I have always argued that a small engine/hp does not necessarily mean a bike is slow. This bike proves it. My 1991 with 59hp and six gears will hang with any big bike when the road starts getting twisty. I have other bigger displacement bikes but the Bandit 400 with good sportbike tires is more like a track bike. You just have to learn how to keep the revs up around 9500+ and it will fly!