Horsepower for Fiddle III 200i

[yodaismycopilot]

Website says 11.8 HP. I'm a novice looking for a first bike. Is it just me or does 11.8 HP seem a tad low for 169cc?

[redridinghood]

So long as you're comparing apples to apples, the HP numbers of the 2 valve 169cc engine aren't low...

...You may have noticed the SYM HD 200 (171cc) has 15.2 HP, but it has a 4 valve cylinder head

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PXD_AvKbCMg

Honda makes a motorcycle called the VFR800 and it uses a 'stone age' version of 'VTEC' (Honda's name for variable valve timing) where at lower RPM, 2 of the 4 valves for each cylinder remain closed (effectively making the engine a 2 valves per cylinder design)... Enjoy your 2 valve cylinder head advantage, for its rocket off the line, starts...😜

...Okay, so we know a small displacement engine with a CVT, spends its life screaming at high RPM...

Upon further examination of the video title 'DOHC vs OHV' (as if DOHC automatically means 4 valve heads...🙃)  the Engineering Explained guy posted, I have to add this  http://www.chinonthetank.com/2012/12/how-cb450-torsion-bars-work/ DOHC with 2 valve heads...😉 But what really made this engine unique is the way the valves get closed.. 🙄  Take that, Ducati! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ocfIYUc5bpU

Taking engines to thermonuclear proportions, this was Honda's attempt to compete against 2 stroke racing engines, after they were denied a bend in the rules to make a 4 stroke 500cc V8... http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-only-oval-piston-dual-con-rod.html

[Tromper]

Website says 11.8 HP. I'm a novice looking for a first bike. Is it just me or does 11.8 HP seem a tad low for 169cc?

The simple answer is "No".  That's about right for the technology being used. 
Really even on the pretty good side of things.  Since those have FI too so your MPG should be noticeably better than my old S200 that used similar tech & displacement with a carb.
Should be good for 60-65ish mph @ STP in the flats in the real world depending on a few factors.
Probably a bit better.  Might be improved by using Dr. Pulley's or different rollers, but probably not. SYM sets things up pretty good from the factory IMHO.

https://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/others/2015-2018-sym-fiddle-iii-200i-ar176190.html
Pretty straightforward review. Really I think they're OK scoots if you're doing the small wheeled retro look and don't want to pay for a Ve$$pa.

Cheers
Tromper

[yodaismycopilot]

So long as you're comparing apples to apples, the HP numbers of the 2 valve 169cc engine aren't low...

...You may have noticed the SYM HD 200 (171cc) has 15.2 HP, but it has a 4 valve cylinder head

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PXD_AvKbCMg

Honda makes a motorcycle called the VFR800 and it uses a 'stone age' version of 'VTEC' (Honda's name for variable valve timing) where at lower RPM, 2 of the 4 valves for each cylinder remain closed (effectively making the engine a 2 valves per cylinder design)... Enjoy your 2 valve cylinder head advantage, for its rocket off the line, starts...😜

...Okay, so we know a small displacement engine with a CVT, spends its life screaming at high RPM...

Upon further examination of the video title 'DOHC vs OHV' (as if DOHC automatically means 4 valve heads...🙃)  the Engineering Explained guy posted, I have to add this  http://www.chinonthetank.com/2012/12/how-cb450-torsion-bars-work/ DOHC with 2 valve heads...😉 But what really made this engine unique is the way the valves get closed.. 🙄  Take that, Ducati! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ocfIYUc5bpU

Taking engines to thermonuclear proportions, this was Honda's attempt to compete against 2 stroke racing engines, after they were denied a bend in the rules to make a 4 stroke 500cc V8... http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-only-oval-piston-dual-con-rod.html

Thank you!

[yodaismycopilot]

Website says 11.8 HP. I'm a novice looking for a first bike. Is it just me or does 11.8 HP seem a tad low for 169cc?

The simple answer is "No".  That's about right for the technology being used. 
Really even on the pretty good side of things.  Since those have FI too so your MPG should be noticeably better than my old S200 that used similar tech & displacement with a carb.
Should be good for 60-65ish mph @ STP in the flats in the real world depending on a few factors.
Probably a bit better.  Might be improved by using Dr. Pulley's or different rollers, but probably not. SYM sets things up pretty good from the factory IMHO.

https://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/others/2015-2018-sym-fiddle-iii-200i-ar176190.html
Pretty straightforward review. Really I think they're OK scoots if you're doing the small wheeled retro look and don't want to pay for a Ve$$pa.

Cheers
Tromper

Thank you!