'79-'80 vs. 81- '84

[Oconner]

was wondering if the hp difference of about 6 hp in the older 79-80 r65s is noticeable? I have an '82 LS, its not gonna set any records at Bonneville but she handles like a modern sport bike in the twisties. Just wondering if anyone had ridden both and could compare.
Thanks

[Tony Smith]

was wondering if the hp difference of about 6 hp in the older 79-80 r65s is noticeable? I have an '82 LS, its not gonna set any records at Bonneville but she handles like a modern sport bike in the twisties. Just wondering if anyone had ridden both and could compare.
Thanks

The horsepower difference is around 5hp depending on the destination of the bike in question. You would probably notice the difference, but the thing you really notice is the difference in flywheel weight showing in the rate the later engine spins up and its greater willingness to rev.


Bluntly unless someone fits a early flywheel and clutch to a later engine (or vice versa) and rides them back to back, you will never know for sure how much difference you can "feel".

[montmil]

 Tony Smith [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif] ...and dat's da fact, Jack!

[Lucky_Lou]

I suppose it depends what you want from your bike, I have a 79 and my brother had a 82 I rode my brothers bike a few times and as I do not generally try to blast every where it made little difference to me. I have regularly ridden with friends who have modern bikes and kept up as long as they ride sensibly and don't get drawn into testosterone FTL fuelled stupidity, the handling on bends is as good as anything on the R65 (maybe due to the weight ? and low centre of gravity)   but if I were to get a younger model I would have to fit Clamshells as I think the plastic air filter is butt ugly......................
Lou

[thrang]

I've had both and other than the later model being more freely revving performance wise I never really noticed any difference. I do think with the dual brakes on the euro R65LS you feel more confident in pushing a little harder and faster because the brakes are noticeably better.  Although they will both sit quite happily at motorway speeds they are much happier on a nice curvy A road. As they both handle well (given their age) the better brakes do make the LS more fun on the Lakeland roads round me and there are not many 'off comers' on sports bikes who can keep on my LS's tail when I'm in a hurry.  

(Admittedly this is more down to local knowledge than performance as I used to go looking for Jap sports bikes when I was younger on my scruffy MZ 250 and blow them into the weeds... Ah the madness of youth!)