This is what the RS660 is though IMO, yes some components aren't quite as premium as they would have been relatively in the days of the RS250. However I really think for the money it is the 'next' 250 really, and I'm seriously tempted to own one purely for that reason.
A friend has the RS660, in 6 months of ownership, he has been recovered from the roadside twice and whatever the finish is on the swingarm, it has worn through to metal where his boot heel rubs. On close inspection, the fit and finish on his example, is definitely not premium. Nowhere near the quality of the Tuono Factory I rode several months ago. Andy
providing you believe what the 250 was quoted as, besides it’s a pointless argument based only on weight as equally it has far more torque probably from idle than the rs250 makes at peak! Btw I’m the worlds biggest 250 fan having owned 2 strokes and grown up with this era, I’m just trying to be a realist I think there will be more smaller capacity bikes along, but none will have The absolute premium. the one bike that is coming that will be pretty cool. Is the Norton super light. Providing it stays a premium spec, it will be a lovely bike, even if it’s likely to only have 85hp once the honesty stick has been waved on it like it has the new V4 which is 170hp
IMHO its the weight that makes the 2 strokes so much fun, although the power band helps But light and nimble.
And the noise and the smell. There’s also something exotic and special about 2 strokes, whereas most small capacity 4 strokes are utilitarian and sound horrible due to being singles or parallel twins. I’m sure that in their day most 2 stroke engines were basic and bog standard, but that’s my opinion/perception, most likely coloured by a nostalgia filter
I road ride out of necessity, but track for pure adrenalin fuelled pleasure. It has taken me two years to graduate from the 748R to the 1199 (RS) with 190 rwhp. What I have learnt has also made me a much better and faster track rider. I still have a lot further to go, but could never have got this far without a "modern 200 bhp sports bike". Thank you Ducati et al for the opportunity.
interesting thoughts, I’m currently at a point where I’m still learning loads on a 600 (well a 675) but feel frustrated sharing tracks with people achieving the same lap time but being much slower in the corners, it’s giving me the ‘can’t beat them join them’ feeling. I’ve got some trackdays planned on my F3 800 next year which is a good 20hp up on tbe 675 so hopefully will be a little less frustrating and perhaps after next year I can step up to a litre bike. Because the one thing I know is I would be embarrassed if I was on a 1000cc and slower in the corners, I get that it’s a point and squirt style but as this thread is eluding to, there’s almost no option now but to end up on something that’s setting fire to your balls the whole time
Ha ha....had a few years of this riding the 748R in Middle Group, dive bombing the big boys into and out of the corners, then getting passed down the straights.
I also thought I was Billy Big Bollocks and a fully paid up member of the “getting held up in the corners” club until I had some 1-2-1 tuition from a BSB rider who pointed out that while I was really good on the brakes and corner entry (which was why I was passing people/being held up) I wasn’t getting on the power early enough on the exits, which was why I was getting re-passed halfway up the straights, rather than lack of power or electronic rider aids per se. I was fast in/slow out while they were slow in/fast out.
I was very close to ordering a V4S Streetfighter, but just felt that it was too much for the roads. I'm never going to grow up, so it would only be a matter of time before I'd be someones prison bitch if I had that bike. So went for the V2 version instead, as that should be a better balance of power for my immaturity.
I understand the urge to use the full potential of a motorcycle/engine. (hence a lower "spec" motorcycle can be more fun if used at 90%, compared to something used at only 40%) A modern family car can do 130mph at 80% throttle on motorways, despite this is extremely rare to see someone driving at this speed...so how can a motorcycle rider blame the high engine output? more to do with the right wrist....
In my experience it takes far less effort to go fast into a corner on a smaller bike, carry the speed and exit fast than a larger one. Apart from the final turn, In the video I always overtake round the outside. This may be caused by the much higher top speed of the larger bike requiring sooner/harder retardation and an earlier turn in.
The bike I was riding was neither small or light tbh (1200 Bandit with GSXR front and rear end transplants). It weighs a ton, has 120ish BHP and benefits from absolutely no rider aids whatsoever. In fact for part of the day in question the gear lever came loose and it wouldn’t change up so I just left it in 3rd!
The 660 weighs 183kgs 100bhp 67NM My Monster weighs less, has 90+bhp 80+NM Now the Aprilia 660 has riders aids (I don't want) but has nothing that would make me pay 10K for, when its not giving me much that I don't already have. My Monster is modded (engine & suspension) and I've spent far too much on it -perhaps if it was still standard -and I still had the mods cash- the 660 may appeal to me... The RS250 is free revving, & has lightness which no four stroke will ever have. Some would say "Crap torque & Crap top speed... " and they have a point. But the nimble way it rides is what appeals to me. I'm glad they (and LC350 RD400 & RG500) are ridiculously over priced or I would have to build a bigger garage! At end of the day -each to their own!
..and the fear not knowing when it will lock up the rear tyre...my RGV 250 gave me a lot of "thrills" when seized up going into Paddock Hill turn
You can always tell if someone grew up riding 2 strokes maintained to teenage boy standards by the fact that they ride while covering the clutch in case the engine seizes
