My spare is an Aprilia tuono rsv 4 Aprc - 158 bhp - about five times the
power to weight ratio though not the same noise - as Paul Newman answered
to the sweetest thing in life - the sound of a V8 -although I personally
prefer a Merlin! Was passing the end of Southends runway as the memorial
flight lifted off. Bristol's roof open. The spit and hurricane passed 50 ft
above my head and did an orbit joining up with the Lanc. Ecstasy and legal
too.
Confession, in that bikes were only really ever a means of transport for me,
in the days before I could afford to run a car. The old brit bikes weren't
that bad, but no fun in the dead of winter at -5C, Oxford to Portsmouth and
layers of newspaper down the front of the Belstaff. Little brother still
restores bikes though and has for years.
The Merlin is truly art in metal, with a glorious sound. Last heard one
at Wycombe, when a Spit flew over the field at low altitude. Instantly
smitten.
As for V8's, how about that Shelby GT390 in Bullet driving round the car
park at little more than idle rpm, like a spring poised for action. Boys
toys indeed.
The engine is the heart and soul of any vehicle
...