Speed
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 20
From: Shamokin, PA
I haven't gotten much above 100mph. The bike starts to lose it umph at that speed. It still has a little room to extend above that but it isn't much. A 1200 starts to lose its hard acceleration around 90 or so.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco - Bay Area, CA
I have a windshield and won't ride w/out it! When we cruise on the highway we roll at about 75/80....if we go any slower, they'll run us over. My nightster doesn't like to go slow (lots of temptation)! I've taken it up to almost 95 then realized...OH DAMN - if I get caught potential issues may include my insurance hitting the roof, possibly impound, jail time, serious injuries, etc. Got my reality check QUICK!
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
Big Speed
When I got my bike I took It to 90 without my quarter fairing,,
BTW that was my very first merge on the superslab in over 20 years,,
I looked over my shoulder mid ramp and rolled the power on.
when I got up top I was wondering why the traffic all slowed down, I was
way out front,,then I looked down at the speedo,,,92 mph,,,
Oh ****,,this Love affair was gonna be a long one,,
I had found the perfect bike for me XDXD
Didn't like the wind blast,,quarter fairing solved that.
The fork brace was a must have,,made the bike stable as hell above 60
That and setting proper "Sag" plus finding the right tire pressure
gave me a very stable ride,,been to 104 mph,,love it
10% rule on the Superslab for me,,as most police don't stop you down
here In florida unless your 10% or more above the speed limit.
My bike turns 3,500 rpm at 75 mph and that Is my sweet spot.
Roadsters Rawk XD
BTW that was my very first merge on the superslab in over 20 years,,
I looked over my shoulder mid ramp and rolled the power on.
when I got up top I was wondering why the traffic all slowed down, I was
way out front,,then I looked down at the speedo,,,92 mph,,,
Oh ****,,this Love affair was gonna be a long one,,
I had found the perfect bike for me XDXD
Didn't like the wind blast,,quarter fairing solved that.
The fork brace was a must have,,made the bike stable as hell above 60
That and setting proper "Sag" plus finding the right tire pressure
gave me a very stable ride,,been to 104 mph,,love it
10% rule on the Superslab for me,,as most police don't stop you down
here In florida unless your 10% or more above the speed limit.
My bike turns 3,500 rpm at 75 mph and that Is my sweet spot.
Roadsters Rawk XD
Last edited by Osco; May 10, 2011 at 03:04 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
I'm new to HD's and thie sportster, used to ride a Goldwing and Kawasaki GPz's. Anyhow, the sporty feels nice around 80. I've taken it to 110 once just to see if she would do it. But really they feel best around 70 to 80, that's what we average on runs to San Deigo.
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
Drop Into 4th gear and If ya got a tach take her to 4,200 rpms..
Cause thats where the 883 revs at 75.
4,200 rpms In 5th onna 1200 Is over 90 mph
The 1200's got lungs XD
The second chart below Is the 1200
Last edited by Osco; May 10, 2011 at 09:12 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 1
From: MCALLEN ,TX
ive taken my bike 105+ once or twice when the highway was empty. I'm a pretty big guy so i was surprised that it got there that quickly...It had more room to go but I pussed out and laid off..
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
is around. Things get real busy when the tach Is gettin close to 5,000
in Top gear.
"Pussin Out",,,nothing wrong with havin common sense,,smart rider you are XD
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Washington
I think the moral of the story here is "it depends"
883 vs 1200...performance mods...windshield...fork brace...helmet...seat...and most importantly comfort level
I'm on a Forty-Eight that's pulling 78 HP/77.6 ft-lb and they come with a fork brace. I don't have a windshield but I wear a full face. Breaking 100 is not hard and I've taken it up to 115+ a few times. Usually I run out of road either from a turn or I couldn't see far enough for speed traps. We'll see how the new seat I'm getting changes things.
If you are forever comfortable cruising at those speeds then you will be much better off. I'd prefer if I didn't feel the need to go fast every once and a while.
883 vs 1200...performance mods...windshield...fork brace...helmet...seat...and most importantly comfort level
I'm on a Forty-Eight that's pulling 78 HP/77.6 ft-lb and they come with a fork brace. I don't have a windshield but I wear a full face. Breaking 100 is not hard and I've taken it up to 115+ a few times. Usually I run out of road either from a turn or I couldn't see far enough for speed traps. We'll see how the new seat I'm getting changes things.
If you are forever comfortable cruising at those speeds then you will be much better off. I'd prefer if I didn't feel the need to go fast every once and a while.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 726
Likes: 2
From: Charleston, SC
My Sporty is pretty stable up to 105, I usually don't ride that fast. At that speed it still had plenty of power, I didn't trust the 39mm shocks at speeds much higher though. The bike's pretty comfortable at 70 and below. Windsheilds and full face helmets in the summer are for geezers. Build up the strength in your abdominal muscles and drop the hammer.