The question was, "Can a 1200cc retro styled motorcycle keep up with a 675cc sport bike?" The answer is a most affirmative, "Yes". If you're on the T120, just crank open the throttle, have faith, and ride the machine. I've had a few sport bikes for lunch myself.
In this video, listen to the sport bike's constant shifting, and how hard its engine is working at all times. You can't even hear the T120.
The 675 is actually a more powerful engine and given equal riders on a track with long straights, it would inhale the T120, but in street situations where there are other limiting factors, T120 makes a good showing. On the tight, twisty roads I like, the T120 engine would be better due to its plentiful low end which as you say means less shifting to stay in the power.
You know the 675 guy was a little miffed he couldn't put any more distance on grampa's bike than he did.
Nice video. I know the T120 with stock exhaust is quieter, but the real reason you're not hearing it is that the sound of the T120 is behind the mic pickup and the bike is moving forward. It's the whole Doppler thing.... the bike in front appears higher pitched and louder. Any sound that gets past the wind noise to the mic from the T120 will be at a much lower frequency.
...None of which is here nor there for the purposes of the video. It's obvious that, given the room to stretch it's legs, the 675 would run away from the T120, but in traffic on most public roads the T120 can hold its own.
Nice video. I know the T120 with stock exhaust is quieter, but the real reason you're not hearing it is that the sound of the T120 is behind the mic pickup and the bike is moving forward. It's the whole Doppler thing.... the bike in front appears higher pitched and louder. Any sound that gets past the wind noise to the mic from the T120 will be at a much lower frequency.
Yeah, although it's quieter mainly because it's quieter, and the 675's exhaust is just plain loud. Doppler has no effect here as the mic is on the bike, although as you say because most of the noise is out of the end of the pipes and pointed backwards you won't hear nearly as much if the camera mic is facing forwards.
Now if the T120 managed to get in front and the 675 was recording, we'd probably hear it a little more clearly. Of course that's unlikely to happen, as the drag on the full-fairing 675 and rider is so much lower than poor exposed rider on the T120 (even if he is a "little Asian"), and you can see in the footage that when the 675 really opens it up he gets a good pull ahead, then the T120 catches up every time he hits traffic.
Let's be realistic; almost any bikes are closely matched in traffic like that. You don't get to top-speed in those situations, and it's mostly about which rider is stupid (or suicidal) enough to pass vehicles with 120kph difference, blindly trusting the driver won't indicate and change lanes. We all know that when you're doing over 240kph it takes 500m to heave the bike to another lane!
These videos are fun to watch, but if you really want to see a shoot-out, get a couple of good riders to do that on a real race-track
I don't think either of those bikes exceeded 90 mph. Yes, the T120 can keep pace at those speeds. Put both of them on a race track and you will see a completely different story. The only thing the T120 rider will be having for lunch will be humble pie.
Yes, you are probably correct. But, for the over 99% of people riding a T120, it's perfect for what it was built for. Race track? Why bother, unless you want to ride faster than laws permit? My ego doesn't need to bet on humble pie.
You missed my point, professor. The statement I was challenging was ...
"Can a 1200cc retro styled motorcycle keep up with a 675cc sport bike?" The answer is a most affirmative, "Yes". If you're on the T120, just crank open the throttle, have faith, and ride the machine. I've had a few sport bikes for lunch myself.
Almost any motorcycle can be ridden at normal highway speeds and most can exceed those limits quite well, but to declare that a T120 can keep up with a 675cc sport bike is false.
And yet the guy on the bike with a much lower peak torque pulls ahead. How can it be?
BTW, that guy on the T120 is a damn good (if fuggin nuts) rider. You should see his vids riding his personal Street Triple. He keeps the tach pinned thru those traffic filled sweepers and passes everything on the road. S1000RRs, ZX-10Rs, R1s are all lunch to him.
FWIW, he seems to think highly of the Thruxies too:
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