Is 140 Horsepower enough?

Enough vs. Adequate?

In my experience, the N1K has plenty. My FJR had plenty. My VFR had plenty. My Magna had plenty. My SV650 has plenty. Even my on Seca 600 had plenty.

The only bike that I found myself occasionally wanting more was the SV650. Having upgraded the suspension, I'd find myself bouncing off the RPM limiter in the fast (100+ mph) sweepers. Track days I have to use the gearbox for all it's worth.

What seems more important is how these bikes make power, not how much, and how well it is mated to the gearbox.

The FJR had a mountain of midrange torque I could usually leave in 2nd or 3rd through the twisties. Like the N1K, passing cars doesn't really need a downshift either. So in this case, more power simply means less footwork. And a more relaxed touring RPM.

The N1K has a nice big pile of torque in the middle RPM's and less weight to haul around, but gears 3,4,5 are too close together to really be usefull and again the power is mainly used to avoid shifting and riding in higher gears.

Both the N1K and FJR had decent power above 7k but both engines vibrate enough there to feel unsettled. Not the VFR800 (gen 5 .. no vtec). The VFR's engine is the best engine I have ever ridden. It is down on power compared to the N1K, but it has smooth, linear and useable power at every single RPM. It never complains or feels like it is at an awkward RPM. In my opinion, it is also one of the best sounding (and feeling) motors made. I just can't do the riding position anymore, and I would so love to buy it back from my brother and fix the ergo's.

Power is an insidious thing. Each of my bikes had more power than the last, none were inadequate, but eventually I got used to it, and then appreciated more.

Starting to ride in 1987 on a Yamaha 400, I gradually moved up to a 500, to a 650 and then the big jump to a 1200 Bandit in 1999.
Then I bought a VFR 800.
For all the reasons stated above regarding that smooth V4, I didn't really miss the extra 400cc. I certainly didn't miss the buzzy-ness of these Bandit.
And then I bought a ZX-9R and thus began my love affair with Kawasaki motorcycles.
From there a ZX-12R and finally not one, but two ZX-14s.
And now a Ninja 1000.
To me, this bike is what Honda should have done with the VFR, not the monstrosity that the 1200 represented.
Does it threaten to pull my arms out of their sockets like my 14 did?
No, but it's way more fun one twisties and the power is sufficient and much more manageable than my old bike.
I think Norskie said it well.
Just like you and I, bikes have their own personalities. Key is to match them up.

Cheers,

Rob

I thought about this again. I also thought about 1cobra saying its too much for the street<- instantly that devil on my shoulder launched into a troll war.. but I shut him up

Most modern bikes can hit 60 in about 3 seconds give or take, faster than that requires some good rider skills. The US national speed limits top out at around 70-75. With that said in about 4 seconds you are officially breaking the law and 140HP is enough.

However By this logic you could get almost any modern bike.

To be illogical (its not a big reach), you bought a bike called a Ninja! A bike that looks like it is breaking the speed limit with the kick stand down. In stock form it will pin 6th gear(152mph) in what 15-20 seconds ? That sounds pretty fast. But in 15-20 seconds you are done. Most people will go this fast less than a handful of times.. its pretty stupid... but its a Ninja! IMO a liter bike should feel like it is limitless, I highly recommend changing the gears to improve that on that 152 mph top speed, not that you need to, 160 or 170 is probably faster than you will want to go. You may still go 152 and tell your friends that you did it one time but its nice to say'.. and there was a lot left' Not sure if anyone else gets my point. I think its human nature to want more...