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450s on the high way?

They will do it, but the motor will be spinning pretty high. Top speed is likely in the 90-100mph range,depending on how big a drag chute the rider is. :)

I rode 400-450s long distances on the highway all the time back in the early '80s, but speed limits were lower then so cruising speed was more like 65-70mph.
 
Over here the speed limit on the highway is either 100 or 110kph and yep my 450 will do it all day, but I won't... she's at 6K RPM at those speeds which is spot on where she picks up and wants to party which is great in the twisties but tiring droning along like that for a while.

I had a 4 hour highway round trip to pick up the Kat gearbox the other week and it just wasn't all that enjoyable. If I had to spend a lot of time on the highway I'd be gearing up and coping with the loss of acceleration... or just get a more suitable bike.
 
i was just wondering because i found a very clean one near me for pretty cheap. i frequent the highway for 50 mile runs all the time.
 
50 miles is probably doable. The trip I did was over 400kms...
 
One of my first bikes was a GS 450.Memory serves it was the second bike I ever owned. It will be screaming at 75mph. If my goal is a steady diet of highway .. I might look for a slightly larger engine. I think most people feel similar about my 750 but I found with the riding I do that its a good sized engine that does everything I want "really good" if not great. I ride hard pack gravel, highway and city streets. Its a great compromise.

At 215 lbs .. honestly I would pass. I had a modern Triumph Bonneville which is 2 cylinder between 700 and 750 cc and it was struggling on AZ highways where the average speed is 75. It would do it but I don't know who was more tired after a ride .. me or the bike.
 
I'm a little late to the party here, but my '80 450E does 77mph wide open in 6th with me on it. Granted I'm 6'4 and a little north of 300.
I don't take it out on the interstate at all. 2 lane highways and such are OK, but I need a bigger bike:D
 
I take mine on the highway all the time and do 150+ mile days. Thing cruises all day at 70 but doesn't have the pickup that my GS750 does if you want/need to pass somebody at that speed. You get whipped around by the wind a little more but it's part of the fun. I'm 6'1" and 165lbs. My only complain is getting speed wobbles when you hit the little divets in between lanes going 70mph+.
 
thebrandonbeezy said:
i was just wondering because i found a very clean one near me for pretty cheap. i frequent the highway for 50 mile runs all the time.
Click to expand...
well, I'd buy it just being "clean and cheap". They are a cool bike.
but Freeway just a similar opinion to those above- you'll be a outclassed by the raging monsters surrounding you...you'll want to go 85 sooner or later to get around a semi quick and there, the narrow 18" tires and general lightness ...and you are a bit on the heavy side for the bike too so some behemoth will be snorting up your backside as soon as you pull into the passing lane... But try it . 50 miles is only 45 minutes or so. You could mod the stock bike and make it better for the job.
I've got the slightly different gsx400E and it's ok doing a 120kmh limit here (70mph) but I just trundle along in the right lane and avoid passing without a big window in the passing lane. And, I weigh less than you!
 
Last edited:
Get the 450 and wind it up...it wont hurt a thing. In fact at around 6000RPM is where shes gonna be at her best.
 
Some of it depends on the highway in your area. When I was still in NYC the speed limit was 55 and even with people doing 10 above its only 65mph. Traffic and horrible road surface usually kept things around 60.
I would be alright with a 450 there. I like the extra "get out of trouble" speed you can get out of a bigger engine but my first really road worthy bike was a Suzuki 450 and I used it for everything for about 2 years in NYC.

Here in AZ the speed suggestion is 65. It is normal for actual highway speed to be better than 75 but 72-75 is the minimum if you dont want someone up your butt. You see a bunch of people going much faster than that. AZ has new modern multilane highways so you can go fast. I dont feel safe on my 750 here and i would not venture on to our highways with a 450.

So look at your situation as it may be locale sensitive.
 
On the section of 95 i drive mostly, averages about 82ish depending on conditions that day. I alread have another 1000g which will do just fine, ill try to find the add and post it. Sweet little bike
 
I saw it on let go again about 2 weeks after I bought your bike, ive messaged the guy before. Ill see if i can find the messages .
 
I've ridden on the highway but usually for not more than 10-20 miles at a time, and usually 65-75mph.

1) get different sprockets if you're going to do this regularly
2) get some bar-end weights to reduce fatigue from prolonged vibrations incurred at that speed
 
I weigh 280ish, and our little 300 has carried me over the Great Smoky Mountains from Gatlinburg to north Georgia. Granted, I had to downshift a LOT, and it screamed like a Formula 1 car most of the time that first ride down and back. But now that it has a 6-speed in it, the bike doesn't scream now so much as just yell. :)

Just thought I'd through that out there for yall.
 
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