top speed
Novice
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Pace, Florida
Back in the early 20's had a ZX7 Ninja that I took to 155. Have had my Vette to 160. My Softail has seen 70 once for a second. Usually top speed is 60-65 tho. I guess not wearing a helmet makes one slow down a tad. That or I'm getting older.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
Top end on my 1997 Evo-Powered Heritage Springer is 114 mph, and that's all I'll get out of it no matter if I'm in 5th or 6th gear. The bike actually handles fine at that speed, really no big deal.
On the freeways my typical cruise speeds are between 75 - 85 mph. There's a stretch of Interstate 10, between Palm Springs and beyond Indio, CA where the flow of traffic is typically cruising 85 to 90 mph. Whether you think those speeds are dangerous or not, you'll be a road hazard doing 65 to 70 mph.
These HD's today are built for much higher speeds then they were 25 years ago, and they do just fine at it.
On the freeways my typical cruise speeds are between 75 - 85 mph. There's a stretch of Interstate 10, between Palm Springs and beyond Indio, CA where the flow of traffic is typically cruising 85 to 90 mph. Whether you think those speeds are dangerous or not, you'll be a road hazard doing 65 to 70 mph.
These HD's today are built for much higher speeds then they were 25 years ago, and they do just fine at it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 918
Likes: 3
From: England
I've taken my stock Fat Boy up to about 115 a few times and it didn't seem to have a lot left. I don't normally ride it much above 80 because I don't have a screen and it gets uncomfortable after a while.
I had a Yamaha XJR1300 a couple of years ago. The top speed was around 145 and I took it up to about 135 a couple of times. The bike felt like it would do it all day but my mind just doesn't work that fast anymore so I didn't feel safe. That was a great bike, it had as much torque as my Fat Boy with twice the horsepower and it was 30% lighter.
I had a Yamaha XJR1300 a couple of years ago. The top speed was around 145 and I took it up to about 135 a couple of times. The bike felt like it would do it all day but my mind just doesn't work that fast anymore so I didn't feel safe. That was a great bike, it had as much torque as my Fat Boy with twice the horsepower and it was 30% lighter.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 210
Likes: 3
Don't get me wrong though, that's not where I ride normally, quite happy at legal speeds, plus the fact that the roads here are pretty gnarly!
Last edited by WAhog; Aug 22, 2011 at 05:47 PM.
I've seen 110 once or twice for a minute or two at a time, but that is about all she's good for.
I was on flat strait road with lots of visibility the last time I did it - the bike was totally stable and I was comfortable, just out of juice on the go switch.
I'm still all stock though - I think opening the exhaust/intake, maybe a hotter cam and I could see 115 - 120, but I don't think its healthy for these V twins to spend much time there.
I was on flat strait road with lots of visibility the last time I did it - the bike was totally stable and I was comfortable, just out of juice on the go switch.
I'm still all stock though - I think opening the exhaust/intake, maybe a hotter cam and I could see 115 - 120, but I don't think its healthy for these V twins to spend much time there.
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I don't look @ the speedo when I'm rockin it but I had my 08 NT out a couple weeks ago, my buddy was on his hyabusa, sayz I was doin 185+ kmh as he wuz followin me, he's a novice rider n was a little leary about goin fast, I still had throttle left 
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
The best I did was just over 105 with plenty of throttle left, thats good for me and feel no need to revisit that for a while. I just love to cruise the back roads, not a fan of the interstates that much. I only use them when I need to. I could care less what the top speed is on anything today, back in my 20's I used to drive many times at 120+ in my cars and bikes. I'm still alive and want to for a little longer