Do I really ride too fast?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
What's the rush? I'm typically never in a hurry when I'm on my bike. I leave when I want and get home when I want. However, riding under the speed limit is very dangerous and I don't do that. Usually 5 over or less for me. If your leading a group then you really need to be considerate of other inexperienced riders.
Last edited by KCFLHRC; Jun 2, 2014 at 08:40 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
From: Plainview, NY
Here on LI the speed limit is 55 east of the city line and 50 through Queens/Brooklyn. If you do anything less than 15 over you're going to get run over. Traffic is moving mostly at about 75 so you have to figure you're going to be seeing 80 on the speedo.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 131
Likes: 4
From: Medina, Ohio
I tend to ride five over on state routes and 5-10 over on interstates L, sometimes faster depending on the flow of traffic.
Group rides always tend to be slower, that's just the nature of the beast.
I think it has a lot to do with the speedos being different like mentioned before. I used to ride (most of the time lead) with a bunch of guys on import cruisers and they always told me I was riding way to fast. The one guys was so far off it said he was doing 90 when I was doing 75.
My speedo actually reads fast, ex: it says 60 I'm really going about 58 according to a few different Gps.
Group rides always tend to be slower, that's just the nature of the beast.
I think it has a lot to do with the speedos being different like mentioned before. I used to ride (most of the time lead) with a bunch of guys on import cruisers and they always told me I was riding way to fast. The one guys was so far off it said he was doing 90 when I was doing 75.
My speedo actually reads fast, ex: it says 60 I'm really going about 58 according to a few different Gps.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
Find some friends that aren't sissies!
I like to ride fast....Most of the guys I ride with like to ride fast too.
The cool thing about it is....
I never hear any of them whining about gas mileage.
They never discuss the importance of looking cool.
They aren't concerned about whether you wear a vest or not.
They don't ever ask what color do-rag looks best.
They don't get too concerned about whether you wear a full face helmet or a beanie.
They don't care if you do or don't wear chaps, sneakers, t-shirts or whatever.
They don't trailer bikes that are not broken down.
I like to ride fast....Most of the guys I ride with like to ride fast too.
The cool thing about it is....
I never hear any of them whining about gas mileage.
They never discuss the importance of looking cool.
They aren't concerned about whether you wear a vest or not.
They don't ever ask what color do-rag looks best.
They don't get too concerned about whether you wear a full face helmet or a beanie.
They don't care if you do or don't wear chaps, sneakers, t-shirts or whatever.
They don't trailer bikes that are not broken down.
I like to ride. Fast or slow is OK. Sometimes traffic demands that I ride fast. If traffic is light or going slow, I'm gonna slow down. But either way I'm usually gonna be going a little faster than them.
Last edited by smithbrl; Jun 2, 2014 at 09:50 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 13
From: Fort Worth
5 over here in DFW will likely get you run over most times. 
I kind of let the roads dictate how fast. If I am out jsut for a cruise, I tend to stick pretty close to the speed unless I am slowing traffic and then I will speed up.
If I have somewhere to go, I tend to be one of the faster ones out there.
Are you sure your speedo is accurate? Maybe it reads slow and you are actually blazing new trails.
I kind of let the roads dictate how fast. If I am out jsut for a cruise, I tend to stick pretty close to the speed unless I am slowing traffic and then I will speed up.
If I have somewhere to go, I tend to be one of the faster ones out there.
Are you sure your speedo is accurate? Maybe it reads slow and you are actually blazing new trails.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
I have slowed up in my old age. Normally ride/drive 10+ over (not in Oregon) but like a "rabbit" or two to pass. Just got back from a 4 day ride. I'm not the fast one in the group but had the cruise set at 80 leading on the way home, 2 & 4 lane. Had to quit a group of "rolling road blockers" that never beat the limit. Much rather worry about stuff in front than getting run over. I always let faster folks by. Few things **** me off more than folks that hold up traffic!
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: NH
Usually run 10 to 15 over on the highway and the side roads it all depends on alot of factors but usually 5 to 10 over at all times.... 30 mph on some of these roads seems like you are stopped...I have friends in their 50's, I am in my 30's that have no issues going to 80+ on the highway.