Topic: CB750 vs HD

[crazypj]

We have said it before, but 1000cc sportbikes are now so powerful that the way in which the engine delivers that power has taken on extreme importance. All of these bikes produce in excess of 150 rear-wheel horsepower in a package weighing less than 400lbs dry.

I believe that's stock.

With just a little work you get 171 bhp ( a friend races and has had his dyno'ed)
Power isnt limited, just the top speed, to the European standard, 300kph (roughly 186mph)
PJ

[crazypj]

I think that's going to depend on how much money the SOHC rider and is willing to spend. I mean, some guys are taking XS650 Yamahas and making 900cc runners out of 2 cylinders, why couldn't a 750 be built to scream also? If a person has the resources, there's not much he can't do.

I wonder. I'm aware of the road race motors built for the 750 that can make 90 reliable horsepower, but I'm assuming lifespan is measured -- as with most race engines -- in hours, not years. And the cheapest ready-to-race 750 motor I'm aware of is $10,000.

A big American V-twin cranking out 120+ HP (and similar torque numbers) can be bought for in the neighborhood of $5,000, dropped directly into your Harley, and expected to last for tens of thousands of miles.

So maybe I'm all wet when it comes to hopped-up SOHC motors, but it seems to me that getting ridiculous horsepower out of your Harley is a lot simpler than getting it out of your SOHC. It would be nice to be wrong about that, BTW, so anyone got a link?

 If you had a 2 litre honda it would produce more than 120 BHP and last at least 100,000 miles, they already make it, with over 600bhp when modified ( take a look at the automotive side) 120 bhp 'harley clone' has at least 120 cubic inch motor, and isnt going to get much more without a severe injection of cash ( Vance & Hines $250,000 billet 'V-Rod', engine only)
The XR750 does produce up to 105 bhp but its life is only a couple of hours at that output, relativly reliable a 90 though.
PJ
PS,
I'll be editing as I read more.

[Noel]

Cool stuff, HondaMan. These bikes continue to amaze me. As does the level of knowledge around here.

By the same token, however, the process hardly seems as simple as calling up S&S and ordering a "drop-in" engine. Moreover, if you start getting into the truly "custom" modifications, then the big twin guys get to play the same game. After the supercharger, nitrous, etc., the Harley is now making 300 HP. Or whatever.

What were we talking about, again?

[Terry in Australia]

Rex Wolfendon, (T-Rex Racing) Australia's premier CB750 based "Post Classic" race bike builder and racer, builds engines up to 1200CC, using the later DOHC crank and Hi-Vo cam and primary chains, and these weapons produce 140+ BHP at the rear wheel.

He doesn't just build the engine though, he heavily braces the OEM frame, reworks the suspension and adds a very trick box section swingarm, and these bikes are capable of speeds similar to modern racebikes. They are beautifully built, and well known for their quality and reliability. If you want one, pony up the dough, and wait..............

Having said all that, I like Harleys too, and I've no idea why so many here don't? I've owned a stock 1984 Iron Head Sporty and it was a great bike, it didn't leak oil, it was super reliable, and it handled better than any stock CB750 I've ever owned, I raced my buddy on his Moto-Guzzi all the way from Melbourne to Bathurst and back for the last of the Easter bike races in 1987 (a distance of 500 miles each way) and the Sporty surprised us both at how well it performed, and how frugal it was on fuel.

We also had another good friend on a stock CB750K2, who struggled at times to keep up with us. It was definately Moto-Guzzi first, Harley second, and Honda third. Over that 1000 mile weekend ride, we all had the opportunity to swap bikes, but the results didn't change much, my buddy, riding my Sporty got ahead of me on his Guzzi occasionally, but the Honda wasn't able to catch the other two until we got out of the twisty mountain roads and onto some long straights, but as soon as we came up to a corner, the Guzzi and Harley would sail around it.   

Eric Buell has just announced that one of the 2007 Buell's, the XBRR will produce in excess of 150BHP, it will be bored and stroked to 1340cc and will feature fuel injection. Nice looking bike, but not really my "cup of tea". Here's a link, and below that, a pic of one of Rex Wolfendon's magnificent race bikes. As I said, I'm a Harley fan, but out of these two, I'd much rather have the Honda! Cheers, Terry.

http://www.diseno-art.com/encyclopedia/vehicles/road/bikes/Buell_XBRR.html

[cben750f0]

man oh man what i would give to have one of those.... though for the price, it makes my 3500 dollar '01 cbr600 look waaaaaaaaaay cheap....peace

[crazypj]

Good thing you mentioned Buell, anyone ridden a 1200 lightning? only a couple of mods (all alloy 'race' exhaust and jetting, still queit) 105bhp at wheel, very low rpm, gonna loose licence with one of those for sure. I only did a 20 mile test, its quick, handles great ( better than the Rickman 750 I had, but that was 25 yrs ago) and you cant believe how fast your going at such low rpm's.
Bars are a bit low for round town, dont think I could get used to them but I'm not going to get the opportunity anyway
PJ

[BobbyR]

We don't dislike Harleys, I dislike the attitude of many of those who own them. Arrogant lot. 

[Noel]

We don't dislike Harleys, I dislike the attitude of many of those who own them. Arrogant lot.

That's true enough, but I'll tell you: I went for a ride on the local "racer road" yesterday and got more friendly waves from the Harley/cruiser crowd than from the power ranger sportbike crowd. And the guy who passed me on the right (one lane in each direction) was on a sportbike too.

I tend to like motorcycles more than I like their riders.

[Lumbee]

...looks like only a small number of the replys are addressing the original question.  Shame on you guys who immediately jumped on this thread as a moncho Honda vs. Harley bash fest    ...nuf said...

...so I just took the week off to attend Myrtle Bike week.  I'm home a parents which is about 80 miles from Myrtle.  Gonna spend a few days here before I go down to Myrtle on Wednesday.  My cousin has a 98 Anniversary Fat Boy.  He ask me if I want to ride down to Myrtle on our bikes and just pick up the keys to the vaction rental I have for the week, so I say sure.  We did about 150 miles in 2 hours.  Hard on the throttle all the way down and back.  Not once did either of us show any real advantage either way.  As a few have mentioned, alot of it is dependent on the rider.  On heavy acceleration the tach never went below 7K RPM.  I few times I caught myself with the tach at 10K...the V-twin drowns out the buzz of the inline 4 pretty quick.  We never did an out and out "race", but I think we both knew we were pretty evenly matched.  As far as I could tell who ever got the jump on the other is the one that stayed in front.

Bottom line for me is this, I spent 3K on my chop, and he spent 20K for his HD.  Any quesitons?

[eldar]

its all about the chrome I think. I dont think there is anything out there with more useless, heavy chrome, than a harley. Some like to be blinded by their own shine!

I couldnt care either way, I can put on shades!

[Terry in Australia]

Any quesitons?

I like yer back wheel mate, wots that off, a GSXR? Any probs fitting it?

Cheers,

Terry. 

[mrbreeze]

Lumbee,I like the look of your chop.What kind of frame is it?I always thought most set ups for a Honda looked like #$%* but I really like yours.

[Lumbee]

...thanx guys...rear wheel is from a 95 Yami FZR 600...had to cut spacers, but other than that it lined right up.  The frame is cycleone www.cycleonemanufacturing.com