Having cruised at 130mph + on big Japanese sports tourers for many years, the strangest thing is, when you drop down to 70 (not to get busted), it feels so slow that you could get off and run along side it.

I wish I knew more about psychology to understand how the mind works and re-adjusts in this manner.

What's the aerodynamic problem that causes the instability? Those bikes and the BMWs etc, have fairings that pin them down and hold them to the ground. They feel like they are on rails.

Or is it the big fat high profile tyres? Those bikes use low profile ones?

Thinking now, I used to kick the *** of a big Mercedes sedan with fat, high profile tyres and it wandered around at high speeds too. May be there's the problem and the solution and part of why the new bikes feel more planted?

 

Don't know the top speed, never wrung it out, probably never will,
did bring it up to 115 with me and the wife just yesterday, the "what ifs" start going through my head.

 

Yeah. Its a dumb thing to do but, we all want to know in the back of our minds.

 

100% correct Sir Brown. I learned this trick long ago from a pilot buddy. Makes a huge difference.

 

I'll never do that with my wife on the back. 90 that's it. Alone is a different story. Up Here a few weeks ago this guys was going to fast with his wife on the the back and hit the gaurd rail. She was ejected and died, he didn't but is now facing manslaughter charges. Don't risk your wife it ain't cool....

 

Haven't pushed my gal past 90.

 

My gal burned her leg, got the "biker chick scar" on her right calf in 1988 and hasn't been on since.

I often wish she'd ride with me but then I think of our little kids and I'm kind of glad she doesn't. Maybe someday when the kids are self sufficient I can enjoy life like Sir Brown and his wife. We both love to travel via car so perhaps I can get her on two wheels yet.

 

I guess she shouldn't have rode in our 100+mph tunnel boat all those years either.

She was the one who said "get em" when a friend blew by us.

She won't hesitate to deliver a kidney punch if she thinks I'm out of line.

She'll fuss if I don't warn her before leaving the watering hole on one wheel, says she looks stupid trying to hold on if she's not ready.

I have a great passenger, can't tell she's back there.

She loves the rush as much as I do.

 

Yep, not to mention ya have a fine bike too.

 

This is quite true. I have a Nolan 1/2 helmet and it has a zip out collar and padded leather in the webbing of the chin strap to completely shield my ears. Works great... Also works on the wifey too.....