Hi there, my first post and I am currently looking to purchase a 7-style kit probably an Indy.
I just wondered if anybody could offer some advice regarding driving a Bike Engined Car on the road?
Have read differing views, many saying that unless you are driving them flat out, ie at track days, they are not very pleasant.
Whilst I may do the odd track day eventually, the main use of the car is going to be weekend road driving and maybe the odd trip to France.
Would a BEC be unsuitable for this or would I be better with a Zetec etc? I really like the concept, but want to be clear about most suitable engine
before I decide which kit to go for.
Thanks for any help/ advice.
Ben
They are ok on longer journeys, but less than good on motorways as the constant drone annoys. Also, you won't get too far on a tank of fuel, £18 lasts me roughly 100 miles. If yoiu plan to do lots touring, I'd get a car engine.
Becs can be driven slowly, and will happily tootle about, if you can restrain yourself that is.
trouble is they beg to be thrashed, not only that, they tend to be more bare and stripped down than Cecs i.e no seat padding or windscreen etc. I know
peeps on here have done long trips in them, Le-mans and such, but for my money a Cec is a much better prospect as an all rounder. I know i would use
mine more than i do if it was car powered. I suggest you blag a ride in each before you decide.
Al.
IMO if you're going to be driving to France, unless you're going to be stopping every 30 minutes for ear rest or you live pretty much on the
south coast go Car Engine.
The occasional trackday/weekend and long cruise couldn't be further apart. The BEC option is not fun for more than 50 miles IMHO. Unless
you're going to put reverse onto a BEC it could get quite laborious even dangerous on a cruise ship or the like.
Our BEC ZX12R can be a lazy but powerful engine with no rev band, more a constant predictable surge from low down to high up the rev range, unlike an
R1, 'blade, ZX9 et al. It's easy to drive (for a BEC) with plenty of torque but BEC's are high revving at cruising speeds (read loud!)
around 70's mph.
BEC's are great fun at any speed as they are light and chuckable, fast and loud. But they don't all have to be raced to make them
drivable.
All IMO - Steve
[Edited on 24-8-06 by Hellfire]
Leman and back no probs with crash helmet and earplugs - all part of the fun. Cruising 60-70 off the motorways great - On them (as has been said) bit
of a noisy drone/headache.
IMHO - wasn't too bad 
4 car convoy, 3 BECs & cateringvan.
Admittedly I was a bit envious of the two with full screens, and even the 4th had a modified deflector - They could catch the sun!
Be nice to get a screen and wet weather gear sorted for next year.
[Edited on 24/8/06 by skidude88]
i find mine fine on the motorway, but admittedly i havent travelled big distances yet. Thats a zx9 with a carbon exhaust
I don't mind longer journeys but I do avoid motorways. The engine noise is fantastic if accelerating or decelerating but annoying if just at a constant pitch. Definatly a car for twisty roads and not a motorway cruiser.
you need to try one really but wether anyone will let you is another matter,also if you want to carry passengers the extra weight does tell in a bec compared to a cec.
If it's mainly for long journeys and such like go for a CEC....my busa pulls from low down no worries so that's not a problem but I'm
not keen on motorway driving. The thing with a BEC is that every journey feels like a race - the car encourages you to be a loony!!
Rich.
quote:
the car encourages you to be a loony
I find it very hard to drive at a steady pace anywhere. It's far too easy to look at the throttle pedal and whooooooosh,
off you go. Even in 6th.
Thanks for all the really helpful replies, much appreciated.
Would a full screen + wipers etc add significant weight to a BEC?
Buy a BEC, simple as that! Any car with a loud exhaust and induction will drone at speed - even a Zetec doing 70-80 at 4 grand will drone.
Any seven is painful on a motorway, not just a BEC, so the best bit of advice there is to avoid them! If you can't, wear a helmet and ear plugs
(which I do most of the time anyway as the screen and doors are now off for good) as it makes a hell of a difference.
Try a BEC and bear in mind that it's not a Mondeo, but neither is a CEC. I can guarantee that long-term you'll realise that a BEC is the
best option for all-round fun and giggles!
quote:
Originally posted by Ben P
Thanks for all the really helpful replies, much appreciated.
Would a full screen + wipers etc add significant weight to a BEC?