Posted by Masashi on October 09, 2000 at 21:55:19:
In Reply to: Re: Engine size and specs 400 versus 650 posted by Ken on October 08, 2000 at 04:27:44:
Greetings from Japan!
LS650 has 33ps/7500rpm, and LS400 24ps/7000rpm. In the beginning, both were sold in Japanese market at the same time, but LS650 was discontinued soon.
Over here it has been very difficult to get a motorcyle license over 400cc. The same skill as a police rider was required. Though I had ridden a motorcycle, I needed 2 years practice to pass the exam at that time. Most riders had lisence for under 400cc, so there should have been many LS400 owners in the past.
Those who got an unlimited motorcycle license tended to buy that of more displacement as the status symbol. A 750cc was most poplular then, so 650cc sounded too odd and only 33ps was not attractive to Japanese riders.
LS650 had been unpopular in Japan until Suzuki gave up selling in Japanese market. When I bought LS650 in '87, all my friends asked me why not buying a bike of 750cc or more. I replyed I just liked it. Of course, I like it and enjoy it still now.
Masashi