Does weight play a role in acceleration? Who wins??
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Yes, weight has a major role in acceleration. However HP has nothing to do with acceleration, only speed. What is required to accelerate an Ultra as quickly as an RK is more torque. HP is a product of torque (not the other way round) so more torque may also give more HP.
It does take extra HP to accelerate extra mass. But rolling resistance and other factors come into play. At the end of the day, though, I would not be concerned about drag-race performance on my tour bike.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 462
From: Arizona
Why has nobody mentioned the most important factor? COLOR!!! White bikes are a hell of a lot faster than any old black bike.
Factors affecting motorcycle speed
HP 5%
TQ 5%
Rider 5%
Color 85%
Factors affecting motorcycle speed
HP 5%
TQ 5%
Rider 5%
Color 85%
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 757
Likes: 4
I know there are hundreds of variables that affect the acceleration. I just want to go based on weight and HP (or TQ since they are related). I also know they're touring bikes not race bikes. A bunch of us were talking about the added weight of the Ultra's and I wanted to see if there was a consensus on how much it affects acceleration, if at all.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 32
From: Canton, Ohio
I'd be willing to let a professional rider take mine to the track to compare it with a stock RK to settle it all.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 757
Likes: 4
Any unscientific stories to share that support or contradict my theory?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 32
From: Canton, Ohio
Nope, You were wondering if a stock RK would keep up/ beat a CVO Ultra. I'm not the best rider that's why I said let a pro take the two bikes to a track and run times with them. Same driver on both bikes, just comparing times. Might be the best way to figure it out.
