When more HP= quicker laps.

[chris_chops]

I think all of us at some time have wondered if more HP from our bike would drop our lap times.  I'd like to here testimony from all y'all on your experiences with this subject.  
    To clear things up, stick with testimony regarding additional HP to the same bike without any other major changes to the suspension, geometry, etc.  Somewhat of a "controlled" experiment.
    AND PLEASE, NO THEORIES :-X :-X, let's just look at TESTIMONIES.  Did more power make you faster or not?  Thanks,

Matt

[Speedballer347]

I am an inexperienced racer, so my .02 may not mean squat...but here it is.
2001gsxr600.

Installed Hindle pipe & PC3R....accellerated out of the corners faster and instantly lowered lap times.  Made passing people MUCH easier too.

Friday trackday, 525 binded-up, worn-out chain.
Saturday practice, new 520 chain & sprockets.  Instantly 'felt' the dif, and again accellerated out of the corners faster.

If HP don't matter, why does 'everyone' spend big $$$ on SS motors, valve-jobs, 520's, etc.
Why do some people cheat?
If speed don't matter, why even 'tuck in' behind the fairing?

Also, how many times have ya'll been 'stuck' behind a slightly slower rider w/ a faster bike?
Would you have been 'stuck' if his bike wasn't faster?

IMHO....more HP makes it easier to go faster and especially pass people you are dicing with.

I have had conversations w/ many of the top-placing experts, and they usually say something like "so & so is fast....but his bike is faster than mine.  If mine was as fast, I would have beat so & so"  Considering they are all at about the same skill level, I believe this.

I am sure everyone here is gonna disagree w/ me...and tell me why I am wrong :P

[rick]

Horsepower helps compensate for shortages in your skillset for sure! It'll also help in the start and while passing.

Did my laptimes improve with more horsepower? Hell yes.
Are there people with less horsepower that are still faster than me? Double hell yes.

--
Q: "What's the one thing I can put on my bike that'll make it faster?"
A: "Valentino Rossi"

[DiDiMaO]

I think this a very interesting subject.  Last year I raced a '99 Ducati 900SS in the supertwins class for a few races.  I'm going against guys running RC51's, 996/8's and they are pushing huge horsepower compared to my cheesy 80+.  But, what I noticed was the guys I was dicing with (AMs) weren't any faster in the turns.  They just had more under their butts in the straights and would take off.  This year I decided to run a '02 ZX6R mostly stock.  Has more HP than the Duc, but I miss that torque on the bottom end.  I guess more HP would drop lap times depending on your skill level and experience and the track your racing on.  If you know the track, your bike well and you work on your weakness I believe that would drop your lap times.  Just my $.02

[TZDeSioux]

Horsepower does make you go faster! When I was riding a Honda NSR500V which made roughly 150 horsepower... I would ride my ass off and do 1:59.48's at Assen. Once I got the A-Kit parts from HRC the bike made close to 170 horsepower. I was able to circulate Assen at 1:58.43. Indeed the horsepower made me go faster. That's a second difference folks. Throughout the course of a race, that could mean the difference of 21 seconds.

[Jeff]

The real question is "What's it worth?"

If you've got the cash to build a high HP motor AND tune the chassis/suspension correctly AND attend racing schools AND ride every available track day, etc I'd say by all means Go for it!

However, since most of us are on a budget, you have to evaluate where you're going to get the best bang for your buck.

Last year, I was opposed to dropping $1k on suspension and related suspension tuning.  It's the best money I've ever spent.

That $1k stuffed into 5 more HP wouldn't have done me anything but put me on the ground quicker.

Suspension first
Track time second
Schools third
Engine fourth

Of course, there's little stuff in between those 4 categories, but that's pretty much where my money goes...

[Speedballer347]

Good point about the suspension, but let's remember...the Q was "will more HP make you faster" not suspension vs HP.

I think everyone that 'rolls' upfront (in am/ex repectively) pretty much has their suspension modded and/or sorted out.

Taking a competitively handling bike...all other things being equal...will more HP/accelleration get that bike around the track faster?
I say yes, and don't understand how it couldn't.

[Jeff]

okay.  All other things being equal, increased HP will make you faster to a point.

There will come a point where your times will peak at your abilities and HP will do you no more good.

Problem being, most people's ability is below the HP that their current bike will offer...

[Chef]

okay.  

There will come a point where your times will peak at your abilities and HP will do you no more good.


Problem being, most people's ability is below the HP that their current bike will offer...

think it could be argued that for "everyone"

people's ability is below the HP that their current bike will offer.....

and totaly bike ability ???

 *** but my time improved with HP ****** (f2 to f4, and f4 stock to 'ss' head)

**but as new as i am, i shouldnt speak, cuz my ability is still improving **
<i havent posted a "fast" lap yet>

Ike

[MELK-MAN]

at JenningsGP, Steve Rapp recently set 2 records, 1 on the factory gsxr600, then again on the gsxr1000. 1 second faster with the big bike. However... the record was then lowered AGAIN by 1 second by a 250.. so go figure.. lots of hp can make you faster but the 250 is a small nimble bike. just something for thought..

[Super_KC124]

Horsepower does make you go faster! When I was riding a Honda NSR500V which made roughly 150 horsepower... I would ride my ass off and do 1:59.48's at Assen. Once I got the A-Kit parts from HRC the bike made close to 170 horsepower. I was able to circulate Assen at 1:58.43. Indeed the horsepower made me go faster. That's a second difference folks. Throughout the course of a race, that could mean the difference of 21 seconds.

You are my hero! Unless your talking Moto GP. >:( :P

[chris_chops]

Taking a competitively handling bike...all other things being equal...will more HP/accelleration get that bike around the track faster?
I say yes, and don't understand how it couldn't.

I agree, once you have the bike set and you are comfortable and consistent with it, your lap times should drop with more power.  It might not happen right away.  Keep the testimonies coming everybody, then we can debate theories later.