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One way to see the difference is to compare insurance costs. I guess I could probably get a bike that did 0-60 in less than 4 seconds. If that makes it more safe I would have a hard time believing the insurance rates would be 400% higher (which it is).
Reminds me of the end of the super car era around 1970. One of the local hot rodders bought a 69 Boss 429 Mustang, the one with the OHC engine Ford was trying to get approved for Nascar for about $4500 new. Within a few months his insurance was $3000 a year, which at the time was 25% of the amount of wages you needed to make to reach the limit of having to pay into Social Security. In todays money that would equate to something like $20k per year for insurance on one car!
The little CBR is rated at just under 9 seconds 0-60, which is faster than the most powerful 57 Chevy sold new. A 1970 340 Challenger was good for 0-60 in 7 seconds. My 4 cylinder Altima is supposed to be in the 7.5-8 second range.
Personally I can not remember when power saved me from an accident or a dangerous situation, which usually requires brakes or serious changes in direction. I can remember one time when power could have got me killed when a driver ran a red light and would have t-boned me in the drivers door if I had not seen him, even though my might was green. If some jerk wont let me on the Interstate I just drive down the shoulder and let the spray of debris convince them otherwise. Of course not on a bike, but slamming on the brakes on an approach ramp is the recipe for getting nailed in the arse.
regards
Mech
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