Rideapart's "11 Reasons Why You Don't Want a Literbike"

"Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura" (sundowne36) 01/24/2014 at 15:33 • Filed to: Two Wheels Bad, Rideapart

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Here is where I completely disagree !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Yes, you can get in trouble with a literbike but not all literbikes are go-fast, irritating motorcycles. If anything - I'd have to say I would find my stride within 1,000ccs with the right setup.

When you look at the Honda CBR series, then sure - they're bikes that are difficult to use on a day to day basis. Powerband is nowhere near 2,000 RPM, uncomfortable ergonomics and they're a common bike to be stolen. Compared to my 919, however, it's close to 1 liter (1 liter = 1,000 cc) but with cast-iron internals, meaning power is smoothly accessible in all Revs. I can sit up right and it's not irritating to take around town.

And when you look at other literbikes, you start to notice not all of them are fully-fledged superbikes. You got touring bikes that are on or above the 1,000 cc mark such as the Triumph Sprint ST 1050 - 3 cylinders but with the right ergonomics and powerband.

If anything, I'd say it's more of how the engine was tuned than putting a silly prejudice on saying "all literbikes are terrible." All bikes are different from one another. Like I said earlier, my bike - while it's not exactly one liter - is tuned for commuting around town as well as the Triumph Sprint. They were made to have their powerbands accessible right off the bat.

offroadkarter > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 01/24/2014 at 15:43

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I don't have a bike or ride myself, but that being said

I think 5 and 6 are the two biggest bullshit reasons.

First off, we don't live on a race track. Line a 600 and 1000 up on a straight highway, and a 1000 bike will shit allover a 600. Its not uncommon to see well modified street cars take down a 600 bike, but you better be packing some SERIOUS power in a car to take down a 1000 bike.

Secondly, I wouldn't say 1000 bikes alone make you a cop target. Cops target ANYONE on a crotch rocket. It doesn't matter if its a 250 or a 1000, they all have the same general look that make cops think you are about to chase down a range rover and beat up the driver.

That being said, the only 2 crotch rockets I ever rode was a slightly modded gixxer 750 and a slightly modded R1. The 750 is the only one I had a chance to wind out, in stock trim it was good for low 10 sec 1/4 miles. That thing scarred the shit out of me, doing 80mph in 2nd gear on a back road in southern maryland. It was also very heavy, whereas the R1 was pretty light in comparison.

jariten1781 > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 01/24/2014 at 15:45

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The term 'literbike' tends to refer to superbike style sports bikes, not every bike with ~1L of displacement.

Bad Kev > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 01/24/2014 at 16:47

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I know I'm greyed out in this post but whatever.

I, too, have a not-so-fast liter-bike. I was actually reading the article today and found some agreement on some of the things they were saying and then I realized, "wait, my bike is 1000 CC's..."

I have a 2005 Ducati Monster S2R 1000. (it's technically 992cc's) It's just a 2-valve motor that is also found in the Sport Classic 1000 as well, and makes about 90 HP and revs to 8500 RPM. So it's more torque-y then anything and doesn't have too much on the top-end.

So I agree with you that there needs to be a little clarification with that side. Although, my dad actually has a 919 and I've ridden it a lot and that thing pulls so hard . When I bought my S2R I thought it was pretty slow in comparison.

Gamecat235 > Bad Kev 01/24/2014 at 16:58

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Brought you out of the greys and you're now followed by Oppo. If you'll stick around, let me know and I'll add you as an author around here.

( Oppo handbook for your reference, just in case)

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Bad Kev > Gamecat235 01/24/2014 at 17:06

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Awesome thanks a lot! Yeah I'd love to be able to contribute! I've lurked Oppo for several months but haven't commented much on hear 'cause of my greyness.

Let me know if there's anything else I need to do to become an author. I'm really familiar with Kinja (and how much it sucks sometimes) so I'd love to be able to participate here! :)

Gamecat235 > Bad Kev 01/24/2014 at 17:12

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Awesome. It does appear you've been around for a bit, and have a pretty solid grasp on the system! Welcome aboard. Let me know if you have any questions or issues.

Bad Kev > Gamecat235 01/24/2014 at 17:14

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Thanks, Gamecat.. I appreciate it. :)

JCAlan > offroadkarter 01/24/2014 at 17:55

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Agree with you regarding the cops. Hell I can't tell the diff between a 250 and 1000 when one zips by.

But on speed, they have a valid point. The average rider is not an experienced racer, and lacks the skills and body to ever get full performance out of either size, and therefore the difference in power is negligible. Hell, the difference isn't huge when operated by professionals. Top speed is the only place a normal rider will experience a major difference, and NO ONE needs to be daily driving at 200 mph anyway. Other differences when stepping up to a liter is margin for error decreases, and the front wheel comes up quicker.

That said, I still want one.

offroadkarter > JCAlan 01/24/2014 at 18:11

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can't blame the bike for having a shitty rider. Speaking from a pure mechanical standpoint, the 1000 will always win in a straight line.

JCAlan > offroadkarter 01/25/2014 at 11:35

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Right. But again, even with professional riders the difference is negligible. 2011 GSXR600 0-60 2.9 seconds.....GSXR1000 does it in 2.8. Quarter mile times within a second. Both CRAZY FAST. The difference in times is nearly within the margin of error, lol.

bob and john > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 02/01/2014 at 01:46

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when they say literbike,m they are more so refering to 1000cc sport bikes.
tourers use the big capacity to have a more relaxed motor with the torque to haul you and 700+ pounds of bike and equipment around.