When I ride my Bike I feel it is very relaxing to me to go with 70-90 km/h (about 45-57mph) through the Landscape and enjoy the Nature, the Weather, the Wind and so on.... I often realize other Bikers (of Course often with other Bikes, like Racers etc.) that pass me with much more Speed , just to meet them at the next Traffic Light again. I mean,...don't get me wrong. Everyone should do as he likes to, but for me...I could't imagine that this Kind of Racing could be Fun to me. I love to go slow....Am I not normal? :smile::wink:
You're normal. Best advice I ever got regarding motorcycle riding is, "Don't be in a hurry", that's when accidents are most likely to occur. I ride a lot, but almost always go nowhere when riding.
I also like to drive slow. 100 km/h is my limit. 80 to 90 km/h is perfect. Luckily, maximum speed in Quebec is 90 km/h except for some highways where the limit is 100 km/h. I have yet to meet another biker who follows the speed limit.
45 to 60 mph on a 650 with no windshield is a pleasant Cruising speed. The bike seems to be optimized for that range.
At 63 to 68mph the engine has a resonate vibration - not that anything bad is happening, its just buzzing a bit.
Wind force is exponential with speed, the wind blast is double at 75mph from what it is at 50.
I would not consider 45mph to be slow - if you have ever gone 45mph on a bicycle, its scary as hell. But on a 600 lb motorcycle its a great ride.
I normally ride on secondary two lane roads, which takes me through all the little towns and villages. I love to putt thru towns at 30mph in 5th gear, with the engine just nicely putt putt putting over and the stock exhaust as quiet as can be. Then on the other side of town, when the speed limit changes to 55mph, just crank the throttle a bit and let the engine wind out in one continuous long climb up.
I like slow cruising on hilly winding roads. I like punching the throttle on a straight away. I also like pretty girls in sun dresses, 1/2 lb. hickory burgers and Dunkin Donuts coffee.
I prefer riding slowly while on the 650 Custom, as I too really enjoy the scenery... there's always lots of icebergs, woodland caribou, bald eagles, humpback whales, scenic little coves/beaches here and there. But every so often I love to hop on my other ride and just go like the wind! I've had the Honda up to about 180 km/h, but that was a one-time deal just to see what it would actually feel like to go that fast on two wheels... and with no windshield. And it really does feel awesome, although I won't ever go that quickly again; too many things that can go wrong, likely with all of them ending badly. (plus our daughter is a cop and she would kick my @ss!) But sometimes I just have to twist that CB500FA's throttle wide open, leaping from a casual crusing speed of about 70 km/h, right up to 130-ish in just a few quick seconds, (Jeez, I sound like I'm seventeen!) then just as quickly return to normal speeds once again.
In contrast, going even just a little over 100 km/h on the 650 Custom seems awfully fast to me, so I prefer to keep this bike in the much more pleasant 65-85 range. Gotta say it's nice to have the choice though!
I don't race, but I'll cruise at 120km/h (75mph) on the highway to keep up with traffic. The speed limit in NB is 110kmh on the Trans Canada, but they won't bother you unless you get it up over 120 so that's where everyone cruises. It revs a little higher than I prefer but it's not over revving and it's a comfortable speed. I often look down and see I'm passing 80 and it still feels good there.
That being said, I prefer cruising on secondary roads. I usually keep it around 100kmh (60mph) and it just putters at that speed. I find speed limits hard to stick to and that usually only happens in slow traffic, but I don't go overly fast - maybe 60 in a 50 zone, for example. It depends on the road and conditions too.
Jeez man, you just took all the fun out of it... now I'll have to switch to Levi's! (and I'm NOT looking forward to wearing 4 pairs of 'em at once!)
:crying:
Glen Focus On Newfoundland
I keep looking at the textile riding pants on websites - and I know I should buy a pair to go with my Tourmaster mesh jacket for taking day trips.
I wish there was some place you could go with all your old gear, and slide down a big slide, and then across an asphalt parking lot. The farther you climb up the slide, the faster you hit the asphalt pavement at the bottom.
I think it would be good to practice that... It would build your confidence.
When I use to sail, one of the first things you did with a new sailor on a small boat was go out in about 10 feet of water, and intentionally capsize the boat, and then practice righting it. Once you know you can get the boat back up, you are not so scared of having it go over while you are sailing. Its a lot more... uhm.. challenging to right a Hobie Cat, than something like a Sunfish or Laser. Once you know you can do it, you are not so gun shy, and you become a better sailor. On a sailboat if you have not capsized, you are not going fast enough.
Most of my riding the last few months been on highways and interstate going to and from work. (73 miles round trip). So if I am not doing at least 70mph, I will get run over. I do not mid going fast. I guess it is because I have not hit middle age yet! :wink:
That said ... I find my smile is the biggest between 45-60 mph, then at other speeds
Last year a local MC shop had a first day of summer event - hot dogs, music, test rides...
Just before I left a couple kids on sports bikes left, one did a tire burn in the parking lot on his way out (i was SOOOO impressed LOL! He left $50 worth the rubber in the parking lot). Another kid did a wheelie out on the street then took off WFO.
I put all my gear on, started my VS650 without reving the throttle off the stop, then rode all.....the......way...... .out of the parking lot at 2mph, sitting up straight, both feet on the foot pads, dead steady the whole way. Then calmly pulled out onto the street and cruised up to speed without hitting 2000 rpm...
Being able to ride below the clutch speed of your engine in 1st gear is a skill that takes practice.
Most normal. I and my wife, in riding our SVTC, have slowed down around 15 miles per hour on the open highway...75----->60 mph. We just enjoy the 'get there' experience so much now...we are in no hurry TO, get 'there'...lol. So, you are in good company!
I try to stay within 5mph of the speed limit most of the time. There are times that I love to hear the exhaust. So I will braaaappp it up to 90 to 100 then go back to the speed limitish. I have taken the Raider up to 120 but with no windshield or fairing what so ever it was a rough ride.
Now that song will be in my head the rest of the day.....lol.
Since I’m in the hills around East Tennessee, I like to glide through the curves and enjoy the scenery especially in the fall. On the straightaways I cruise along around 70-75 depending on traffic flow. We try not to Rush anywhere we’re going, unless a semi is bearing down on us coming down the mountain.
55 to 60 mph on secondary roads. Seldom ride the highways. Feel like I have to push it to stay out of everyone's way, can't take time to enjoy the scenery and can't stop whenever I want to. Plus highways don't have the fun curves to enjoy.
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