How do they do it?

[Willow]

When I went to pick up my new to me Interstate, the seller was chatting with me about when he had bought it.

The man from whom he bought the bike told him, "You know, this bike will do a hundred easily."

"Not with me aboard!" he retorted.

This morning I was behind a cage going sixty-five on a two lane.  I thought he should have been doing seventy.  When the traffic cleared, I dropped into fourth gear and moved out around him.  As I pulled back into the right lane I glanced down and I was just passing ninety-five indicated.

I've heard (or read) others say they've ridden their Valkyries for years and never gone over a hundred miles per hour.  Now anyone who knows me will tell you I ride like someone's grandmother and it makes me wonder, how do they do it?   ???

[bigguy]

Somewhere around the high 90s they stop looking at the speedo.   

[Rams]

Can't tell you how except to say, I monitor my speed.  I've never had her triple digits.  Maybe because I've seen a bike/biker doing well over a hundred hit a prarrie chicken and it was not a pretty sight for the bird or bike or biker.  Can't say I'll never do it just haven't needed to.  Maybe that's why it's called a cruiser.

[Clark]

now that ya mention it.. the way you reprimand ME.. you do remind me of my granny.. she was german...jus sayn

[3fan4life]

I couldn't tell you, every bike that I've ever owned has seen triple digits.

And the Fat Lady is the worst offender. 

[Willow]

now that ya mention it.. the way you reprimand ME.. you do remind me of my granny.. she was german...jus sayn

   She must've been a very wise and kind woman.  

I've a bit of German blood myself mixed in with the Choctaw, English, and who knows what.

[ChromeDome]

Mine has seen triple digits a few times. Not something I feel complled to do but it is nice to know that I have that option. 

[Psychotic Bovine]

I have had the valk to 120.  My previous bike, an FJ1200 at 140.  My GB500 topped out at 100. 

I bought the Valk because the FJ1200 was too easy to get to those speeds and I wanted something more comfortable.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Big Al and I came out of the east Tennessee mountains just yesterday and we was lettin' them roll. I love ridin' fast  

Fastest I've ever been was 166 and still pullin' when I let off.

[solo1]

I've had my Valk at something over  a ton.  Even with the sidecar attached, the Valk easily did 95.
I routinely ran about 95 when passing semis in the summer on the Interstate.

I'm sure my 'Strom will do it but I doubt if it would have the stability of the Valkyrie.

[wiggydotcom]

Fastest I've ever drivin anything was 154.92mph...but that was at a Mario Andretti driving experience. That was all the car would go with the rev limiter set at 5900 rpm. Fastest on a Valk
was 105...passing a group of Harleys that I thought hadn't shown me the proper respect. I made quick work of all 6 of em.

[Dave Ritsema]

Personal best was 198 MPH in a specially prepared Dodge Viper on a closed course. (Track had a strict speed limit of 200 mph) Coolest thing was I was getting paid to do it at my old job. 

I have a little ritual each spring, I take my bike up to 100 MPH just for a quick little jaunt to blow out the cobwebs after her long winter sleep. Typically it wont see that speed again until the following spring.

My 1995 CBR 1000 Honda Hurricane, well I just couldn't be trusted on that bike. When a police officer pulls you over after a 5 mile "chase" that you didn't even know was happening and he shows you with a red face and shaking hands the radar that is blinking 168 mph, you know its time you should consider trading for a different bike. (My first Valkyrie) I have calmed down considerably in my advancing years. 

[flamingobabe #44]

the 1st weekend I had the Spyder...in Tucumcari....coming back from lunch run...I was passing an 18 wheeler with 2 Harleys and 3 Valks behind me...2 lane hwy with lotz of room...I waited for the right time...I could see for miles...just as I was passing the truck...95mph....scared the poo out of me...but everyone got around the truck......

[The Anvil]

I got it out of my system on sportbikes. Whether I've been over the ton on the Valk I couldn't say for sure. I THINK I probably have but the speedo is the last thing I look at when going that fast.

[RainMaker]

Had the speedo reading 125mph going over the Indian Bridge into Oklahoma on a ride.  This is a spot where the crotch-rockets go flat out and I thought I'd see how well I kept up.  However, 125 indicated (probably about 120) was too fast and I pulled back even though there was plenty of throttle left.

Have been over 100 a few more times, the latest chasing down Sparky51 when he missed the turn at the Texas Hill Country ride.

But I don't make a habit of it.

[Master Blaster]

Big Al and I came out of the east Tennessee mountains just yesterday and we was lettin' them roll. I love ridin' fast  

Fastest I've ever been was 166 and still pullin' when I let off.

Me too Joe, although I am getting a little old for this stuff.  Did get my ZX14 to 180 and was still climbing.  I think the Valk likes 85 or so to get into its comfort zone.  Havent pushed the Concours14 yet, but believe it wont be far behind the ZX.   What is scary is running the twistys and glancing at the speedo mid corner and see how fast you are going.  The 180 was bythe speedo, but I do have a speedo healer installed due to changing out the front sprocket.

[old2soon]

Triple digits whenever i want.   Just something i've been doing for a long time.   I've always been comfortable at speeds in excess of any that are posted.   As long as i'm driving and not a passenger.   I am most likely the worlds worst passenger.   I pick my spots but the spots may not pick me.   I think part of it is when i was growing up i had access to fast cars fast boats and fast motorcycles. I'll be 67 next month and still enjoy speed.   It may be the death of me(speed) but if it is i had a good time. RIDE SAFE.

[BF]

I've bounced it off of a 100 exactly three times.  Twice just to see it do it and to know that it could....and once with the wife on board.  

The time with the wife on the back, I honestly didn't realize that I'd wound it up that tight untill the wife started screaming WOO HOO, WOO HOO and I looked down at the speedo and saw it climb over 95.  

Untill that moment, I'd never realized that after more than 35 years of marriage that I was married to such a speed freak.  

I don't need to do that ever again as it's sufficient enough just to know that it'll do a 100 easy enough if I ever want or need it to do it ever again.  

[Daniel Meyer]

Somewhere around the high 90s they stop looking at the speedo.   

 

[Devl]

the 1st weekend I had the Spyder...in Tucumcari....coming back from lunch run...I was passing an 18 wheeler with 2 Harleys and 3 Valks behind me...2 lane hwy with lotz of room...I waited for the right time...I could see for miles...just as I was passing the truck...95mph....scared the poo out of me...but everyone got around the truck......

No...say it ain't soooo!  CHARLYNE   you crazy girl
All kidding aside, I'm proud of ya
My Spyder seems to have an excellent cruising speed of about 80, Bob says 85...I don't know...felt like a good speed   Yes, I must slow down some this summer and be good, he has lectured me enuf about it 

 

[Hoser]

115 two up once when I was passing a group of bikes doing 5 under the speed limit, I was running out of room, the wife didn't even notice.  Hoser  

[musclehead]

110 once, if I go ZIP-SPLAT? well there might just be enough left to fill a regular coffin instead of a 'husky' sized one 

[BigAl]

128 on my Tourer.

115 on my Interstate.

145 on my Kawi ZRX1200R, it would pull 95 in second not even on the rev limiter.

A ZX10 will do 95 in frst gear and hit the rev limiter.

95 on a KLR 650.

90 on the Fat Boy.

100 on the Electraglide. For over 3 miles.

Yes they will do it , but if you do it a lot, you won't last long until catastrophe strikes.

[Tropic traveler]

Been whatever speed that the needle is pointing exactly in the 3 o'clock position. Just a quick glance before I backed it down.
Did a triple digit with Kim on the back one time. My back paid the price on that one courtesy of Kim's fists. 
Took the black n' silver to triples once just to verify the smoothness of the DynaBeads. They passed.

[RoadKill]

When I went to pick up my new to me Interstate, the seller was chatting with me about when he had bought it.

The man from whom he bought the bike told him, "You know, this bike will do a hundred easily."

"Not with me aboard!" he retorted.

This morning I was behind a cage going sixty-five on a two lane.  I thought he should have been doing seventy.  When the traffic cleared, I dropped into fourth gear and moved out around him.  As I pulled back into the right lane I glanced down and I was just passing ninety-five indicated.

I've heard (or read) others say they've ridden their Valkyries for years and never gone over a hundred miles per hour.  Now anyone who knows me will tell you I ride like someone's grandmother and it makes me wonder, how do they do it?   ???

I think they went to the Fudgie riding school! When I was in the Ray Charles MC safety course,that Stevie Wonder kid rode faster than that!        

[bscrive]

I wouldn't even think about doing that fast.  My luck a cop would get me on radar and I need my license too much.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

the Black Pearl would go 70 without even trying.

Honda Valkyrie rolling on down the road	powered by Aeva

The wife's bike is a bit faster.

136mph.MOV	powered by Aeva

[texaninsouthfl]

I've bounced it off of a 100 exactly three times.  Twice just to see it do it and to know that it could....and once with the wife on board.  

The time with the wife on the back, I honestly didn't realize that I'd wound it up that tight untill the wife started screaming WOO HOO, WOO HOO and I looked down at the speedo and saw it climb over 95.  

Untill that moment, I'd never realized that after more than 35 years of marriage that I was married to such a speed freak.  

I don't need to do that ever again as it's sufficient enough just to know that it'll do a 100 easy enough if I ever want or need it to do it ever again.  

I think you're missing the boat here... you discovered a low effort way to guarantee giving your wife a "woo hoo!" moment... seems like you'd do that a lot just to keep her happy. 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Honestly I can't imagine. Whatever they have which gives them such iron will, I don't have. 

[R J]

Took MGM out over the dollar mark shortly after I bought it.

Just wanted to see if it would do it.

Speed isn't in my vocabulary anymore since I retired.

When I was working I was in a chase almost everyday.

We had the machines to do it on, Kawasaki 1000, and also the cars.

Some of my squad cars were:

Barracuda -  6 pak 440 - w/posi - squirrelly SOB on wet pavement.

AMX - 401 ci - with a pair of 4 barrels.

Belvedere - 426 Hemi   w/ cross ram manifold and 2 4-s - posi

Belvedere - 426  Hemi with a 4 bbl

Chrysler - Newport - 426 Hemi - 4 bbl - posi

Chrysler - Newport- 440 6 pak - Posi

Chrysler - Newport- 440 Dual 4 bbl - posi

Plymouth Road Runner - 440 Dual 4 bbl - posi.

Nash Ambassador - 6 cylinder 3 speed w/ overdrive.
(It would run faster in 2nd over than it would in 3rd.)

Buick - Special - The Hot Rod V/8    It was very hard on pistons.  I think it was called a nail-head, was too long ago to remember.

Chevrolet - Impala - I never found out what motor was in it, but that SOB would get up there quick and keep climbing.

Ford - Crown Vic - 4.7 Liter Fuelie.

Mercury - don't remember what engine it had.  I think it was the experimental Dual overhead cam engine, like about 425 cubes and right at 500 hp,

That is all I can remember now.

All of them except the Nash could get up to and over 100 in very short order.

It was fun to catch a speeder going the opposite direction in the Newport.  It looked like a blue/gray old ladies car.  The other driver asked what was in it.

Put of all of them, the Nash and the Newport's were the best driving and handling of the entire bunch.

CHP woke up on what to use for squad cars.    The hot engine stuff you could spin a 360 without 1/2 trying and that didn't help in a chase.

They also had a sheet load of Camaro's, Mustangs and etc.

They also learned how to use the Motorola.   LOL.

[Colin]

My Bumble Bee sees triple digits every time I ride her. Mind you we do have km's over her and not miles so that makes a difference.   

100kph = 60mph.

Mind you I have seen north of 160kph on a couple of occasions.

[Ice]

While still in Germany, my buddy and I were comming back from Italy via Switzerland (stricktly enforced speed limits    ), and once we hit the German border we punched it, he had an ST and me on the Valk we were at a constant speed of 135+ with an occasional 140 MPH, rode total of about 90 miles that way.  That said, it is not a whole lot of fun to keep that speed on the Valk, it beats the tar out of you. Nowadays I enjoy the slower speeds, but that occasional adrenaline rush of passing someone near triple digits does make me smile...

[Jack]

Been over the c-mark many times with/without passenger.  Not the smartest thing to do but could not resist.  Don't know that I will ever do it again.  I feel more vulnerable now for some reason.

[Steven W.]

I would never go over the posted speed limit!  In fact this morning coming home from work (about 75 miles to Dahlonega from the hospital) I leisurely cruised and made it home in 63 minutes.  Oh, and I don't own any handguns either..........

[MP]

Been up over the 100 mark many times.  On GPS. 110 to 115 on speedo.

MP

[bigguy]

Been over the c-mark many times with/without passenger.  Not the smartest thing to do but could not resist.  Don't know that I will ever do it again.  I feel more vulnerable now for some reason.

Same here. I've bumped it for a short distance on a lonely straight road. 105 indicated on speedo is my top on the Valk. I hit 115 indicated on the Magna once. That did NOT feel stable. I had a 2002 V92TC Deluxe from Victory a couple of years ago. I hit 110 on it with out realizing I was doing it. Headed west on I-30 from Little Rock to Texarkana on the way home. I started noticing I was passing cars that had passed me earlier. Looked down at the speedo and realized that I'd been gaining speed. Just eased into it without realizing it. Lucky I noticed before an LEO did.

[Rams]

Triple digits whenever i want.   Just something i've been doing for a long time.   I've always been comfortable at speeds in excess of any that are posted.   As long as i'm driving and not a passenger.   I am most likely the worlds worst passenger.   I pick my spots but the spots may not pick me.   I think part of it is when i was growing up i had access to fast cars fast boats and fast motorcycles. I'll be 67 next month and still enjoy speed.   It may be the death of me(speed) but if it is i had a good time. RIDE SAFE.

Oh yeah, I remember well doing such things.  Got pulled or, maybe I should say I saw the lights in the distance and slowed down/pulled over knowing I couldn't out run that radio but, was stopped for doing 164 on my old KZ1000.  Thought I was going to jail, probably should have but, the deputy sheriff was a young guy and said he just wanted to see what would go that f--king fast.  His words, not mine.  Regardless, I posted earlier that my phat gurl hadn't seen triple digits and to my knowledge, that's true.  I just don't have a need to do that any longer.  Not knocking those that feel the need for speed as long as they do it at the right place and time.   I have no doubt my gurl will do triple digits at the twist of the throttle and that seems to be enough for me.

I used to test fly helicopters, it was fun, dangerous and somewhat an ego trip.  I've had eight engine failures and landed safely without any additional damage.  I've done things in helicopters the Army said wasn't possible or safe and lived to tell it.   Well, except for having to quickly purchase new underwear.   Some folks are good, some just lucky and then there are those that aren't.  Regardless, we're all different.  Just keep the shiny side up.   

[czuch]

Held 135 for a while one day. I think the windshield prevented any faster. Fast enough for me.
When I was young and brave the Navy gave me a Phantom and a driver for the YA YAs.

[Daniel Meyer]

At 135 indicated, a Valk standard will go exactly 63 miles from full to reserve.

[donaldcc]

  Leaving Spearfish, outside Sturgis, last summer heading west to Cody on I-90 my buddy and I cruised 90 - 100 for one tank of gas.  Well one tank for me, he was on Triumph Thunderbird and I was ALWAYS the guy needing to stop first.

  Worst mileage ever, but very smooth.  We passed a lot of motorcycles that day.  Best mileage ever was a day or two later cruising through Yellowstone at 30 - 40 mph.