What highway speed do you run?
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Generally five over by the speedo - likely only three over actual.
Friday the wife and I headed out for a three hour hop to help a friend paint his house: she took her truck as we could not figure out how to get all the stuff on the Limited. I locked on the auto pilot at 5 over and her truck was shortly a black spot on the horizon. The Limited does run 100 mph without effort! Lots of power over 80 in 6th.
Unhappy ending for her as she rang up Smokey's radar, but he cut her a break on the reading/ticket (only 15 over). I was catching up to her, but apparently the profile of her truck blocked me out or he just cut me a huge break too.
I have a buddy who points his Wing west and sets his cruise at 100 and rides to Colorado that way. I would do the same on the Limited as it is smooth and stable at that speed.
Friday the wife and I headed out for a three hour hop to help a friend paint his house: she took her truck as we could not figure out how to get all the stuff on the Limited. I locked on the auto pilot at 5 over and her truck was shortly a black spot on the horizon. The Limited does run 100 mph without effort! Lots of power over 80 in 6th.
Unhappy ending for her as she rang up Smokey's radar, but he cut her a break on the reading/ticket (only 15 over). I was catching up to her, but apparently the profile of her truck blocked me out or he just cut me a huge break too.
I have a buddy who points his Wing west and sets his cruise at 100 and rides to Colorado that way. I would do the same on the Limited as it is smooth and stable at that speed.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
JMHO!! (p.s. if I comment anymore on this I'll tell you how I really feel!!
)
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I live in the UK where our speed limits are similar to yours, but Europe is just over the Channel where in some cases limits are higher. Some German autobahns are unlimited and we travelled between 80-90 when over there in May. My old Glide cleared 95mph at some stage, according to our satnav, but I had my eyes closed, so didn't notice the speedo!
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
When I'm on the interstates I go with the speed the majority is driving, recent trip up through Georgia on I-75 the traffic was easily pushing 80-85 so felt very comfortable at that speed. If I'm on the road without traffic I usually go 5-7 over. And I too find it very inconsiderate and dangerous for someone to "camp" out in the left lane!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,435
Likes: 28
From: Living in open carry state :D
Because it is illegal in most states to run the left lane if you are holding up traffic, not to mention it is very inconsiderate, also, that is the #1 complaint from motorists! Because you are running the speed limit, or more, is not a defense. (this is one ticket I truly enjoy writing to someone). Why the heck do you want to be in somebody's way? And why, in the interest of your own safety, would you let somebody follow you that close. Which they will do if you are holding them up!! I don't like anybody holding me up, and I will signal and pull off the road ASAP before I would be guilty of doing the same!! Now you can flame me all you want, but if you are one of those people who holds up traffic, words can't describe how low of life form I think you are! JMHO!! (p.s. if I comment anymore on this I'll tell you how I really feel!!)
JMHO!! (p.s. if I comment anymore on this I'll tell you how I really feel!!)AS for speed, I usually run 140kph+ (90mph+) in unristricted zones and the limit +5kph in restricted zones. There are a lot of safety cameras over here and they also use mobile ones.
Last edited by Airborne350G; Jul 7, 2010 at 06:45 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
From: Northern VT
The only reason I'm not doing 80 mph is gas mileage....typically I'll keep it about 68-72 on the interstate. I get passed all the time by other bikes doing 75-80 and they look pretty darn happy. Ride her til she dies!!!!!!
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
I second that. Going too fast means fighting the wind and the noise and worrying about cops around every corner. I prefer to just chill and enjoy the ride.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
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From: 46th State, USA
I've got a suspicion that the faster speeds on scoots are contributing to more crashes. The reaction time and the ability to avoid a collision are significantly diminished at speeds of 70 to 80 mph. I realize there are a lot of crashes at lower speeds but they are not usually as devastating as the high speed crashes.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
In Illinois the law says you stay in the right lane unless you're passing traffic.
No simple single answer to the OP - if your bike is used to low rpm's, it may cause increased wear factors on the engine if you change up to suddenly adding 1000+ rpm and load. No biggie tho.
If you are not "keeping right", you are causing a bottleneck for faster traffic, requiring them to change lanes, which causes more accidents, road rage, and more bottlenecks. YOU are not the assigned speed limiter.
I limit to 75 for engine longevity (5 speed) and mental wear, although I'll go faster occasionally.
Running with or slightly faster than the crowd is safer than way faster or slower than the crowd. Few cops single out a driver anymore when everyone is spaced out and holding their lanes. I learned this in 9 years of truck driving.
Speed doesn't cause accidents. Someone not paying attention to something does, 99% of the time. Make room for others and demand your own space as a registered motor vehicle. That means, if you put it on someone's bumper, the dummy BEHIND you will put HIS bumper on your fender. That includes at stoplights.
On the 2-lane, you're on your own. Consider wether you know the road or not.
If you are not "keeping right", you are causing a bottleneck for faster traffic, requiring them to change lanes, which causes more accidents, road rage, and more bottlenecks. YOU are not the assigned speed limiter.
I limit to 75 for engine longevity (5 speed) and mental wear, although I'll go faster occasionally.
Running with or slightly faster than the crowd is safer than way faster or slower than the crowd. Few cops single out a driver anymore when everyone is spaced out and holding their lanes. I learned this in 9 years of truck driving.
Speed doesn't cause accidents. Someone not paying attention to something does, 99% of the time. Make room for others and demand your own space as a registered motor vehicle. That means, if you put it on someone's bumper, the dummy BEHIND you will put HIS bumper on your fender. That includes at stoplights.
On the 2-lane, you're on your own. Consider wether you know the road or not.