How to make a lighter Tenere 700

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

It's easy....just apply money, and carbon-fibre...

[Crossrutted]

So much for all the T7 owners claiming that "their bike" is ridden by Pol Tarres!

All the important parts have been changed or modified

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

I think the original PT bike was much closer to stock...some items on that bike (suspension?) may be heavier than stock, but the big saving seems to be ditching the road lighting and instrumentation, and changing the battery and exhaust. The narrow rear rim and tyre probably help too, as well as making it more 'off-roady'.
Even so, 178 kg is still quite a lump for doing what he does on it.

[Crossrutted]

Even so, 178 kg is still quite a lump for doing what he does on it.

Indeed, but being a 7' tall riding god helps too!

[garyboy]

Gravity, speed, power, wind resistance are interesting in their interaction. Any bike, to do 180mph for instance, needs a heavy engine, frame etc to overcome resistance from wind gravity mass etc.
To get to say 200 mph could need double those power necessities due to the inverse square law of momentum, or something like that lol.
So bike designers choose an optimum combination of factors .. aimed at a target cost audience.

So to improve on say performance or power or looks,.. we invented the aftermarket necessity lol. Where we think we are personalising and improving a bike .. at great cost to ourselves... but for actually little gain.

Except for our vanity and entertainment lol.

[garyboy]

The core element in determining the power of a bike is .. surprise surprise .. the engine.
More power in a petrol engine means a bigger capacity and so a bigger weight.
Obvious?
Well what if you change the engine materials? .. lighter stronger ..
but more expensive .. so again, the manufacturers have made an optimal cost choice.

A bigger heavier engine needs a bigger heavier frame .. and chain.. and wheels and brakes etc. .. and so an even more more need for more power .. but other power options may be available. that reduce the need for more weight??

[garyboy]

T7 .. at a guess I would say these (superb) guys have spent 10-20,000 £ on their work, not counting their valuable time, to get an extra 6%? In power to weight ratio? With a reduction of 20kg? But better road holding and handling.

But we'll worth the effort when their livelihood is based on cutting edge performance at a high level.

Me .. I'll stick to stock, thanks lol

[garyboy]

Yup ... its simple Trussonomics..


If you want more growth .. in power, p/w ratio, performance, etc .. aim at the retail targets of starting round £200,000 ..

.. but the Markets won't allow you .. lol

[catcitrus]

My son's 1981 R80 G/S is 168kg dry--so much for progress?

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

and it has shaft drive

progress????