[altoon]

i'll admit that some of them are pretty cool to look at, but other than that, a chopper is crap. my idea of a motorcycle is to maximize power-to-weight ratio, and have razor-sharp handling. plus, it should look good doing it. and the MV's fit those parameters better than anything out there.

so, at the other end of the performance spectrum, we have choppers. big, heavy, crappy handling, and slow.

i do some consulting work for a custom chopper shop here in so. cal. and they asked me to help them understand gearing and drive force (thrust) on their machines. just looking at the calcuations even for the biggest motor (124 ci or 2031 cc's), the gearing is so bad that 5th and 6th are useless.

here's where the story get better. i told the guy that the data indicates that anything after 4th, and the bike will slow down. on top of that, since the drag (aerodynamic) is so bad on a chopper, i was doubtful that the bike would get past 140mph. and i was being generous. honestly, i don't think it'll go much faster than 125 mph. drag goes as the square of velocity, and those bikes have HORRIBLE drag coefficients.

so, now this guy wants me to come out to some dry lake bed, and he'd going to prove that i'm wrong.

i've offered to put money on this. but i'm beginning to feel bad. this is a bet that he just can't win...

alex

 

[Gladio]

I don't know much about choppers, but I remember watching a show where a couple in Florida, who used to work for GM?, created a new replacement transmission or such to make the most use of the power a big twin powerband.

I used to feel the same way that you do about performance. But sometimes it's not just about going fast or braking hard. Sometimes it's just about putting around on something you enjoy or better yet, built yourself. I've owned a few VTwins now and there is something special about them. I loved my RC51 if nothing else for the sound through the akrapovics.

Besides, I have fun on most things with two wheels. I have a blast zooming around an my Zuma pit bike.

BTW: Check these guys out. The Sunday Riders Let's see you have that kind of fun on your MV.

 

[altoon]

ok, maybe my title is a bit harsh...

but i'm sick of hearing about guys on their custom air-cooled twins talking smack about performance.

i'm looking forward to this "test". it will be interesting at the very least!

alex

 

[Rockethouse]

Don't stress about it let him think whatever he wants. I don't come across it much now but had to endure it plenty when I got my first RG250 21years ago. I checked your profile and see that you’re only a year younger than me so maybe you should be a little more resilient to this type of stupidity.

 

[BDMF]

Post the results...And pictures. At the very least, you've started an interesting story!

 

[airfuel]

Choppers aren't my thing but I do admire some of the fabrication and the artwork such as paint designs etc.

Performance is not what they are about but I will bet the house that some of the big bore bikes WILL beat you at a drag race across the intersection.

Thank goodness there is diversity or else everyone would be riding MV's

John

 

[Greeneggs&ham]

I have to admit that i do enjoy the fabrication process that comes into play with making a custom chopper. some people can just take a piece of bare metal and turn it into a beautiful motorcycle. they aren't supposed to be as fast as our bikes but i think it would be a joy to watch someone try to hit 140 on a chopper. even with a howling tail wind i don't think they would come close with the weight. If you can get some video's also i would love to see it. you do bring up a good conversation topic, i look forward to the final result.

 

[kamranmarashi]

... call the media for this one. "Pinks" the reality show!!! :stickpoke

 

[BDMF]

... call the media for this one. "Pinks" the reality show!!! :stickpoke

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

 

[altoon]

there will be photos. and video.

he wants me to bring the f4 1000, which i expect to pick-up next week. i'm supposed to be the 'chase' vehicle and get some pictures and video of his chopper hauling down this lake bed.

we'll see.

alex

 

[Rockethouse]

Tell him you don't need the MV for that and you have an electric powered pushbike at home that can do the job.

 

[kamranmarashi]

Tell him you don't need the MV for that and you have an electric powered pushbike at home that can do the job.

... if it gets down to that, tell him "my nose runs faster than that"!!!!!!!! :guitarist
Or, you'll have your grand ma meet him at the track with her walker! :later:
She'll be there with her calander to time the 0-60!!! nthecan:

 

[altoon]

:laughing:

i'll probably just bring my 03 R6...

...with a plow attached to the back to make it even...

all kidding aside, be careful about getting into a light-to-light drag race with a chopper. off the line, to about 30mph, those things can be quick!

i just checked, and a honda valkyrie rune can do 0-60 (~100kph) in 3.77 sec! so, if you don't get a good launch with your MV, you could be sucking fumes.

alex