I have always thought that 50 HP was about the ideal for a single rider. For me, it it enough for around town, and the freeway.   I was wondering what others on the site felt.

42,...
Didn't you see the Hitchhikers guide?.... ...

Gerald, I could start another "oil war" by telling you how little it takes to move a train on level track, but I won't. A coal train here in the South weighs about 15-17,000 tons iirc. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern commonly use three engines with 4,000-4,400 hp each. However one engine with 13,000 hp couldn't pull the train because of the traction needed. I've been a railfan many years, so I'm going mostly from memory, but it doesn't take as much as you would think.
Remember horsepower is force and movement. As the saying goes "going fast costs money"--which means horsepower. Just sayin'.  

At 152lbs. loving the twisty roads and mainly being an around town or two lane country rider the LS650 completely suits my needs.  If I was on the interstates regularly I'd want something more substantial.

SALB wrote on 09/08/12 at 20:35:22:

+1.
got to agree. Too many variables. I've had a few bikes and always prefer smaller weight bikes and always ride solo. (my wife has her own bike).
It depends on what you want to do. At one time I had a 600 Katana which is about an 70 hp bike (rear wheel HP). The thing about Katana's though, is they are heavy and big for a sport bike, which made it GREAT for a highway/interstate ride (IMO). Very smooooth.  ...BUT....I hated having to turn it around in my driveway or putting it in and out of my shed, etc. It was tall , heavy and really more power then I needed for around town.
on the other end, I also once had a GZ250, which is about 20hp...but small and light...sooooo...it was great for around town and I commuted to work, mainly taking 50-55 mph parkways and such, and it was just fine. The small size and weight (and low power) made the bike scary on major highways and no interstate travel on it. BUT...for most one up riding the 20hp was enough.
My Shadow Spirit 750 stock is 35.4hp (Mine's rejetted, open air box, etc, maybe 38 rear wheel hp, don't know, and a smaller rear sprocket). In my mind it's the best for just an all around bike. The sprocket change made it highway worthy, the low end torque and size makes it a blast around town.  
Anyway, it just depends on how you ride etc. The Savage seems perfect for an around town backroad bike to me. It's not the lack of HP that makes me think it's not a good highway bike, but the low weight, brakes and suspension.

I have to disagree a bit guys.  The LS650 is not perfect of course since it was designed and built to be a low price entry level bike, but it is a good base platform from which to build.

If you have a bike that begins to feel unstable at 70 mph then you have some thing/s wrong.  A stock bike in good condition will go up to 100 mph and be stable.  Check your suspension, tires,wheel alignment, etc, if yours is not stable.
Improvements to upgrade include fork springs, heavier weight fork oil, fork brace, replacing rear shocks, quality tires, brake pads/shoes, all of which will add to the stability & handling across the board.

Then there are the performance upgrades which will boost or magnify the best qualities of this big single.  
Do you like the torque characteristics of it ?  It will increase.
Do you like the ease of handling and maneuverability of it ?  It will improve.
Do you like the feel of this kind of power ?  It will increase.

This bike in stock form is only half the bike it is capable of being.

LANCER wrote on 09/10/12 at 11:14:06:


Didn't know there were upgraded fork springs available.  Where might I find those?

R.F.

LANCER wrote on 09/10/12 at 11:32:57:


Thanks man,  will definitely have to look into them. These stock fork springs suck on the Texas back roads.