An Honest Question
I read a comment on one of my YouTube videos asking, “How do you cope with 24 horsepower?”
A good question, especially since the Himalayan has a reputation for being underpowered and slow. And that question also points out a possible initial bias when it comes to power and speed, and what is required to be adequate. It seems that too often an arbitrary value is introduced that doesn’t take into account the rider, the riding goals, or the motorcycle. Add pride and ego to the mix and you can come face-to-face with some pretty strange ideas of what’s necessary to go for a ride. And a parade of ever bigger and bigger machines that may have more to do with profit margins that anything remotely necessary for riding.
As I’ve always believed, it’s up to the individual to decide what they need in terms of a scooter or motorcycle. I only hope men and women take the time to look in the mirror and make an honest assessment before making a choice.
Anyway, I made a video in response to the question. Perhaps you’ll have some additional insight or experience that will help others make their own decision about what to ride — scooter or motorcycle.
I have my own ideas on power and speed…
Whenever I am out riding my Vespa it is NEVER about speed but enjoying the ride.
I can say the same Karl. The Vespa opens many doors for me. But speed isn’t on the other side of any of them.
“What power is determined to be adequate.” I think of my first auto – a 1962 VW Bug with 40hp (when new but mine was 8 years old) that could not go faster than 45 mph going north on Rt 81 above Tower City. I still loved driving that thing! Still thinking about the Scram 411 rather than the Himma as it seems to suit me better but am keeping an eye on Himma discussions to get a better gauge on long-term durability and cost of operation.
I had a 1970 VW Bug when I went to college. That car took me everywhere and never once did I wish for more power. Just more time and more adventures.
The SCRAM sounds like a great motorcycle if you’re only occasionally riding off the pavement. I still have my eyes on a Classic 350 as a road bike but I know I don’t need it. I just want one.
Well put. I liked your comment about “ego,” and I love the chugga chugga sound of your bike.
The Himalayan definitely has a unique engine sound.
Ego leads to all sorts of strange things.
When I got into street riding in 1973 the Kawasaki Z-1 was king with 90 horsepower at the rear wheel. Now some bikes are pushing over 200 horsepower through their rear tire. I have a 1983 Kawasaki that might have a mere 70 rear wheel horsepower. I cope with it but not in the way Steve’s inquirer meant.
I wonder if there is a limit to how large and powerful a motorcycle will be in our American market? We’re obsessed with “progress” and with motorcycles it seems more horsepower and more electronic gadgetry defines progress.
I rode a 20 horsepower, 75 mile per hour, touring motor scooter for many years. It always worked just fine for me. It totally suited my riding style and needs, and I enjoyed every mile! I’ve always said ride whatever you want, just do it safely and always employ ATGATT.
I suppose the power question always comes down to riding style and needs. Like you, my style doesn’t require a lot of power.
ATGATT is my motto as well. Though I sometimes skimp on armored pants and ride in jeans…
Hey Steve, great video! You get right to the point without waffling on about things, like some other folks on youtube do. And you generally make Pennsylvania look like a great place to ride. I had a Himalayan for a year and liked it alot. Sure, on the Autobahn it was not in its element, but it was even possible to ride there when necessary. You hit the nail on the head when you say there is often a lot of who involved when buying a bike. And I get the idea that having a lot of power on reserve can be a reassuring thing from time to time, but most of the time 24 no will be enough for most of us. And then there are the environmental aspects, i.e. using less fuel should be at the top of everyone’s list. That’s why I just bought a Meteor 350, which has all of 20 hp.
Having driven a lot on the Autobahn the idea of the Himalayan joining the crowd is a little thrilling. I would likely find myself riding behind one of the slow-moving trucks. But I know if I had to, I could ride the Himalayan on any freeway.
I’m with you and think 24 horsepower is plenty. I’ve ridden a lot of much bigger motorcycles but I can say for me that there is no correlation between more power and more enjoyment or utility.
Congratulations on the Meteor 350. I’ve looked at them but sort of have my heart set on a Classic 350 as a road bike. Pennsylvania has a lot of wonderful places to explore with a motorcycle like that.
Horsepower Horsepower, I was king of the road at 12 on my 4 and a half hsp. Bonanza mini bike at about 25 mph. Perception is reality still all about the ride even now at 68 yrs.young.. Couldn’t give me one of those heavy hogs to ride ..Thought once i had the need for speed so ran my buddys bike down the road at 160 mph enough to nearly crap my pants …Got that out of my system never looked back about speed or horsepower again. I ride today for the pure pleasure of gripping the bars regardless of power or raw speed..I suspect most readers of your posts are not to far off that mark.. Dr.Don
Yes, perception really is reality. Something I’ve come to appreciate more as I’ve gotten older.
I too ride for pure pleasure. Though I was just outside thinking about riding today. I just installed a new front brake caliper and a new battery. But my blood must have thinned because 32F feels too cold.
Maybe tomorrow.
It’s interesting how goalposts are arbitrarily moved: one of my favorite YouTube bike dudes, Yorkshireman Stuart Fillingham, has frequently made videos on the subject, having had a few proverbial crotch-rockets in the distant past (and also having been a cop, adding an interesting layer of perspective). For the last few decades, we’ve had access to bikes pushing at or near 200bhp, offering power-to-weight ratios that most people can’t even use on the track, let along the open road. One fall-back excuse is “look, it’s not about top-end, just better acceleration.” I take my GTS out on the highway early and often, and I’ve rarely had issues getting up to speed in reasonable time. (And: the excuse about needing cray-cray acceleration to “get out of trouble?” With few exceptions, you’re probably doing something wrong to get yourself into trouble to begin with.) In the early 60s, Honda humiliated may a big-bore bike with their CB77 Super Hawk…a bike with an engine only a bit bigger than my bike has, and only a slight increase in horsepower (okay, another cylinder, too). If your ride can manage 70mph or so the whole livelong day, you’re dong fine…and, if my experience on the Garden State Parkway, I-95 and the New York State Thruway are anything to go by, you won’t be doing 70 for very long; there’s always slower traffic to bring you down to 40-50.
So, yeah, “only” 24-25 horsepower is certainly enough.
Having been around long enough to have seen the growth in horsepower, cogitate this. In the 1960s a Triumph Bonneville or single carb Tiger put out 40 to 45 hp. Exactly the same as a twin cylinder Ninja 400. Yet the Ninja is a “Toy, entry level, little bike” while a 60s Triumph Bonneville was a “Big Bike” in its day. Even worse, by the same shifting goalposts, a 900cc Z-1 Kawasaki has been rendered a Middleweight by today’s goalposts.
Everything you say makes perfect sense. The need for more horsepower seems more often a rationalization than something based in need. But I guess we’re all free to make our decisions regardless of fact or sense.
The 2006 Vespa GTS will carry me along anywhere I go (except stream crossings) and it has only 21 horsepower. No need for more.