Valkyrie standard top speed

[Thulsa Doom]

My neighbor was telling me of a time he went 150+ on a 1198 Ducati and that got me wondering what my own bike's top speed would be.
 
I once got her up to 110 with the windshield on out on a deserted wide stretch of highway but there's not much space here in Rhode Island or southeastern Massachusetts to push that much harder. Pretty sure I'd have gotten there quicker and even higher without the windshield.
So has anyone here ever got their bike up to where there just isn't any more?

[3fan4life]

I've seen 130mph on the speedo of my Interstate.

I didn't keep it there long.

I'm sure that it had more to give but I'm not sure how much more.   

[santa]

125 chasing a Porsha on I65 had to slow down to make exit. She had more in her.
Santa

[Former BMW Guy]

I did 70 once on I-35

JP

[Rams]

Promised myself that if I got her, I'd try really hard to never take her or let her take me into triple digits.  So far I've been successful. 

I'm not sure I'd trust the factory speedo to be all that accurate.  I'd at least verify with a GPS unit or maybe you can get proof from a local LEO.    Windshield off will get you higher speeds.   If you have bags, take them off also.  Let us know how it turns out.  Additionally, if you choose the LEO route to get your proof, PM me prior to posting the evidence assuming they allow you that option.

[old2soon]

130 on my I/S by the speedo. I've had her at 105-110 lotsa times. Can't say fer sure if there was a"lot"left or not. RIDE SAFE.

[Oss]

at 115 I felt she was going to go where she wanted and not
where I wanted so I eased up

I think real top speed for an interstate is between 135 and 140

[Serk]

When my Valk was a lot newer and I was a lot younger I got to an indicated 135... However, now that I've got a GPS, the highest GPS validated speed I've gotten her to is 114 I believe, and she was outta steam there. I didn't look to see exactly where the speedo indicated, but as we all know Honda speedos read rather fast, and the faster you go the further from reality they tend to get.

I tend to take just about any claims of top end speed from anyone that doesn't have trap timings, GPS readings or a High Performance Driving Certificate issued by the local Revenue Generation Force to back it up with a BIG grain of salt.

Not that it really matters, as long as no one gets hurt and you have fun, that's what it's about, right?

[3fan4life]

When my Valk was a lot newer and I was a lot younger I got to an indicated 135... However, now that I've got a GPS, the highest GPS validated speed I've gotten her to is 114 I believe, and she was outta steam there. I didn't look to see exactly where the speedo indicated, but as we all know Honda speedos read rather fast, and the faster you go the further from reality they tend to get.

I tend to take just about any claims of top end speed from anyone that doesn't have trap timings, GPS readings or a High Performance Driving Certificate issued by the local Revenue Generation Force to back it up with a BIG grain of salt.

Not that it really matters, as long as no one gets hurt and you have fun, that's what it's about, right?

With 110 on the speedo I've seen 103 on the GPS.

I haven't been over 110 with the GPS on in a while, so I don't know about the difference at higher speeds.

[Stanley Steamer]

I got my fully loaded I/S into a high speed wobble at 124mph (GPS)...was 130ish Speedo.......after passing a couple of Hardley's.......

[3fan4life]

      ???                                         

    It's a "GUY" thing you wouldn't understand.     

[Titan]

Serk - "High Performance Driving Certificate issued by the local Revenue Generation Force"

[Redline +]

2002 Standard, Tourer shield, Interstate bags, fully loaded with tall t-bag headed for Inzane 2009. Did some testing crossing Utah, 137 indicated, still climbing but very slowly, it was about done so I backed off. I would think my bike stripped to basic Standard issue would reach 140+ indicated.

[sandy]

Back in '03 I went to the Long Beach Motorcycle show. In the parking lot I met a man who raced a Valk at Bonneville. He had a 120 lb woman do the riding. Stock bike hit 132 in the traps.

[Pappy!]

Hey Redline.....Nice color combination!

[R J]

When I 1st worked on the engine in MGM, modifications, don't ask what as I no say, I got the speedo to 140, GPS said 122.

So my speedo is off 18 MPH on top end.   

PS:    MGM was all done then also....

I've noticed over the years it also depends on what tire you have on the front makes the speedo vary.     Worst was Dunlop, Metz, and a stupid bias tire I had there for awhile.     A sharp rock in Northern Montana cut a 9" slice in the face.   It lost air in less than 3 seconds.

Closest bike shop only had this bias tire, but I had them put it on anyway.   It lasted 2 more long trips and it was trash.

[Redline +]

Hey Redline.....Nice color combination!

Nice to see another 2002 red stripe Valk. Not many of these were produced.

[PhredValk]

I saw 135 once on my 99 IS. Didn't have a GPS at the time, so I don't know actual.
Fred.

[DirtyDan]

138........once

dan

[bogator]

I get a skip at 115, but it will do that in a hurrrrrrrry,   --------GOD BLESS--------

[fordmano]

Got nervous after I passed 125+ indicated on my I/S, she was still pulling slowly but still pulling. It was at 04:30(dark:30) not staright highway in Deer country (as it is in my area, maybe a few a week).

[Hoser]

I had to hustle it when I misjudged the length of a passing lane once.  I was going around a group of bikes and was running out of room.  115 two up was it.  Rock solid, though.  Hoser  

[Doc809]

I have a dyno print out of my 99 std at 146 but that is without my fat #$$%^ on her and not pushing wind.

[Black Dog]

'97 Standard...  Seen 115 - 120 a few times, with room to go further (indicated, no GPS), but I bring her down real quick when one word flashes through my mind...

DEER   

Hitting the pavement at that speed wouldn't be fun 

Black Dog

[Fritz The Cat]

I hit 90mph once on I-75 getting away from a semi I accidentally pulled in front of.

[czuch]

A gal who was passenger in the group dropped her glove. A few of us went back to get it.
I decided the fastest way back to the group was to go fast. A couple of the guys gave "That look" and we were off. I wound each gear to redline and was soon alone. 97 Tourer was maxxed at 136 on the speedo and 6K on the tach. I'll bet the gas wasnt touching the sides of the float bowl.
It was just as smoothe as 35 mph. When we pulled over with the group the other guys said they tried to keep up but it was no use. I needed bigger doors for a while. Long straight dry flat road.
No cops, but if I hit anything we were both gonna die.
First and last time for the Valk. I like the speed limit just fine.

[henry 008]

i was told that a "limiter" kicked in between 145-150 and wouldn't allow the valk to climb any higher.  i have yet to reach 100. too many varmints crossing the roads around here.

[cookiedough]

Any of you going the 120+ mph,  did the front end seem light or not?  I haven't had the need for speed over 100 mph yet on the Valk, but when younger and more stupid,  my Honda Magna front wheel at 110 mph sure seemed to loose weight and felt awfully light with a little steering wobble.  I could've at the time picked a smoother road though to go that fast, but was young and stupid.  Now just old(er) and stupid.

I would bet speedo top end would read around 140 mph but actually GPS speed in the 127-132 range all depends at that speed on weight of driver, accessories off bike like bags/windshield, and amount of wind since aerodynamics at that speed make a few mph difference for sure.  I have no passion to go over 100 mph anymore but sure have seen the 85-90 mph range several times.  

[Master Blaster]

About 135 indicated seems to be the average, you will get there faster by maxing out in fourth gear.  Of course indicated is around plus 10 mph over actual.  If you really want to go fast, get a Busa or ZX14.  Had my ZX to 180 was still pulling hard.  I have a speedohealer installed and confident that indicated was very close.  Either of these rockets are capable of 200 with minimum mods.  Unlike the Valk, those 800-1000 mile days would be and exercise of pure torture, after 3-4 hours you need to stop and extract the machine out of your ass.

[bigguy]

I've had my tourer up to 120. That's when the carbon based poultry related rev-limiter kicked in. Felt like she still had quite a bit left.

[Gryphon Rider]

I've done 200 indicated.

[Serk]

I've done 200 indicated.

Converting that from the kommies per hour to the proper Miles per hour, that's 124 MPH, just FYI...



In the wise words of Grandpa Simpson -- "The metric system is the tool of the devil! My car gets 40 rods to the hogshead and that's the way I likes it."

[old2soon]

Any of you going the 120+ mph,  did the front end seem light or not?  I haven't had the need for speed over 100 mph yet on the Valk, but when younger and more stupid,  my Honda Magna front wheel at 110 mph sure seemed to loose weight and felt awfully light with a little steering wobble.  I could've at the time picked a smoother road though to go that fast, but was young and stupid.  Now just old(er) and stupid.

I would bet speedo top end would read around 140 mph but actually GPS speed in the 127-132 range all depends at that speed on weight of driver, accessories off bike like bags/windshield, and amount of wind since aerodynamics at that speed make a few mph difference for sure.  I have no passion to go over 100 mph anymore but sure have seen the 85-90 mph range several times.  

My experience was steady for 130 M P H indicated. I was NOT moving around on her at that speed. And i realize that if ANYTHING goes wrong at that speed-roll or two of paper towels and a stick and a can for cleanup. RIDE SAFE.

[Chrisj CMA]

I've had my tourer up to 120. That's when the carbon based poultry related rev-limiter kicked in. Felt like she still had quite a bit left.

If you felt a  power stumble in 5th gear at 120 indicated, it was not the rev limiter

[Gryphon Rider]

I've done 200 indicated.

Converting that from the kommies per hour to the proper Miles per hour, that's 124 MPH, just FYI...

Ssssssshhhhhhhh...

[Gryphon Rider]

I've had my tourer up to 120. That's when the carbon based poultry related rev-limiter kicked in. Felt like she still had quite a bit left.

If you felt a  power stumble in 5th gear at 120 indicated, it was not the rev limiter

That's technical jargon for chickening out. 

[bassman]

Always enjoyed this article and also chatting with Dragbars at Inzane......

http://www.timskelton.com/valkyrie/gen_interest/bonnevalk.htm

[Jeff K]

http://jkozloski.com/Links/Honda%20Valkyrie%20-%20Speed%20and%20RPMs%20Table.htm

[donaldcc]

  there are some roads in the desert with not a single turn, no traffic and no wildlife where i have gone very FAST! 

[czuch]

Cookiedough;
She was the same all the way through. I didnt notice any lightening at all in the front once acceleration levelled off.