fastest way to go from 0 to 60mph

Factual Questions
41
      • This was from a few years back, but at the time it was basically different classes for different amounts of power/weight combnations and an “expert” class that was open to any type of production car (more than 200 made and sold, IIRC). 4WD Talons tended to place near and often at the front of the pack, against cars that had lots more power but only had rear wheel drive. 2WD Talons did considerably worse. - I don’t read car magazines like I used to (I don’t have that night job at a convenience store anymore) so the rules are likely different now.
      • Car Trivia: I remember reading somewhere that the Eagle Talon is (so far) the only modern car that was available in FWD, RWD and 4WD, from the factory. True or not? - MC
42

To hell with the other four people. I just put a deposit on a Kawasaki ZX12-R Ninja motorcycle(will pick it up in the Spring). 170 hp with a 9.4 quarter mile (150 mph at the traps), top speed in the 180-190 mph range. If they wanna go fast they can drop 12k on their own; they ain’t ridin’ on mine!!

43

I never understood the appeal of those little rocket-bikes like the Ninja. It’s near suicide to ever open one of them up on a regular street, and if you’re just cruising around town they are really uncomfortable with that forward leaning-over-the-gas-tank riding posture. Give me a hog any day, where I can sit back and relax while motoring.

Other than being cool, what are your reasons for wanting one of those bikes?

44
      • It’s true that rocket bikes are uncomfortable, but then, if you just want to be comfortable, Harleys are way overpriced.
        If you want a bike that will show how fat your wallet is without aggravating your arms and neck, any ridable Indian beats any Harley, any day of the week. - MC
45

A matter of taste, dhanson.

If you prefer a twisty B-road to cruising round town, sportsbikes are pure delight.

Their top speed is, as you say, not really useful - unless you’re on the autobahn (no limits!) :wink: But their handling (effective brakes, mindboggling acceleration and good grip in curves) makes for fast, yet safe riding. A fast bike (Ninja, GSXR, Mille), a stretch of dry, twisty road and a signed guarantee that the police is somewhere else - heaven!

But of course, the sportsbikes for some reason aren’t as popular among the general (non-riding) public - more specifically, among young women. Darn!

Anyway, I’ll gladly admit that I’ve never ridden a Harley, only japanese HD-lookalikes - and I didn’t like these at all, they felt “sloppy” and unresponsive to me.

Oh, and to touch (lightly) on the subject of the OP: I’d guess that 90% of all motorcycles would outaccelerate 90% of all cars, which is one of the things that make bikes so damn appealing.

Hey, my first post ever on SDMB!

46

Can’t argue with the twisty road concept. I used to have a little Datsun 240Z for just that reason.

But I see a lot of these Ninja bikes being driven by young guys around the big city, and I’ll bet the vast majority of them have never seen a country road. One guy I worked with bought one for commuting. He couldn’t carry anything on it, and it just looked like a big hassle to me.

47

True - most sportsbikes are not at home in the city, the cruiser concept works far better there. My old bike (250 cc two-stroke racing replica) was desribed in a test as “just liveable-with” in traffic, which was very accurate.

Of course, lots of bikes (be they sportsbikes or cruisers) are bought primarily for their “poser value”.

Too bad we seem to agree - “Cruisers vs. Sportsbikes” would make an excellent Great Debate.

Damn, I miss riding already - how long until spring ??

48

Re: the original post.

I had sent an e-mail to Mercedes, here was the answer (just received today):

So dhanson was right all along when he said

Here’s a link to the Mercedes ML55 web site.

Quand les talons claquent, l’esprit se vide.
Maréchal Lyautey