torque is real. measurement of a force....hp is a calculated unit of work in other words you can have hp without torque. **** good spread sheet too. can't argue with numbers.
I figured you folks should be equally miserable,
All that spread sheet does is explain why you accelerate faster in a lower gear. It does nothing to explain what horsepower means or the "horsepower vs torque" debate (which is a meaningless and pointless debate in my opinion).It's a beautiful day and I'm stuck off the bike with a bad cold. I figured you folks should be equally miserable, so I decided to send this link.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pBCH2ClzmrpkZ6JigLdoxHA&hl=en#
The torque vs. horsepower debate is a common one. I think this simple sheet should clarify the issue.
This is where the confusion lies. People who don't have an understanding of the two measurements (torque and horsepower) argue against each other without really understanding either.So if the argument is that HP is what accelerates the vehicle, the problem is to explain why the rear wheel horsepower will always equal the engine horsepower, even in different gears.
For example...
Two rowers in separate canoes: they each can apply the same amount of torque. When they paddle once, the canoes (assuming they are equal) accelerate to the same speed. This is an example of an applied force/torque.
Now imagine the the two rowers apply equally powerful paddle strokes, but one applies them more often. Which one will experience the most acceleration over a period of time? Now you've added the element of time. This is an extremely simple example of horsepower.
Randy,my example would be different
2 canoes, same size, but one has bigger paddles, the other paddles faster
the one with bigger paddles will accelerate faster to its top speed even thouugh the one with smaller paddles might paddle fast enuf to eventually attain a faster speed (more horsepower, less torque)
You changed two variables at once, so it's not possible to come to that conclusion conceptually.my example would be different
2 canoes, same size, but one has bigger paddles, the other paddles faster
the one with bigger paddles will accelerate faster to its top speed even thouugh the one with smaller paddles might paddle fast enuf to eventually attain a faster speed (more horsepower, less torque)
its only cause the way are geared, torque they put to the rear wheel is higher even though the engine may be putting out less torqueRandy,
That's not a good analogy for bikes or cars. A bike with more HP will accelerate harder, even if it has less torque. That's why 600cc I-4s accelerate harder at every speed than the SV650, even though their torque is no higher.