First time on highway w/ motorcycle

Hero Danny · August 31st, 2014, 07:12 AM

Today I decided to take Amy on the highway, I felt it was time after I just did all that maintenance. All I can say is THANK GOD I had ear plugs on.

I got up to 70-75 pretty easily, I was in the slow lane (people generally do 75 on this highway on the slow lane) I decided to ring Amy's neck a little bit, so I went into the fast lane and open throttled (in 6th, of course) I also went into a full tuck position. She revved up pretty quick to 85ish then slowly made her way to 90... and started VERY slowly climbing 91.....92..... I think that's as fast as I got (I could of went a little faster but didn't want to risk it) I slowed back down to 70 and got off at the next exit..

Ear plugs saved me i'm sure, ALWAYS WEAR THEM!

Vibrations were worse than i'd thought they'd be. I was really scared actually, I mean, I wasn't tense, I was focused and alert constantly looking at the road for potential hazards while trying to make my body remain relaxed. But man was I scared, I felt so close to the ground. It was fun though at the same time. Again I was NOT tense, My elbows were relaxed, etc.

I was a little surprised... i thought Amy would hit 100mph on the highway, I mean I guess she could, but I feel it would take literally 3 minutes of WOT in 6th gear to get there... is this normal? I'm fairly light, 145lbs w/o gear probably somewhere around 155 w/ gear.

Also I only went 92 as indicated by my speedo, I was probably actually only going roughly 86ish

Aufitt · August 31st, 2014, 07:24 AM

Redline it in 5th before going into 6th or you'll be forever winding it out.

ForceofWill · August 31st, 2014, 09:34 AM

Hmm I actually find the highway less stressful. Even though you're moving faster the speed differential between everyone is way less than the city. No side streets etc.

I never did a pull stock. But now my bike will pull steady until it runs out of RPM.

Hero Danny · August 31st, 2014, 10:34 AM

It ran out of RPMs, essentially, it was right bellow red line. That was part of the reason why I laid off the throttle, didn't feel like red lining Amy.

I mean, riding on the highway was only scary cause it was my first time. Not only that but I removed my silencer off my slip on (just for fun hehe) and then Amy was absolutely Roaring. That plus the wind (despite my ear plugs) made the whole situation a little scarier, I noticed the ground flying past me and I for a moment felt like I was only laying on the ground (since I was fully tucked) hard to explain.

Again, this is the first time i've ever taken Amy this fast. It's the first time in a long time i've driven anything this fast, i generally cruise in my car going no more than 85. (although i've had her up at a 100+ before) And I've never gone close to redlining my car, I don't like to red line anything. It stresses me out.

choneofakind · August 31st, 2014, 10:40 AM

You know that the act of redlining really just cuts ignition so the engine doesn't over rev past the rpm that is safe for the valve train. As long as you're not constantly bouncing off the limiter and subjecting your pistons to awkard accelerations, you have nothing to worry about. The valves are good to like 15k+ according to the racer guys in Indonesia. The rev limiter cuts in at 13k or 14k, I forget which. If it bothers you, just don't look at the needle

Basically as long as you're not sitting stationary with the throttle pinned all the time, I wouldn't sweat it.

That said, glad you finally got to experience a little speed, though I don't suggest doing it during traffic but hey. Still think youre ready for more power and that you've reached the potential of the bike?

Obey Reaper · August 31st, 2014, 12:58 PM

I can't get mine past 95 unless I'm going downhill.

And I've changed out both sprockets too. It is nice maxing around 10,000rpms instead of 12,000 though. Much smoother, less obnoxious vibrating.

I had to drive my bike like 150 miles home after I bought it so I was sorta forced to go highway immediately lol. That was a little nerve wrecking...

I do prefer it most of the time just because of all the space it allows for maneuvers.

Hero Danny · August 31st, 2014, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

That said, glad you finally got to experience a little speed, though I don't suggest doing it during traffic but hey. Still think youre ready for more power and that you've reached the potential of the bike?

Oh course not, I've never claimed that i've reached the potential of my bike, to be honest I could ride my bike for the rest of my life and not reach it's full potential. If I had a bigger bike on the highway i'd probably be less scared to be honest, since the bike would be a bit more stable and less subjected to wind blasts.

Next summer i'm probably gonna upgrade to a 300. I love amy, but I really want to change over to Fuel injection, plus i've only heard good things about the 300's and they're just overall better bikes. Yet they are still small so they'll (for the most part) keep me out of trouble.

I think a year of experience + MSF course grants me the right to upgrade 50 extra cc's. (next may)

Hero Danny · August 31st, 2014, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obey Reaper

I can't get mine past 95 unless I'm going downhill.

And I've changed out both sprockets too. It is nice maxing around 10,000rpms instead of 12,000 though. Much smoother, less obnoxious vibrating.

I had to drive my bike like 150 miles home after I bought it so I was sorta forced to go highway immediately lol. That was a little nerve wrecking...

I do prefer it most of the time just because of all the space it allows for maneuvers.

I hear ya.

It's weird because I know people claim to hit 100 (indicated) on their newgens and they're bigger riders than me, so when I was barely topping over 90 I was a bit confused lol.

August 31st, 2014, 07:12 AM	#1
Hero Danny Inline 4!!! Name: Danny Location: MA Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.	First time on highway w/ motorcycle Today I decided to take Amy on the highway, I felt it was time after I just did all that maintenance. All I can say is THANK GOD I had ear plugs on. I got up to 70-75 pretty easily, I was in the slow lane (people generally do 75 on this highway on the slow lane) I decided to ring Amy's neck a little bit, so I went into the fast lane and open throttled (in 6th, of course) I also went into a full tuck position. She revved up pretty quick to 85ish then slowly made her way to 90... and started VERY slowly climbing 91.....92..... I think that's as fast as I got (I could of went a little faster but didn't want to risk it) I slowed back down to 70 and got off at the next exit.. Ear plugs saved me i'm sure, ALWAYS WEAR THEM! Vibrations were worse than i'd thought they'd be. I was really scared actually, I mean, I wasn't tense, I was focused and alert constantly looking at the road for potential hazards while trying to make my body remain relaxed. But man was I scared, I felt so close to the ground. It was fun though at the same time. Again I was NOT tense, My elbows were relaxed, etc. I was a little surprised... i thought Amy would hit 100mph on the highway, I mean I guess she could, but I feel it would take literally 3 minutes of WOT in 6th gear to get there... is this normal? I'm fairly light, 145lbs w/o gear probably somewhere around 155 w/ gear. Also I only went 92 as indicated by my speedo, I was probably actually only going roughly 86ish __________________________________________________ Be careful. Remember you are invisible

August 31st, 2014, 10:34 AM	#4
Hero Danny Inline 4!!! Name: Danny Location: MA Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.	It ran out of RPMs, essentially, it was right bellow red line. That was part of the reason why I laid off the throttle, didn't feel like red lining Amy. I mean, riding on the highway was only scary cause it was my first time. Not only that but I removed my silencer off my slip on (just for fun hehe) and then Amy was absolutely Roaring. That plus the wind (despite my ear plugs) made the whole situation a little scarier, I noticed the ground flying past me and I for a moment felt like I was only laying on the ground (since I was fully tucked) hard to explain. Again, this is the first time i've ever taken Amy this fast. It's the first time in a long time i've driven anything this fast, i generally cruise in my car going no more than 85. (although i've had her up at a 100+ before) And I've never gone close to redlining my car, I don't like to red line anything. It stresses me out. __________________________________________________ Be careful. Remember you are invisible

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[motorcycle-usa.com] - The Dalton Highway Dos and Don'ts	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	January 30th, 2014 04:10 PM
Angeles Crest Highway 9/22/13 + Time Lapse Video	TheTraveler	Ride Reports	1	October 4th, 2013 05:56 AM
[topix.net] - Motorcycle Highway Songs	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	August 26th, 2011 01:20 AM
[topix.net] - Motorcycle Highway Songs	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	August 16th, 2011 09:50 AM
[topix.net] - Motorcycle Highway Songs	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	April 28th, 2011 09:20 PM

August 31st, 2014, 07:24 AM	#2
Aufitt The A Team Name: Aufitt Location: Western Australia Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): Z50, CB125, RZ500, MC22, R3. Posts: 394	Redline it in 5th before going into 6th or you'll be forever winding it out.

August 31st, 2014, 09:34 AM	#3
ForceofWill Blind 250 Loving Whore Name: Tom Location: Chesapeake, VA Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R, 02 FZ1, '20 Fat Bob 114 Posts: A lot.	Hmm I actually find the highway less stressful. Even though you're moving faster the speed differential between everyone is way less than the city. No side streets etc. I never did a pull stock. But now my bike will pull steady until it runs out of RPM.

August 31st, 2014, 10:40 AM	#5
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	You know that the act of redlining really just cuts ignition so the engine doesn't over rev past the rpm that is safe for the valve train. As long as you're not constantly bouncing off the limiter and subjecting your pistons to awkard accelerations, you have nothing to worry about. The valves are good to like 15k+ according to the racer guys in Indonesia. The rev limiter cuts in at 13k or 14k, I forget which. If it bothers you, just don't look at the needle Basically as long as you're not sitting stationary with the throttle pinned all the time, I wouldn't sweat it. That said, glad you finally got to experience a little speed, though I don't suggest doing it during traffic but hey. Still think youre ready for more power and that you've reached the potential of the bike?

August 31st, 2014, 12:58 PM	#6
Obey Reaper Candy Lime Green Name: Zach Location: Pasadena Join Date: Jun 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 27	I can't get mine past 95 unless I'm going downhill. And I've changed out both sprockets too. It is nice maxing around 10,000rpms instead of 12,000 though. Much smoother, less obnoxious vibrating. I had to drive my bike like 150 miles home after I bought it so I was sorta forced to go highway immediately lol. That was a little nerve wrecking... I do prefer it most of the time just because of all the space it allows for maneuvers.