn’t want less than 47hp. I do real,y enjoy the torquey delivery rarely revving it beyond 5 and it runs nicely from 2,500rpm up. My Ducati has 150hp and thunderous torque. It’s much more exciting and intense to ride. I love them both. Probably 75-100hp is ideal for the road. I have no interest in something either 200hp as it would drive me crazy never being able to actually open it up.
At 6'5" the last bike that fit me was a dyna Fatbob. All the modern bikes I have to modify for me to ride them comfortably
I've got a honda cb1300s ...lovely power and docile when required. Think Triumph Bonnevilles 1200 and 900nok but Royal Enfields look OK but even 650 far too underpowered imo. I also have a Honda vfr1200F...now that does clip.on but useless for shopping trip
its not about the size, its how you use it.
and the cost.
Does The PERFECT Size Motorcycle Exist? An answer is, yes, and it is 500 cc bike with internal combustion engine design, according to Honda engendering, after 500 cc it is just waste of bike resources.
750 cc ?
There's a number that you don't hear enough of anymore.
I think that’s my sweet spot too.
Sorry. Can't watch this one lads. After years of living with selfish neighbours with continuously barking dogs, just ONE bark, anywhere, anytime stresses me out.
Not a pleasure watching this - see you for the next one
If bike you've bought puts a big stupid grin on your face every time you go near it then its
PERFECT 👌
ps I think the perfect bike is the MotoGuzzi V7classic 850 for the do all. Of course, I will always be partial to the Sportster. I will never forgive Harley for its discontinuation.
Amazing you picked this topic to discuss. My new bike for 2024 content on my channel naughtybikertv (formerly known as RipsRamblin. Name change done upon you two's recommendation) is the Janus Halcyon 250. I am currently in Arizona with it for bikeweek here in Scottsdale and Cave Creek. I am adjusting to the small CC bike but it is very unique. Stay tuned cuz soon I will be riding it across country to the East Coast. We shall see if a small scrambler bike can do this journey.
Excellent sounds like a great trip 👍🏼