85 mph Speed Limit in Central Texas

[donaldcc]

  Wow!  Pretty fast.  I could cruise along at 95.  There goes the gas mileage down to about 25 mpg.

MODIFY:  here is the link.  sorry, sometimes i'm a dumb a$$

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/09/07/160764486/texas-road-will-inaugurate-85-mph-speed-limit-nations-highest

[musclehead]

it might be less, the last big road trip I took I was cooking along at 80+ and only got 25MPG for the whole 6,000 miles 

[donaldcc]

  I think the fastest i went through a couple of tanks was about 90 and only got 21 - 22 mpg.  but it was fun! desert backroads without any traffic and the same on freeway in wyoming.

[musclehead]

  I think the fastest i went through a couple of tanks was about 90 and only got 21 - 22 mpg.  but it was fun! desert backroads without any traffic and the same on freeway in wyoming.

I super slabbed it all the way. I'd pull off fuel up and then pass the same 18 wheelers I just passed a while ago. then repeat. I passed the same big rig 3 times before I got far enough ahead of it to stay ahead. 
high speed and smooth power is an intoxicating combo.

[YoungPUP]

Well atleast accident cleanups on that stretch of road will be easy. Just a quick hosing off and she's as good as new.

[Jess from VA]

Last trip thru Texas, I was departing the Air Force in SoCA for VA ('92).  El Paso to Dallas, I was the only car on the road out in a flat moonscape;  SS El Camino, cranking.  The wife says I think I saw a cop on the over pass back there.  Uh oh, I look in the rear view, and see lights on the horizon, look down at the speed at 90, oh sh!t.  Let off the gas and look back in the mirror and he's already right behind me.  Holy crap, what kind of car is that?  

It was still a time when you got out of the car as a sign of respect, and this big old boy 6'3" 275 with a Stetson crawls out from behind the wheel of some NASCAR looking Camaro or other GM model, running rough as hell at idle with a big cam shaking the hood, and headers thrumming.  I told him I really liked his car, and he said he liked it too with a big grin.  I asked if this was a deal where I had to follow him to town to pay the ticket before leaving the state, and he frowned and asked, why, aren't you going to pay it?  I said no of course I'd pay it.  Saw we were packed full of stuff, and told him I was just out of service, and he knocked 10MPH off the ticket.  Never saw a better pursuit vehicle.

85 is cool.  

[BigChris99]

Gotta love Texas......... 85 is cool!

[Oss]

on I90 between gas station west of Kadoka and Keystone riding along in front of and behind
a beemer with those steel bags (we took turns passing each other)
was 88 miles  4.1 gallons  about 22 mpg  Speed 95  

( yes for those who know me ..... less entering the turns  95 once in it accelerating out)


Over a 600 mile run does the 90mph really get you there faster than 80 if you only get 23 at 90 and get 28 at 80   I am not so great with math   Where is the break even point  I usually stop at 150miles for gas/drink/bathroom/stretch and walk

[Patrick]

' Accident clean-ups '..  A few years ago while heading back north in early May we were on the expressway in Miami at about 2AM.. Traffic very light.. We were running at about 75-80 [truck] and these 2 lights were gaining on us in our lane like crazy.. Those lights split and 2 bikes went by us like we were standing still,, these guys were flying.. A short time later we started seeing some emergency lights starting to come on the expressway and right after that the bikes and related parts were scattered all over the highway.. So were the 2 bodies,, they hadn't been covered up yet.. What a mess those kids left.. The human body contains a lot more red stuff than you realize..

[JimmyG]

Hmmmm, I got 39.47 MPG yesterday, two up,  of course I only drove an average of 60MPH all day. some at 75 and some at 45, etc.  I've been putting in an ounce of magic ingredient every fill up lately and the fat girl seems to like it.   

[miscott]

Hmmm, Magic Ingredient? Soooo, you gonna tell us? Eye of Newt, 2 Bat Wings and 1 Dragon's Talon?
Anybody ever use Marvel Mystery Oil in their gas? I know a Chemical Engineer that swears by the stuff, in his car. 4 oz's per 20 gal. Never heard of anybody running it in a Bike though? Anyone with any thoughts on the feasibility of using it in a Valk?

[alph]

more proof that there ISN'T a fuel shortage.  (remember back in the 70's the Feds forced us all to drive 55 to conserve fuel)

this last summer, NITRO and i went across south dakota, speeds set at 80, we were averaging 21mpg on a couple tanks of fuel.  it sucked having to fill up every 100 miles or so.....  we were fighting a hell of a head wind!! 

[steve 3054]

I have three girls to keep rode so I put 2 oz of Stabil and 1 oz of MMO in every tank...not sure when I will be back to ride one of the other two.  My fat gurl is my bike of choice.  Once I had John do my carbs I swore I would never do that again...

[cookiedough]

Hmmm, Magic Ingredient? Soooo, you gonna tell us? Eye of Newt, 2 Bat Wings and 1 Dragon's Talon?
Anybody ever use Marvel Mystery Oil in their gas? I know a Chemical Engineer that swears by the stuff, in his car. 4 oz's per 20 gal. Never heard of anybody running it in a Bike though? Anyone with any thoughts on the feasibility of using it in a Valk?

I've used MMO a few times seems to not hurt anything at all in the gas, and actually seems to help clean up the deposits/crap some.

[Master Blaster]

Once on I/S 10 Beaumont to Houston with a headwind, was running 100+ just to keep up with traffic and keep from getting run over.  Got 17 MPG, but it wasnt much fun.  Traffic was almost bumper to bumper and crazy. 

[musclehead]

Once on I/S 10 Beaumont to Houston with a headwind, was running 100+ just to keep up with traffic and keep from getting run over.  Got 17 MPG, but it wasnt much fun.  Traffic was almost bumper to bumper and crazy. 

uhhhh wow, I'd get off and find a nice quiet two lane somewhere 

[GreenLantern57]

Had some concerns about a 3 digit road getting 85mph until I read it was going to be a toll road. So that means limited access. Supposedly studied so it can be deamed safe at  85, but from what I read into it, the state of Texas gets more money if the 85mph speed limit is approved.  Guess which MIGHT be the deciding factor to approve 85?

[~ Timbrwolf]

. . ...Thats nothin. ..Speed Limit was 110 mph in Minnesota last week. ...well ....for Chili n me anyway..  

[fiddle mike]

I don't think this is all that new, I may be mistaken but I think I saw 85 mph signs in West Texas a couple years ago. Driving at 85 is certainly nothing new, in Texas.
I've always wanted to see what kind of mileage my Valk would get if I do the posted speed limit but, so far, I've been afraid I'd be run over if I slowed down that much.  

[Tx Bohemian]

I don't think this is all that new, I may be mistaken but I think I saw 85 mph signs in West Texas a couple years ago. Driving at 85 is certainly nothing new, in Texas.

A couple of years ago, before the 75mph signs, we were coming back from Midland and west of Kerrville on I-10 there was Speed Limit signs that had "80" on them.  Threw me for a loop as I've never seen them before and at my age remembering the Gas crunch "55mph" signs.

I've always wanted to see what kind of mileage my Valk would get if I do the posted speed limit but, so far, I've beef afraid I'd be run over if I slowed down that much.   

That's funny (and ever so true).
If I average 70 my bike gets 32-33 but if I keep it around 60 it jumps up to 46-47. Will be intresting to see at 85!
Not that big a deal for me as I like to stop every 100, or so, miles to streach and P.

[flcjr]

85 used to be the norm around here. There was no speed limit but thats about what everyone did on the freeway. Alittle slower on two lane depending on road and traffic. But our state gov. caved into fed pressure to post a spped limit so they did. bunch of cowards   There is a section in s. utah that is 85 on the freeway for awhile. I have driven it a few times on the way to Vegas.

[fiddle mike]

85 used to be the norm around here. There was no speed limit but thats about what everyone did on the freeway. Alittle slower on two lane depending on road and traffic. But our state gov. caved into fed pressure to post a spped limit so they did. bunch of cowards   There is a section in s. utah that is 85 on the freeway for awhile. I have driven it a few times on the way to Vegas.

Back when the Feds forced the 55 mph limit, the head of Texas DPS said his guys would write tickets for speeding, but not for reckless driving (15 mph over).  He reasoned that roads with a 70mph limit had been designed to be traveled safely at even higher speeds.

I have no use for a state rep  who gives up bit of the Constitution to the Feds, including right to make traffic law.

[shooter64]

It would be awful to have a Harley. Running wide open at 82.

[GreenLantern57]

The Valk purrs at 80, 85, 90, 95.   

[WamegoRob]

While I'd love to have the freedom to legally ride faster, an important point seems to have been missed here; the private builders of this private toll road agreed to give $100 million in exchange for bumping the speed limit to 85mph while making it more attractive to use it by lowering the adjacent highway speed to 55mph.

[fiddle mike]

While I'd love to have the freedom to legally ride faster, an important point seems to have been missed here; the private builders of this private toll road agreed to give $100 million in exchange for bumping the speed limit to 85mph while making it more attractive to use it by lowering the adjacent highway speed to 55mph.

Well, sure, the idea of a toll road is to make money, after all, but the real attraction of toll roads is the absence of recaps and other debris.

[WamegoRob]

While I'd love to have the freedom to legally ride faster, an important point seems to have been missed here; the private builders of this private toll road agreed to give $100 million in exchange for bumping the speed limit to 85mph while making it more attractive to use it by lowering the adjacent highway speed to 55mph.

Well, sure, the idea of a toll road is to make money, after all, but the real attraction of toll roads is the absence of recaps and other debris.

Mike, I'm not arguing the purpose and worth of toll roads; I'm pointing out the Texas state government's interest in the profits of this private group.
It just doesn't seem like the sort of move I've come to expect from Texas.

[fiddle mike]

While I'd love to have the freedom to legally ride faster, an important point seems to have been missed here; the private builders of this private toll road agreed to give $100 million in exchange for bumping the speed limit to 85mph while making it more attractive to use it by lowering the adjacent highway speed to 55mph.

Well, sure, the idea of a toll road is to make money, after all, but the real attraction of toll roads is the absence of recaps and other debris.

Mike, I'm not arguing the purpose and worth of toll roads; I'm pointing out the Texas state government's interest in the profits of this private group.
It just doesn't seem like the sort of move I've come to expect from Texas.

Gotcha.

[fudgie]

Our toll road here has the worse debris on any I/S I been on. 

[flcjr]

85 used to be the norm around here. There was no speed limit but thats about what everyone did on the freeway. Alittle slower on two lane depending on road and traffic. But our state gov. caved into fed pressure to post a spped limit so they did. bunch of cowards   There is a section in s. utah that is 85 on the freeway for awhile. I have driven it a few times on the way to Vegas.

Back when the Feds forced the 55 mph limit, the head of Texas DPS said his guys would write tickets for speeding, but not for reckless driving (15 mph over).  He reasoned that roads with a 70mph limit had been designed to be traveled safely at even higher speeds.

I have no use for a state rep  who gives up bit of the Constitution to the Feds, including right to make traffic law.

Back when posted was 55 if you gotpulled over hear under 85 was a failure to conserve energy ticket cost$5. no moving violation. Then it moved to 75 then to reasonable and prudent,back to 75.

[fudgie]

465 around indy is 55 mph but you will get killed going that slow.  I got stopped for doing either 79 or 84 on the valk. No ticket. He said go 55.