Curious about horsepower and quarter mile times

[bobotech]

I'm just wondering what the quarter mile times on these bikes are especially the GT550 like mine.

I also wonder how it compares to modern bikes in terms of real world performance.

I was looking at the horsepower ratings and it really seems to be competitive with modern bikes. My buddy has a 2007 Kawi Vulcan 900 and that only puts out 50+ horsepower compared the 48 that the GT550.

Now now, I know that is comparing apples to oranges and that the 900 will have quite a bit more torque available at a much lower RPM range but still, it surprises me that the GT550 has 48 hp.

[H2RICK]

And the A and B models have a screaming 50 hp !!!

If you get your 550 sorted out, it will eat that lame Kwak cruiser ALIVE....in a straight line OR in the corners !!!
You'll have to use the gearbox more than the cruiser guy will.....but then that's the fun part, IMO.

[johnakay]

And the A and B models have a screaming 50 hp !!!

If you get your 550 sorted out, it will eat that lame Kwak cruiser ALIVE....in a straight line OR in the corners !!!
You'll have to use the gearbox more than the cruiser guy will.....but then that's the fun part, IMO.

Rick you shouldn't encourage him..your a hooligan in sheep clothings

[barko1]

I

I was looking at the horsepower ratings and it really seems to be competitive with modern bikes. My buddy has a 2007 Kawi Vulcan 900 and that only puts out 50+ horsepower compared the 48 that the GT550.

A Vulcan is one type of modern bike but not much of a motor. A Suzuki 600 is good for 125 HP, quite a difference there.

[Craig380]

UK magazines typically got around early / mid-14 second standing quarters out of the 550 triples, US mags usually obtained times that were a couple of tenths quicker because a) in the US they used proper sticky dragstrips and b) had proper timing lights & beams.

UK magazines did their standing quarter tests on disused airfields with non-stick surfaces and hand-held stopwatches, activated when the operator heard the rider dump the clutch

[Cliff]

I've had my bike on a 1/4 mile track, and I did a 13.8 sec run on my third try. And this was with a stock, out of the showroom, 1974 GT550L with all of her 48HP!! I think I was lucky though on the start on that run! On all my other tries, my reaction time was measured with an hour glass!!