What's it like....

[argonsagas]

to ride a motorcycle at 175 MPH?

I have never reached that number, but this writer did.

GQ Sports offers this writer's experience at doing 175MPH on the best track and on one of the best bikes made.

https://www.gq.com/story/ducati-panigale-v4

 

[Baatfam]

Interesting article...thanks.

Fasted I ever went was 140-144 mph
But I got to do it many, many times over the summers.

 

[trevor]

Death Valley Desert on my K1300R...saddle bags and top case loaded...165mph...the bike had more but I was done.
Done it a few times

 

[rphillips]

No clue how accurate the old speedometers were, but the fastest I remember "see'in" was on a buddy's new 1984 Kawasaki 900 Ninja. It had a digital readout and said 156 mph. on the local rd. between town and my house. No clue about how fast those early 80's bikes were going, back then they were usually pegged out at that stupid 80 mph. but pretty sure we's going faster than that.

 

[storm 64]

145 for me on the FJR... I'll have to see what I can do on the big K-16

Have you ever done 100 miles in a hour?

 

[argonsagas]

145 for me on the FJR... I'll have to see what I can do on the big K-16

Have you ever done 100 miles in a hour?

Yes.
Once.
A while ago.
On a GS1100GK
On a ride across New Brunswick
I averaged 95MPH over about 130 miles.


Most memorable moment?

I hit a dip at about 110 to 115 MPH and went airborne for two full seconds.....
Definitely a moment of concern, but the touchdown was flawless.

It was also my first....and only....iron butt ride.


EDIT....It took the full tank of gas and I thought myself lucky to reach a gas station.

 

[lizzywhite45]

175 is crazy fast. Closest I got was maybe 150. Full tuck, wind trying to rip my head off, everything blurring.

It’s a rush you don’t forget. Not something I’d do often, but glad I felt it once.

 

[argonsagas]

175 is crazy fast. Closest I got was maybe 150. Full tuck, wind trying to rip my head off, everything blurring.

It’s a rush you don’t forget. Not something I’d do often, but glad I felt it once.

A few years ago we had a member who somehow got a speeding ticket near Winnipeg, Manitoba while riding his GS1150.
He reported that. RCMP had clocked him on radar at 174MPH
I remember it because that is the fastest confirmed speed I have heard of on this forum.

 

[skip]

A few years ago we had a member who somehow got a speeding ticket near Winnipeg, Manitoba while riding his GS1150.
He reported that. RCMP had clocked him on radar at 174MPH
I remember it because that is the fastest confirmed speed I have heard of on this forum.

Having owned a radically built GS 1150( 1229 cc, cams, head porting, 38 mm mikuni flat slides,dyna S ignition and coils, Etc etc,) for 13 years I can tell you that he was stretching the truth by a lot. The aerodynamics are not good on those bikes and you need tons of horsepower to go 175. My ZZR 1200 was very aerodynamic had 160 horsepower at the crank and wide open was only good for a GPS 168 even those spedometer said much higher.

 

[marvinsc]

Fastest for me was on my GSX1100G on the way home from West Virginia. I had just stopped at the Beaver Dam rest stop on the old West KY Parkway (now I-69) I was hot and bored and there was no traffic so I pinned the throttle intending to find what it would do. As the speedo was bouncing off 140 there was a long right hand sweeper coming up and I let off. Just as I dropped below 80 mph I met a Kentucky State Trooper. He didn't even look but pretty sure he would have a couple minutes earlier............

 

[argonsagas]

Having owned a radically built GS 1150( 1229 cc, cams, head porting, 38 mm mikuni flat slides,dyna S ignition and coils, Etc etc,) for 13 years I can tell you that he was stretching the truth by a lot. The aerodynamics are not good on those bikes and you need tons of horsepower to go 175. My ZZR 1200 was very aerodynamic had 160 horsepower at the crank and wide open was only good for a GPS 168 even though speedometer said much higher.

Ah, yes, yes.

I recall seeing photos of that bike.... you may have used it as an avatar
Such a handicap it was, being pink.

Very pleased to see you still posting.


Note to readers....no it was not really pink but the lighting made the silver look pink.

Peppermint Pattit, however, DID have an all-pink bike.

 

[Sandy]

150ish on my FZ750, 160ish on an FZR1000. Mostly on local backroads. Many years ago and didn't seem like that big of a deal. No traffic, no cops. It’s just what we did for entertainment. Now I look back and say to myself WTF were you thinking you idiot.

 

[skip]

One thing everybody should remember that when you hear Tales of speedometer speed it's almost always at least 10% off. Even GPS speed can be up to 3% off and it's always in the fast Direction. Example indicated 85 mph is most likely in the 77 mile per hour range. I have tested this theory on my last five bikes all Japanese 1,000 CC and larger. And when I go through the radar box it's pretty religiously 10% off. Like I said earlier I did an indicated 185 mph on my ZZR. GPS had it at 168 big difference

 

[rustybronco]

1976 Kaw H1. No fairing. 125mph. Head between the bars. Front end was feeling rather light. Around 1984 ish.

 

[bccap]

1976 Kaw H1. No fairing. 125mph. Head between the bars. Front end was feeling rather light. Around 1984 ish.

Ooh ...... Others may have gone faster but I'm giving you the bravery award ......

 

[argonsagas]

Ooh ...... Others may have gone faster but I'm giving you the bravery award ......

I'll second that vote.

At speed it may have been the most unstable bike of its time. It certainly did get that reputation.

 

[rphillips]

I had one of those old H1 500's but I don't think mine would ever go that fast. I'd have thought 125 would be tops for an H2 750... But that was a long time ago, my memory's got to slacking a lot.

 

[GSXR7ED]

145 for me on the FJR... I'll have to see what I can do on the big K-16

Have you ever done 100 miles in a hour?

Hey Norm!

I went just a tad over 100 by accident...let me explain.

My first bike was a 2000 GSX-R750...yeah, I know...wrong bike to start on. lol

For the longest time, I was purposely trying to hit that mark on straight aways...but my nerves were limiting me as I looked down at the speedo every time.

One day, I was at a controlled stop light waiting to make a left turn into a divided highway.

As I launched myself gradually...leaning into the left turn and going into 2nd gear, I rolled the throttle easily not thinking about my speed...

Shifting into 3rd, I glanced down at the speedo and saw I was at 104!

So, basically I had hit 100 in 2nd gear.

It's been since 2011 but I still have a strong memory of this event.

After that, I just rode not wanting to travel that fast on public roads.

 

[storm 64]

Hi ya Ed. It's good to know you're still out there.
You should check in a little more often!
Are you still loving your Toyota?
I still think about you every June 28th lol

 

[GSXR7ED]

Hi ya Ed. It's good to know you're still out there.
You should check in a little more often!
Are you still loving your Toyota?
I still think about you every June 28th lol

Norm!

I still think of you when I hear that RUSH song, "Vital Signs" from Moving Pictures:

"Everybody got to deviate from the Norm!" lol

And yes, I'm still lovin' my "Taco" (Tacoma).

I turned 59 this year...the last of my 50s.

Currently working for Boeing/C-17 Program...which I plan on being my last job before I retire for a second time.

I'm still lurking around here but don't add much dialogue unless I feel compelled.

This subject was definitely a major experience in my first riding days...hence my story.

See you around and to everyone in the thread...PTI. (Pardon The Interruption)