Do higher powered bikes inhibit rider growth?

[KTMRider4Life]

In my experience riders grow faster by riding smaller displacement bikes, it makes the rider focus on their technique more which is transfered to larger faster motorcycles. Many of the fastest riders from multiple disciplines used small bikes to train on.

 

 

One of the best flat trackers of all time teaches people of all experience levels on little bikes. 

 

 

Best road racer in the world say's this practice helps a ton. 

 

Edited October 1, 2016 by Squid_Racer

[Behind Bars]

High displacement allows a rider to run in higher gears and shift less. Sure there are plenty of gapers who think that being able to win a drag race makes them faster, but there are MANY good riders who can run faster on bigger bikes. Larger engines come with heavier components which make turning harder. If you wind up a big bore the crank has considerable rotational mass that acts against cornering. Low rpms with high hp and torque makes up for that deficit, but it takes a skilled rider to run accordingly. If a reader doesn't believe me, enter the open class on a 125 and see how things shake out.

 

I run a big bore and find it easier and more pleasing than banging gears and slipping the clutch constantly. Can I rider a smaller bike as fast? Some times, and in some places smaller is faster. But a smaller bike is not faster everywhere. We all make accommodations necessary depending on the bike we chose. I will say that it takes skill to position yourself so that the big bores do not beat you up excessively. Conditioning is a factor, too.

 

The best idea is to ride what you have the best you can. Ride and burn as much fuel as you can and have fun. "Run what you brung" as an old jeeper friend used to say. And I wouldn't worry about what some pro rides--he can probably beat you on an 80, but that doesn't make an 80 the best bike for you.

[Singletrack_rider]

I probably should have titled this "new" or " less experienced " rider growth.

Once you have several years of riding experience behind you your probably not going to make significant improvement on a month to month basis.

At that point you more than likely found the bike that works for you.

Myself after not seriously riding for several years I didn't realize how much skill I lost.

I could of stayed on my 250 st and been fine. But buying a 125 2st for a play bike was an eye opener.

The 125 was quite enough so I turned it into a 150.

What the bike did was vastly improve my corner speed and made me a lot smoother.

Since I didn't have the torque coming out of corners it forced me to carry more speed through them. Also pick a better line and not just powering over. I could control the bike better, dominant the bike vs the bike dominanting me.

Since it didn't tire me out as fast I could ride harder ,longer and more cleanly.

On the smaller bikes you have to ride smarter . You pay for mistakes.

I've made more progress in the last year than I could have hoped for.

Now I'm moving back to more power and skills I learn on the smaller bike or carrying over.

[shrubitup]

If 450s didn't have a weight and handling disadvantage I'd likely have one.

 

I've only owned two 450s. First one was weak and would not hot start (kicker only). Second one is current bike without the problems of the first 450 I had. I've only had second one for four months now but I am not feeling the disadvantage they're supposed to have. YMMV. 

[seer]

I've only owned two 450s. First one was weak and would not hot start (kicker only). Second one is current bike without the problems of the first 450 I had. I've only had second one for four months now but I am not feeling the disadvantage they're supposed to have. YMMV.

i had a yz450 . My 2 strokes are noticeably lighter and much easier to handle at lower speeds. At speed the 450 was nice although still not nearly as flickable.

[XRalways]

I have no problem admitting to anyone, that a 250F has enough power for me. In fact, it has lots of power; and in the trails, I keep up to every other size of bike.

Ripping 90mph down a gravel road doesnt interest me.

[flynn_]

Doesn't the idea of being "man enough" to tame a monster like a KTM 950 off road appeal to you though? Even a little bit?

[KTMRider4Life]

Doesn't the idea of being "man enough" to tame a monster like a KTM 950 off road appeal to you though? Even a little bit?

Yes that's why my stable includes street legal bikes ranging from xr100 to 950 Adventure

[Singletrack_rider]

I even have a kx500 to ride when I need a testosterone boost.

[EmpireofDerp]

The only thing that slows rider development is lack of seat time or willingness to push, no matter the bike.

[EmpireofDerp]

I see a lot of people including the 250 2 stroke in this discussion as being "too much bike". While I do agree with everything you guys are saying about the large bore 4 strokes and the big 2t's but in my personal opinion a 250 2 stroke is the perfect machine. I too went from the big 4 strokes back to a 250 2 stroke and after the bike was correctly set up I also noticed a HUGE change in my skill set. It's light and it's not too much power, I can safely ride this machine on the pipe, keep torque and momentum up for obstacles all while conserving energy. The big four strokes are a false notion that you are riding good and fast because the motor does a bunch of work. I feel that anything larger than a 250 2 stroke is overkill and in fact I sold a yz 295 because it got me into trouble and shattered my wrist. Compensating for skill with motor is a dangerous game

+1 for the 250 2T. For the same reasons. Goldilocks.