Do I really ride too fast?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 19
From: Naples FL / Pine TWP PA
Pretty much 10 over for me on the slab. Back roads, well speed limits are suggested speeds and nothing more. I avoid riding with slow groups. Most of the guys I ride with do go slower than I do, but none under the speed limit.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Remember that bike speedometers always read fast. So if you have all your **** calibrated and you are doing a true 65, then most of those guys speedometers would have to read 68-69 just to keep up with you. Then they will complain you run fast when in fact you are not. I run into this all the time on group rides. I like the people in the groups, but the group ride itself sucks from the standpoint of consistently applied speed when appropriate. It's amazing how many groups ride under the speedlimit. It's actually pretty dangerous because it encourages the cagers to take chances to get around the group.
Taking a gps or phone along to check actual mph vs what his speedometer is reading is what every rider should do, but heck, few do it. So the saga continues.....
And no, you don't ride fast. I'm almost 59 and I like to go at least 5 over the speedlimit.
Taking a gps or phone along to check actual mph vs what his speedometer is reading is what every rider should do, but heck, few do it. So the saga continues.....
And no, you don't ride fast. I'm almost 59 and I like to go at least 5 over the speedlimit.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
On highways and interstates, I don't go more than 7-8mph above the limit. Through neighborhoods, downtown areas, or around schools, I keep it at the limit or a little below. Put me on a winding mountain road though......Let's just say I saw triple-digit speeds more than once on the Million Dollar Highway.
Good point.
Remember that bike speedometers always read fast. So if you have all your **** calibrated and you are doing a true 65, then most of those guys speedometers would have to read 68-69 just to keep up with you. Then they will complain you run fast when in fact you are not. I run into this all the time on group rides. I like the people in the groups, but the group ride itself sucks from the standpoint of consistently applied speed when appropriate. It's amazing how many groups ride under the speedlimit. It's actually pretty dangerous because it encourages the cagers to take chances to get around the group.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
This sounds like the best formula for staying safe. I don't do group rides but I could imagine that they would tend to be a bit slower, to stay together. In answer to your question, yes, you are probably riding to fast for a group ride. If you want to go faster then leave the group behind or find a faster group.
Supporter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13,870
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From: Taylortucky, MI
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 236
Likes: 3
From: MA
For me it all depends on what the weather is doing. If it's a nice sunny day and I have the right playlist going on the Ipod that will coax quite a few extra MPH out of me. lol
I have a core group of of about six guys I ride with and we all like to rip. When we have the girls on the back we ride at a more sedate pace. I can't put a speed to the roads we ride on but when we pull away from lights and there's a straight away we like to get on it until we reach "cruising" speed. If the road has sweeping turns we will ride faster just to experience what everyone loves about riding motorcycles; going fast through the bends! When we go on our longer trips we try to avoid the highways unless we are heading home but we will usually cruise at 75-80mph on the highways.
Sometimes we will ride with slower riders but the "faster" guys will ride at their pace and wait for the other's to catch up at important waypoints, intersections and turns.
I have a core group of of about six guys I ride with and we all like to rip. When we have the girls on the back we ride at a more sedate pace. I can't put a speed to the roads we ride on but when we pull away from lights and there's a straight away we like to get on it until we reach "cruising" speed. If the road has sweeping turns we will ride faster just to experience what everyone loves about riding motorcycles; going fast through the bends! When we go on our longer trips we try to avoid the highways unless we are heading home but we will usually cruise at 75-80mph on the highways.
Sometimes we will ride with slower riders but the "faster" guys will ride at their pace and wait for the other's to catch up at important waypoints, intersections and turns.
