All 250s were rated exactly 59bhp too. What a coincidence! Yet, certain few trick RGV models allegedly stuck out quite a few more than that.... All a silly exercise, rather like the loony 100bhp law the europe had for a while in the 90s, which is why the second iteration of ZXR750 had less power than the original, and only the R model had full beans for a few years until the idea was dropped.

speedy231278 wrote:All 250s were rated exactly 59bhp too. What a coincidence! Yet, certain few trick RGV models allegedly stuck out quite a few more than that.... All a silly exercise, rather like the loony 100bhp law the europe had for a while in the 90s, which is why the second iteration of ZXR750 had less power than the original, and only the R model had full beans for a few years until the idea was dropped.

I don't think it is a silly exercise.

The 280bhp limit was a mfg's agreement in the 90's at a time when cars were being sold on HP merits alone, the downside to this was at the same time Japan's number of road fatalaties was at an all-time high.

Japanese mfg's wanted to show they were being somewhat responsible and tried to stop the ever-increasing strive to out-do each other with higher BHP and discourage show-boating.

The original 180km/h limit and hp restrictions were brought in during the late 70's when there was a strong problem with biker-gangs in Japan who gave less than a shit about the law.

By limiting the power and top speed you were making the roads slightly safer.

I think most VFR400 riders will agree that the power it has is ample for street riding, especially in Japan where the maximum speed limit is 62mph on motorways and often much lower in twisty narrow urban areas.

Some people seem to see limitations as imposing on some kind of distorted human rights nonsense, but even as recently as a couple of weeks ago I read a story in the paper about a young car rider who killed his girlfriend travelling at 140 something mph in a 30mph road.

What do you need all the speed and power for on the busy roads? Many people can't even be trusted with normally slow cars and bikes, let alone fast ones.

Even my 23 year old NC30 is capable of breaking every speed limit and beating most normals cars from a standing start, so why need any more power than that?

I agree with neo on this one, even with my NC restricted it's more than enough power.

I can break all the speed limits pretty easily and make any chav in a car or on a ped look pretty stupid at a set of lights.

Personally I don't get why people buy huge sportbikes, yeah they're very fast and all that but they're just too quick to ride hard on the road.

My point about it being silly was that a 'limit' was set, yet the vehicles affected by this limit were rarely actually limited to said amount of power and frequently produced in excess. Most 280bhp Skylines and Supras actually produce somewhere around 325!

Also, if you're so concerned about dangerous behaviour on the road, why are you announcing you can break all the speed limits and beat people away from traffic lights?

I'm saying its possible, on paper, haven't tested my theory though...

Yup, like my restricted 125 didn't go off the clock...

speedy231278 wrote:My point about it being silly was that a 'limit' was set, yet the vehicles affected by this limit were rarely actually limited to said amount of power and frequently produced in excess. Most 280bhp Skylines and Supras actually produce somewhere around 325!

Also, if you're so concerned about dangerous behaviour on the road, why are you announcing you can break all the speed limits and beat people away from traffic lights?

Can means it is possible.

Even legal speed limits are only a guide, just becuase the maximum limit is 60 never means it is safe to drive at 60. Due to conditions a slower speed might be more appropriate.

I also said many people are irresponsible.

While both illega, There is a difference between driving at say 100mph on a motorway at night with no traffic than driving 140mph on a mobile phone through a school zone in a BMW during the day (true story)

And yes.. many of the supras etc produced more bhp than the gentlemans agreement (it was NEVER law) but they were ALL factory limited to 180km/h.

The power limit has since been scrapped.