Why multis are better - Nerd-alert!

[kingoffleece]

"And what is good Phaedrus, need we someone to tell us these things?"

[SIR REAL ED]

Wadda bout less is more?

Always true, virtually, when it comes to opinions on the internet......   

Which is why Zen Buddhist IT people invented the like button.....

[Tusayan]

I prefer the simplicity and maintainability of a 90 degree V-twin, along with its smoothness relative to a four and the way the twin generally packages into a better handling bike.  The point made earlier about the power peak of the engine being closer to the cruising RPM of the engine is also a good one.  Another view is that if you take half of a modern, fairly compact 180 HP four you get the same power band etc as the larger engine but with half the weight and with 90 HP - which is plenty.   That’s why vertical twins have become so popular in recent years, along with lower cost of production than a V-twin.

[SIR REAL ED]

I prefer the simplicity and maintainability of a 90 degree V-twin, along with its smoothness relative to a four and the way the twin generally packages into a better handling bike.  The point made earlier about the power peak of the engine being closer to the cruising RPM of the engine is also a good one.  Another view is that if you take half of a modern, fairly compact 180 HP four you get the same power band etc as the larger engine but with half the weight and with 90 HP - which is plenty.   That’s why vertical twins have become so popular in recent years, along with lower cost of production than a V-twin.

Very true.  I remember when the Kawasaki Ninja 500 came out (1987?).  Cycle magazine praised the bike while noting it was essentially one half of a Ninja 1000.

About 10 years later, I had the chance to ride a Ninja 500 and was extremely impressed.  A surprisingly underrated bike IMO.

Now of course the modern twins are vastly improved.

[LowRyter]

missing here

multis  <RPMs

[MerleLowe]

I've been doing a lot of demo rides the past few years. In the past month or so I've sampled the extremes of a Himalayan and Z900.  I enjoyed both, but the Kawasaki 4 was smoother with a wide power curve.  On the Himalayan, you have maybe 3-4 thousand rpm to use and about 8 with the z900.  Which is better?  Depends what mood I'm in and road I'm on.

Triumph had the demo truck at our local dealer and I sampled the Street Triple 765 and the Speed Twin 1200.  If forced to choose, I'd go with the twin, only because of the wonderful noises it makes and the low-end tuning.  Pulls like a freight train.  That said, the triple does everything better from a practical standpoint.

The only real solution is to get one of each.

[Ncdan]

I took my ole gal out for a spin around the country side yesterday, a 1983 Honda CB1000C which was a one year production due to the save HD attempt back in the 80s.
The  smoothness of the inline 4 never ceases to amaze me. It’s definitely a different feel compared to the V twins, singles, triples or twins. Not necessarily better, just pleasantly different.

[bacongrease]

 Okay, interesting read.  Top speed and acceleration are no longer of much  important to me. So I am shallow and superficial, sound matters.  My FXR and Stone sound pleasing, so does my 71 CB 750 with a cam.   

[MerleLowe]

Took a Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ out for a demo ride at Road Atlanta yesterday.  That was impressive.  Docile with easy to modulate throttle and clutch, yet piles of power once it starts spinning.  Pulled clean from 2500 in 6th gear.  Won't mention specifics but even a part throttle, sub 10k rpm pull is more speed than I would take advantage of.   The suspension was easily the best I've ever sampled.

I should have tried out the V100 S  immediately after the GX but other plans got in the way.

[Perazzimx14]

Two things friends don't let friends do. Grill with propane or ride bikes with more than two cylinders 

[SIR REAL ED]

Two things friends don't let friends do. Grill with propane or ride bikes with more than two cylinders 

Or drink Light while either grilling or riding....

[Perazzimx14]

Or drink Light while either grilling or riding....

1,000,000% AGREED!

[s1120]

Very true.  I remember when the Kawasaki Ninja 500 came out (1987?).  Cycle magazine praised the bike while noting it was essentially one half of a Ninja 1000.

About 10 years later, I had the chance to ride a Ninja 500 and was extremely impressed.  A surprisingly underrated bike IMO.

Now of course the modern twins are vastly improved.

My wife had a 454LTD back in the day, that used the same mill detuned for cruzer work. While the bike was strange, MAN that motor was nice. It had WAYYY more usefull power then you would expect for a sub 500cc mill. Great engine

[SIR REAL ED]

1,000,000% AGREED!

Don't use it to marinate hot dogs or sausage either......   

[SIR REAL ED]

My wife had a 454LTD back in the day, that used the same mill detuned for cruzer work. While the bike was strange, MAN that motor was nice. It had WAYYY more usefull power then you would expect for a sub 500cc mill. Great engine

Yep.  I was so impressed that a couple years later I bought a Ninja 500.  IMO, due to cost and performance, an excellent choice for a beginner.

The Ninja 500 & the 454LTD are excellent example of how engine design and tune makes the the number of cylinders irrelevant to performance.

My Aprilia RXV550 V-Twin seemed like an inline four about 5,000 rpm. 

Two or three very minor design changes and better quality control, and that could have been one of the all time great motorcycle engines and powered everything from enduro bikes to light weight touring bikes.

[LowRyter]

50 years ago the key to more power was more cylinders.  40 years ago they added turbos.

But the real key to power from 30 years has been the water pump. 

[s1120]

50 years ago the key to more power was more cylinders.  40 years ago they added turbos.

But the real key to power from 30 years has been the water pump.

Thats vary true. Stable temps like you tune closer to the edge.