HD Top Speed

[hightop]

   Not quite on topic, but dyno-tuned a late 1200XL (stock except for exh. and air cleaner), customer came back in last week to say it was running great and he took it up to 190 the other night before he had to let out of it. Said it straight faced with other customers at the counter listening even.

   Got another customer with around 95 HP who claims "them Hayabusa's and ZX14's ain't all that!" 

[02roadcling]

190 sounds like 119 which is what it is in kph 

[blackhillsken]

   Not quite on topic, but dyno-tuned a late 1200XL (stock except for exh. and air cleaner), customer came back in last week to say it was running great and he took it up to 190 the other night before he had to let out of it. Said it straight faced with other customers at the counter listening even.


That guy should run for a government position.   

[ederdelyi]

>>That guy should run for a government position<<

Bite yer tongue ... he'd likely win! We gots enough "siiver tongued Devils" as it is :>)

[nedlug]

Seems like every harley I've owned in the last 10 years or so the speedo has been about 5% high. I used to check them against the signs on the freeway but they don't seem to put up many of the speedo check signs any more. I've had my 05 RG at 123 mph on a long flat section of 505 freeway and that was using the GPS. It felt stable but I don't think I would want to run it very far at that speed. I think the RG cuts the wind a little better than some of the other harleys. I know my heritage with the big flat wind screen felt a little unsteady at 110 on the speedo.

[Coff 06]

My 06 FXSTSI with a 98" build pegs the speedo very easy,and still feels great at that speed. Coff 06

[Rokinrider]

117 this spring on ol blackie after the cam swap. I'm sure the speedo lies one way or another. I'll just say it keeps pulling and pulling. Very Happy....

[hotroadking]

I try and stay around 60 or less

anything over that fuggs up my cigars...

[madjack]

hey there Hightop, Tell your customer with 95hp, I'll run him with my zx-14, and I'll only use 2 gears. heck I'll even let him keep his title, if he can beat me in any of his 5 gears LOL. Hows that for a fare chase, then I'll add insult to injury, an spank him with 115hp ultra. I'm sorry, I told myself I wouln't be a jerk today, but that was early this morning. Gene

[Bigs]

Wanted to check third gear on my '06 RG - 90mph. Have had it up to 90 with the wife on back but got punched in the ribs to slow down to 70. Had it up to 100 a few times in fifth gear but don't know the top speed. My '05 1200C Sportster makes a easy 108 in third and jumps when shifted into fourth at that speed, but I shut it down at 116. It was rock solid at that speed and I would have tried to take it up as far as it would go but I chickened out because I didn't want to wind up getting arrested for speeding. Maybe someday I'll get the nerve.
  Bigs

[AkMan]

rider is basically correct. Torsional skew on the touring frames is pretty high as they are, in fact, touring frames. the dynas are another story.
At high speeds on a touring bike, the symptoms cant be felt because of the weight. they are dampened quite a bit.
Same thing happens when you ride in a car that is not designed for continued high speed driving. sort of gets squirmy on handling. on a bike you dont find out until it is sometimes too late.

[FLTRI]

.... on a bike you dont find out until it is sometimes too late.

Oh great, another doomsday rider. LOL!
After over 175,000 miles and 10 years of high speed (>100mph) x-country touring, sometimes with the throttle locked down with the thumb wheel (had to add it to my bikes because they came with cruise control (max 85-87 mph), I find out my bike is under-engineered for the speeds I have been travelling.
Never had a high speed wobble that caused me to get out of control, and I have no add-on do-dads to prevent it, but do keep the suspensions tight/serviced.
Top speed for the '94 Ultra (107" S&S EVO) = 115mph Car along side
Top speed for the '98 RG (80" EVO) = 112 mph Car along side
Top speed for the '03 RG (117" TC) = 123 mph (GPS)
All I can say is I'm slowin' down........ LOL!
Bob

[ederdelyi]

Gee Bob, ya got some real toads there ,,,, would you like the name of a good tuner? :>)

All BS aside, are you saying that there is absolutely no difference in a HD touring bike and the likes of a Hayabusa, ZX14, Concours, and a score of other bikes designed for high speed? I disagree. Some vehicles are more suited to certain types of riding than others. While you may be able to do it, it doesn't make it safe or smart to do it, especially on public roads.

I can think of many vehicles I've owned and built over my life time that could write checks the chassis couldn't handle if they were pushed to the limit ... it was dumb then, and it's even dumber now that I'm older and (hopefully) wiser.

No one is saying the bike is defective, it is not an autobahn machine or a race vehicle, why treat it like one? Macho horse"Potty mouth" is what gets people killed. Don't know about the rest of ya, but when I hear somone bragging about how fast their  road couch can go the words that come to mind are not "gosh, I'm impressesd". I'll leave what comes to mind to your imagination. :>)

[speed limit]

Faster than a 1800 goldwing

[FLTRI]

Gee Bob, ya goy some real toads there ,,,, would you like the name of a good tuner? :>)

All BS aside, are you saying that there is absolutely no difference in a HD touring bike and the likes of a Hayabusa, ZX14, Concours, and a score of other bikes designed for high speed? I disagree. Some vehicles are more suited to certain types of riding than others. While you may be able to do it, it doesn't make it safe or smart to do it, especially on public roads.

I can think of many vehicles I've owned and built over my life time that could write checks the chassis couldn't handle if they were pushed to the limit ... it was dumb then, and it's even dumber now that I'm older and (hopefully) wiser.

No one is saying the bike is defective, it is not an autobahn machine or a race vehicle, why treat it like one? Macho horse"Potty mouth" is what gets people killed. Don't know about the rest of ya, but when I hear someone bragging about how fast their  road couch can go the words that come to mind are not "gosh, I'm impressesd". I'll leave what comes to mind to your imagination. :>)

Ed,
Here is the poster's question:
"What would you consider the fastest speed you can "safely" go on a HD, particularly the Touring and Softail models? After about 115mph, I get real concern. Please let me know the top speed, year and model bike."
I answered the question based on my own personal riding experiences.

I agree if a bike is pushed over its limits bad things can and do happen, but evidently I have not pushed them passed their limits or just been flat lucky for all those years/miles?

If you and/or others feel 100+ mph is too fast/dangerous for these bikes, I certainly understand and it is your opinion(s) and heard/respected.
I remember from passed HD FLH touring bike references and statements you are not a fan of HD touring bikes (ie: "road couch"), which may slant your viewpoint?

Have you ridden and spent time on an HD touring bike over 100 mph to feel the stability/instability?
Personally I find the touring HDs to be very stable a high speeds (<125). But I also feel the handling is great for a touring bike, but again WTFDIK?


Again let me state I am not bragging nor am I comparing a touring Hd to the high performance bikes you mentioned but every vehicle has their point of instability. Some it is 60 mph (ie: minibike) while some are over 150mph (street race bikes or sportbikes). It's all relative IMO.
Bob
As always, JMHO, Bob

[ederdelyi]

Bob, yes I have ridden the touring bikes at speed. And no, I don't like them ... I've made that clear. You are right, it is a matter of opinion and preference. Like you, I've done racing in different venues both on and off road ... that amounts to zip doo da on public roads. My skills are not the skills of the Winnebago driver who swings wide on a turn or the guy who is doing anything and everything but paying attention to his driving/riding. At high speeds, I'd much rather be faced with an evasive action situation with a vehicle that is well suited for high speed "billiards". A bullet has no real problem going fast in a straight line ... turning and stopping are more problematic.

[FLTRI]

Ed,
Very good points and is the reason I made it clear the mentioned speeds were done out in the desert or a freeway (like I5 @ 6am) where there was no other cars, pedestrains, or other things like deer, etc.
As for your comment about evasive action:
Try to avoid something on the road on a rice rocket @ 175 mph! It becomes as quick to respond (ft per sec) as a Winnebego @ 50 mph.
As I mentioned all things are relative here.
Bob
PS - Brembos calipers and larger dia rotors really help the stopping issue.

[Scramjet]

I have no problem on the FLHX at 100+ (GPS) for long periods on a limited access freeway with light traffic.  Seems very comfortable and the road threats are manageable.  Just slow down to about 80-90 when passing.  I also know that the bike is good for bursts up to 120+ (GPS) for a few minutes at a time but it may be starting to push it.

B

[ederdelyi]

I have good brakes, shocks, you name it on all my vehicles .. the best I can afford. I'd say my FXDX is better suited to high speed horseplay than many of the HD's out here ... it still don't make it smart on a public road. There's a word for 175 MPH on a public road (don't matter what bike or car you happen to be in) ... it starts with an "S" and it ain't "Smart" >) I reserve my "adrenaline/testoserone fixes" for track days, which I still do on a regular basis ... but not with my DX. Why push a bike with a 36* lean angle to it's limits when I can ride a bike that has a greater lean angle and still have some reserve when things go to Hell in a hand basket ? I'm sure you understand reserve and when to use the escape road :>)

[FLTRI]

I'm sure you understand reserve and when to use the escape road :>)

Yep, and I know there is a difference between a Winnebago that tells you way ahead of time when the limit is nearing and a sport/race bike that keeps telling you you can go faster because you got the power, brakes, tires, etc.
I ride baggers because IMO they are the large size Mercedes of motorcycles. Big basic touring bike that is really easy to ride and control.

So where an FLH may feel close to the edge @ 80 mph on a given stretch of road, a sportbike may feel really slow. And get on a hopped up motorscooter @ 80 mph and that's a whole different sensation!
Everything here; speed, chassis design, tires, engine, aero, and rider ability is relative, so you one go swiftly, tet safely on a bagger....it's just at a much reduced speed as compared to a sport/race bike.
Bob

[Kleetus]

I towed a Bunkhouse pop up tent camper across a wide flat stretch of Mississippi once at 95mph with the wife on back. Actually, with all that extra weight (350 lbs. plus cargo) of the camper I was surprised how well it ran. A buddy was riding 2 up on a BMW K1200LT pulling a trailer too. He got mad because at hi speed I could walk away from him. I guess it was the extra torque of my 95. (102 ft. lbs) verses his flat 4 1200cc. But, I'm sure without the trailer he could spank my bad and out brake and out corner me too. Those K bikes are made for the Autobahn.
But, on a daily basis i never run over 70-75. I'm getting older and slower. Now if I could just get this 117 to quick knocking and blubbering oil!

Kleetus

[Jeffd]

I'm lucky in the fact that I have had RK's on the race track.  when you are in the right enviroment you can ring them out for all their worth, of course stock that is not all that much lOl. 

[fuzznut5197]

I ride baggers because IMO they are the large size Mercedes of motorcycles. Big basic touring bike that is really easy to ride and control.

Mercedes? More like a '67 Chrysler Newport 

[ederdelyi]

It's all in the wrist :>) Or foot if yer in a car :>) I've learned to control mine.

Just to give you (all) an idea of where I'm coming from, I've never been a "destination" oriented rider. While I do have a general locale in mind when I ride, it's never the goal to get to "X" in the shortest amount of time. I like to be more flexible than that and discover things along the way. I do an annual ride on the DX that can cover 13.5 - 15k in 30 days ... and I'm not trying to set any speed records. I can do it if I need to and can still log 7-800 mile days without killing myself. Shoot, I've done that on my KLR650 ... once I did Portland, OR to San Jose, CA in just over 10 hrs on that very bike. I just don't care for big, heavy road couches, not my thing. I'd rather do 600 miles or more in a day on my DX, Speed Triple. even my RC51 ... just me. Didn't like the big old Caddies either :>)

[PoorUB]

I had my '05 Ultra to 110 several times, then I did the 95" and cams and 125 was not a problem, still pulling at 125 MPH. My 2010 Ultra is one hell of allot more stable than my '05 was but have had it up to 100 a couple times, and it needs cams to go much faster!