What's your favorite speed?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
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From: Top of Texas
RE: What's your favorite speed?
I'd have to say 50 mph in 5th gear -
In our neck of the woods, one NEVER cruises country roads at dusk ifit can be avoided -we have giant, corn-fed deer andwild turkeys thatown the roads when the sun is going down...Was riding home on my gravel road last Sunday and was nearly broad sided by a Turkey Vulture - I got home and had to check my shorts
In our neck of the woods, one NEVER cruises country roads at dusk ifit can be avoided -we have giant, corn-fed deer andwild turkeys thatown the roads when the sun is going down...Was riding home on my gravel road last Sunday and was nearly broad sided by a Turkey Vulture - I got home and had to check my shorts
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,900
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From: Backwoods of NH
RE: What's your favorite speed?
Hmmm... good one - interesting question that I hadn't really thought about before - but guess I have to admit it's the acceleration going up through the gears to 40-50 mph that gives me the biggest smiles, but for steady state cruising, I'd have to say flying down back roads at 40-50 mph. Getting too much wind noise at 60 and above to be real fun, but then we don't have any helmet laws in NH! Just got some ear plugs, so maybe things will change now.
Chip
Chip
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RE: What's your favorite speed?
ORIGINAL: cadillac
warren888
On the highway, right around 70... when the bike is revving around 2900 in 6th gear and it's purring.
Ive seen similar posts about this and wondered. My 2000 FXDS is turning 3000 rpm at 70 mph. And you are right about the purring.. what a groove! But I would have thought the difference between a 6 speed and 5 speed would be greater. Internally by bike engine is factory.. just added Thunderheader and SE Stage 1 kit. Dont mean to hijack the thread but I was just wondering.
bob
ps sorry about the double posts.. NEVER try to post with a brand new beta of a browser!
warren888
On the highway, right around 70... when the bike is revving around 2900 in 6th gear and it's purring.
Ive seen similar posts about this and wondered. My 2000 FXDS is turning 3000 rpm at 70 mph. And you are right about the purring.. what a groove! But I would have thought the difference between a 6 speed and 5 speed would be greater. Internally by bike engine is factory.. just added Thunderheader and SE Stage 1 kit. Dont mean to hijack the thread but I was just wondering.
bob
ps sorry about the double posts.. NEVER try to post with a brand new beta of a browser!
I keep trying to go 40-50 mph on country back roads, here in VA. The bike likes 55-75+.
The cages seem to like 60+, so I guess I am just staying out of their way.
Some of the real winding roads require 45 and less, and they are fun.
Funny how 15 mph is just fine when I end up on a gravel road.
SkyLine Drive is just perfect at 35-40 mph (35 mph speed limit).
The 6 speed has no problem doing well over 100 mph in 5th gear, and just cruising in 6th at 120.
Biggest problem at those speeds is keeping the big feet on the pegs.
I think I would have to say my favorite speed is 60-80 mph. When nobody is looking on good 4 lanes more like 90-110 mph. ..... Talk about wind in the face!!!!
DougJ
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Joined: Apr 2006
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RE: What's your favorite speed?
This is a great thread. I would have thought that everyone would have gone for the really high speeds. But, not so. I live in a county in Washington where all county roads have a max of 50 mph. That translates to a riding speed of about 55 which allows fifth gear most times, and sixth going down hill. Relaxed riding and plenty of tight corners to make it interesting. And, sometimes, it is great to hit the freeway, or a neighboring state, and crank it up to about 75 where the Dyna feels just great to me. I know this is pretty slow for some riders but you have to adapt to where you live. Or, get tickets, and I have also tried this route.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Orange County, CA
RE: What's your favorite speed?
ORIGINAL: cadillac
Ive seen similar posts about this and wondered. My 2000 FXDS is turning 3000 rpm at 70 mph. And you are right about the purring.. what a groove! But I would have thought the difference between a 6 speed and 5 speed would be greater. Internally by bike engine is factory.. just added Thunderheader and SE Stage 1 kit. Dont mean to hijack the thread but I was just wondering.
bob
Ive seen similar posts about this and wondered. My 2000 FXDS is turning 3000 rpm at 70 mph. And you are right about the purring.. what a groove! But I would have thought the difference between a 6 speed and 5 speed would be greater. Internally by bike engine is factory.. just added Thunderheader and SE Stage 1 kit. Dont mean to hijack the thread but I was just wondering.
bob
Here is the math (but it really depends on your particular tire size)
On both '06 and '07, stock rear tire is 160/70. That means 160 mm tread width, and sidewall is 70% of treadwidth.
That means 16" rear wheel with tire has an actual diameter of 24.82 inches (16+ sidewall*2) ... and sidewall = 160*0.7/25.4 (convert mm to inches)
Now, overall drive ratio of highest gearare as follows (according to other posts on the forums):
2005 (5th) = 3.15
2006 (6th) = 2.96
2007 (6th) = 2.79
If you do the math - circumference of tire = pi * D = 3.14 * 24.82 inches = 77.97 inches
At 70 mph = 70*5280*12 = 4435200 inches per hour
That translates into 4435200 / 77.97 = 56883 revolutions per hour, or 948 revolutions per minute
However, 05 had a 150/80 tire I believe (different circumference).
Given the overall drive ratios above and the different tire sizes, that means the following RPM level at 70 mph for different years
2005: 2912 (with 150/80 tire)
2006: 2806 (with 160/70 tire)
2007: 2645 (with 160/70 tire)
BUt ... after all of this, was just looking at the Dunlop web site.
They claim: 150/80 tire is 25.25 inches in diameter
160/70 tire is 25.80 inches in diameter (which doesn't make sense to me)
If you use these number, then RPM@70 mphare:
2005: 2935 (with 150/80 tire)
2006: 2700(with 160/70 tire)
2007: 2544 (with 160/70 tire)
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 27
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From: Sedro Woolley, Wa.
RE: What's your favorite speed?
I am a new rider (1 month on a Super glide) and I usually ride to work and home, about 30 miles 1 way. I have been up and down the freeways and back roads as well. I have to say that I am most definitly a 40 -45 MPH guy. I love the feel of the Glide as she rolls along the back roads and gentle curves. I have started to leave a bit earlier to work so that I can "cruise" to work.
Good question
Good question