far too many variables to say a definite answer. It all depends on the driver of the car and the rider of the motorcycle. It depends on the bike and the car. Could the sporty beat a number of cars off the line? Yeah, could it beat a corvette stingray or Challenger Hellcat driven by someone who knows what they are doing? Maybe but probably not.
Sportster VS Car
I'm not a motorcycle racer I just like to cruise around, occasionally getting my Sportster 1200 up in the 80 MPH range when I'm on the open highway. Today I was at light when this young kid pulled up next to me in some sort of sporty looking Hyundai. He had the typical head tilt while holding the steering wheel with one hand and eating an egg sandwich with the other. I knew he wanted to race me, but like I said a don't do that. Anyway as the light turned green he floored the gas and I just took off as I normally do. Needless to say he was out of sight in a hurry. It seemed to me that if I did want to race him that by time I would have gotten past first gear he still would have been long gone. So my question is... Is a car with automatic transmission faster out of the gate than a motorcycle. Maybe I'm short changing my Sportster 1200 or maybe I'm just short changing my riding ability to beat that Hyundai but I couldn't see me beating that little white car out of the gate. I know there are guys and gals out there that have the answer to this question. Mind you I'm just curious because at my age racing a bike is not an option.
1 - 20 of 37 Posts
If I was all that interested in beating little white sports cars off the line, I'd be riding a crotch rocket (NOT) and probably be doing it at a drag strip.
It seems that in a car with an auto transmission all you'd have to do is floor it and you'd be a winner against a bike.far too many variables to say a definite answer. It all depends on the driver of the car and the rider of the motorcycle. It depends on the bike and the car. Could the sporty beat a number of cars off the line? Yeah, could it beat a corvette stingray or Challenger Hellcat driven by someone who knows what they are doing? Maybe but probably not.
IMO your sportster would smoke that Hyundai. The 1200 is quick. Let the punk kid think that he was faster. Your the better man for not be lured into a race.
Oh me too but like I said I was just curious because I've seen video of bikes beating cars in races and I've heard some tales from my friends.If I was all that interested in beating little white sports cars off the line, I'd be riding a crotch rocket (NOT) and probably be doing it at a drag strip.
Yeah I'm to old and and much wiser now to race some punk in a Hyundai These kids in imitation sports cars crack me up anyway.IMO your sportster would smoke that Hyundai. The 1200 is quick. Let the punk kid think that he was faster. Your the better man for not be lured into a race.
To me a roll on is much more fun though I:bikerguy:'m not a racer.
The last time I actually raced a car was in 1969 on my sportster (883 in those days) and I didn't know I was actually racing.
Until I heard the car next to me red lining in 1st gear going to second. He was racing me! I was already in second and looked down at him (to the right) smiled and gave a little wave and cracked the throttle .
Left him in the dust and I was thrilled as it was a newish vett. I never had the need to race again, but still have the proud hairs from the episode. Still smiling until the Japs came out with the 3 cylinder jobs which could run away from me. But that was a couple of years off in the future.
So heck yes your 1200 will outrun production cars. Maybe not a Shelby . . . never tried.
The only mod at the time was mufflers that I took a very large, long screwdriver to and punched a hole in the baffles and a counter shaft sprocket that gave me more punch off the line in order to beat my friend who also had a sportster.
Until I heard the car next to me red lining in 1st gear going to second. He was racing me! I was already in second and looked down at him (to the right) smiled and gave a little wave and cracked the throttle .
Left him in the dust and I was thrilled as it was a newish vett. I never had the need to race again, but still have the proud hairs from the episode. Still smiling until the Japs came out with the 3 cylinder jobs which could run away from me. But that was a couple of years off in the future.
So heck yes your 1200 will outrun production cars. Maybe not a Shelby . . . never tried.
The only mod at the time was mufflers that I took a very large, long screwdriver to and punched a hole in the baffles and a counter shaft sprocket that gave me more punch off the line in order to beat my friend who also had a sportster.
Thanks and btw... I enjoyed seeing your history of bikes.The last time I actually raced a car was in 1969 on my sportster (883 in those days) and I didn't know I was actually racing.
Until I heard the car next to me red lining in 1st gear going to second. He was racing me! I was already in second and looked down at him (to the right) smiled and gave a little wave and cracked the throttle .
Left him in the dust and I was thrilled as it was a newish vett. I never had the need to race again, but still have the proud hairs from the episode. Still smiling until the Japs came out with the 3 cylinder jobs which could run away from me. But that was a couple of years off in the future.
So heck yes your 1200 will outrun production cars. Maybe not a Shelby . . . never tried.
The only mod at the time was mufflers that I took a very large, long screwdriver to and punched a hole in the baffles and a counter shaft sprocket that gave me more punch off the line in order to beat my friend who also had a sportster.
Your bike would beat most cars off the line. It all comes down to driver/rider and their clutch skills.
Btw cheers for holding back, I can't. I am even worse on the Buell.
Btw cheers for holding back, I can't. I am even worse on the Buell.
I beat a lot of cars with my crotch rocket years ago. As previously stated there are many factors to you beating him. Now, I would just blip the throttle to get him pumped up and leave like I'm going to work. It's his ticket. He could have NOS or a turbo, you wouldn't know and would not have a chance.
It seems that in a car with an auto transmission all you'd have to do is floor it and you'd be a winner against a bike.
Yeah you can floor it but I have better control of my speed with a clutch. Auto transmissions are not fast; hence the reason why all great muscle cars come with a stick shift or at least some form of being able to shift gears.
Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
It all depends, the only car that has challeneged me and won was a cadillac ctsv, that was a fast car. And I have a 1k lb ultra with a stock 103.
I've seen some cars with automatics I wouldn't run with my crotch rocket. Automatics can beat a manual trans with the right parts. My Chevelle beat a few 4 speeds in it's day.Yeah you can floor it but I have better control of my speed with a clutch. Auto transmissions are not fast; hence the reason why all great muscle cars come with a stick shift or at least some form of being able to shift gears.
Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
The Heritage with the stock 103 "feels" like I remember my 883. And that's without special cams (like the sportster had) or special gearing. So now I have a cruiser that runs like my old sportster. (The sportster evolved from Harley's racing division in the late 50's. They used to run the KR 750 and the sportster sprang from that around 1956.)
Racing greats like Bart Markel and Gary Nixon were top runners back in the 60's. I think they have passed in recent years.
I still remember the cover story on Cycle Magazine in 1970. The Headline was "Killer Sportster" and it had a beautiful white sportster on the cover with triangle shaped rainbow colors on the tank and center strips on the fenders. . In the article it talked about a Mikuni carb and the biggest engine at the time - 1200 cc. And that is what you guys have today.
I would think the 88's and 96's with mods would do as good or better. The problem is that there is always someone who has a faster bike. So just enjoy yours for the great ride it is.
Racing greats like Bart Markel and Gary Nixon were top runners back in the 60's. I think they have passed in recent years.
I still remember the cover story on Cycle Magazine in 1970. The Headline was "Killer Sportster" and it had a beautiful white sportster on the cover with triangle shaped rainbow colors on the tank and center strips on the fenders. . In the article it talked about a Mikuni carb and the biggest engine at the time - 1200 cc. And that is what you guys have today.
I would think the 88's and 96's with mods would do as good or better. The problem is that there is always someone who has a faster bike. So just enjoy yours for the great ride it is.
Alcohol Funny Cars have automatics. :thinkYeah you can floor it but I have better control of my speed with a clutch. Auto transmissions are not fast; hence the reason why all great muscle cars come with a stick shift or at least some form of being able to shift gears.
:thumb
I know when I start off in second and dump the clutch into 3rd I can beat most cars off the line on my 883 have to around here in most merge directly after stoplight situations.
Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
1 - 20 of 37 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Harley Davidson Forums
A forum community dedicated to all Harley-Davidson model owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, builds, maintenance, classifieds and more!
Full Forum Listing
