What is Your Sustained Highway Speed?
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 184
Likes: 118
From: Tampa
If I am by myself, on the highway, I will run as fast as cruise control will let me set it, assuming traffic is cooperating. But as someone mentioned, Gas mileage goes into the toilet with the 131ci. at that pace.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 605
Likes: 313
From: Colorado
85 on interstate highways. Whatever traffic will allow everywhere else.
None of that applies to the bike in my signature.
I used to race (legally) in the liter-bike class when stationed in CA 40 tears ago. 1983 Suzuki 1100ES. (Had a Harley in the garage too) Still can't get that out of my system. I've had this one up to 141 on a wide open interstate. You can see forever in Colorado, so cops don't have much place to hide on the plains. Only done rarely, with no traffic in sight and no cross winds. No death wish here.
None of that applies to the bike in my signature.
I used to race (legally) in the liter-bike class when stationed in CA 40 tears ago. 1983 Suzuki 1100ES. (Had a Harley in the garage too) Still can't get that out of my system. I've had this one up to 141 on a wide open interstate. You can see forever in Colorado, so cops don't have much place to hide on the plains. Only done rarely, with no traffic in sight and no cross winds. No death wish here.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
This is gonna sound lame but after 300k miles, its about the ride not the eta. I never went blistering but all I will say is I ride comfortable for the conditions and over 85 is a rarity. When I lived in FtW-TX, once out of town, I rode way faster than when in the north east. My riding posse in Texas, we went to NOLA, Memphis, Nashville, AZ, NM, Las Vegas, Omaha, etc and always rode at a brisk but comfortable pace - lets say 75 to 80. My Jersey crew, It's hard getting over 75.. These are all touring sleds, mainly HD but have/had a few BMWs in there...
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 245
Likes: 211
From: TX
I've never done more than 5 over there, either. I was giving a contrasting example of highly ideal conditions to do 100+ vs the nightmare scenario that the OP described.
I did buy a nice liter sport touring bike and tried it out, but ultimately the ergo was not enjoyable. Ended up selling it less than a year later.
I'll take my not-particularly-fast luxury scooter every single time.
I did buy a nice liter sport touring bike and tried it out, but ultimately the ergo was not enjoyable. Ended up selling it less than a year later.
I'll take my not-particularly-fast luxury scooter every single time.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 293
Likes: 207
From: California
Like some others already said, 3k rpm's on interstate or ~78 mph, but traffic dictates more than the speed limit. I prefer to cruise at 65-70 if there's no traffic. I only ride at night if I'm on my way home or coming into a hotel or whatever.
Last edited by Bullwinkle58; Mar 25, 2025 at 08:54 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,626
Likes: 4,080
From: Virginia
When I rode cafe racers as a young man, speeds that a harley will never see. These days, 3000 rpm on my 135 gets me to 85-90 mph on the interstate going long distance. Riding 2 up, the wife speed limiter starts kicking in anything higher than 75-80, lol.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 25,054
Likes: 19,456
From: New York
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,524
Likes: 57,080
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
"Red" will fall asleep ( no speed limiter ) on the back if I'm on a long haul on the slab ... She enjoys the back roads much more
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 156
Likes: 134
From: Na Hampsha/Upstate SC
My gofaster days are long gone. I prefer to stay off the Interstate if at all possible unless I have to get a LONG way away sooner rather than later. Yes, I will "employ" the rabbit if I need speed. A half mile or so lead usually works. Here in New England, sight lines aren't usually very far, and the deer.... Other critters, too!
My last award was for "Over 100," as he couldn't really clock me on my German rocketship. Took him a few miles to catch up, hehe. That one was very expensive, and made me rethink my progress as a rider. That was a few decades ago, IIRC. If I break 75 on the Interstate now just cruising, that's something. SWMBO and I ride for ice cream on secondary roads these days, and that'll be 60, max, usually more like 45, 50. I like getting old - the alternative sucks - and I hope to get older.
My last award was for "Over 100," as he couldn't really clock me on my German rocketship. Took him a few miles to catch up, hehe. That one was very expensive, and made me rethink my progress as a rider. That was a few decades ago, IIRC. If I break 75 on the Interstate now just cruising, that's something. SWMBO and I ride for ice cream on secondary roads these days, and that'll be 60, max, usually more like 45, 50. I like getting old - the alternative sucks - and I hope to get older.