What's your Valk cruiser speed?

[Westernbiker]

Just got back from Silverton Colorado last night. Beautiful country and PERFECT weather. Anyway, as I was riding (Fully packed with about 120 LBS of gear and riding two up) I was wondering ( while cruising across the Navajo Reservation) what cruise speed the Valk really liked. Ya know, I could NOT tell. 55 she is GREAT, 65 she is GREAT, 75 she is GREAT, 85 she is GREAT, I admit I did push 95 on her the day of our return but the 1500 Goldwing trike that was traveling with us got small real quick. So......I feel she is quite comfortable at any speed and is just as smooth as silk. What's your opinion?

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I've come to the same conclusion as you. She's comfortable at any speed !!

[Cruzen]

Ah!!! Silverton.  That must have been a great ride right up till you returned to this heat.  My lady and I were up in the Winslow, Holbrook, Canyon De Chelly area this weekend and dropped back down into the heat on Sunday. 

Our normal cruising speed is 75 though we did play around with 80-85 on I-40 for a while.  Very smooth ride.

[Bonzo]

I do Highway almost everyday,85 the bike is in its element. Smooth as silk and a joy to ride on! '97 Standard Darkside Cooper Zeon 2XS!

[BamaDrifter64]

My I/S loves to cruise at 5 mph above the posted speed limit....

Dave

[ChromeDome]

I usually run between 70 and 75 on the highway ... depending on traffic. But when I am heading back to Chicago from Cheeha or FCR and I need to make time I will run it up to around 80. Nice to know that whatever speed I want to go ... the Valk is ready to run.

[Oss]

I like to hear that turbine like harmonic whine that sometimes shows up between 60-70 or so as I accelerate

3000-4000 rpm is the bikes comfort zone in 5th  Unfortunately it does not match the economy zone which is around 45-55mph

[T-Bird]

My I/S loves to cruise at 5 mph above the posted speed limit....

Dave

With honda speedos usually being 5 mph too fast, your interstate is smart!

[Steve K (IA)]

Anywhere between 55 and 70 seem just right.

[rainman]

I like to hear that turbine like harmonic whine that sometimes shows up between 60-70 or so as I accelerate

3000-4000 rpm is the bikes comfort zone in 5th  Unfortunately it does not match the economy zone which is around 45-55mph

AMAN TO THAT
RAINMAN

[DIGGER]

My traveling speed when I'm trying to make time is around 80 mph.    However, my Valkyrie at 70 mph gets around 33 mpg on flat interstate.     When I speed up to 80 my mpg drops to about 26-27 mpg.

[Duey]

 

[Tropic traveler]

We have found that 2900 rpm which is about 67 mph {indicated on my speedo} feels right. Seems that speed is a good combo of decent fuel economy while eating up the miles comfortably. Kim's Valk seems to have a "happy" speedometer, reading 3-4 mph more than mine at 2900 rpm or so.  ???

[fudgie]

My throttle boss is set at 65 mph. So this is my constant speed. 75 is nice on the interstate. Its hard to see my speedo with my HD pouches on so I look once in a great while. My radar detector 'lets' me know when I need to look! I will occasionally get spurred in the side and it means speed up or pass.

[Momz]

My Valk and my wifes Wing safely cruise just fast enough to pass Harleys and leave them far behind.
We just can't help ouirselves!

[HotRod]

Well I guess I'm a speed demon, I love the hum at 85 90 on the interstate, 
Love to take the curves as fast as I can,safley mind you.

But I always back it down when Momma's on the back.

[SANDMAN5]

I usually ride a little above the posted limit or a touch faster than the flow of traffic.
I pay more attention to the rpm's than the speed. I love to hear the F6 growling along
at 2000-2500 rpm....although I do occasionally hit the redline for a few seconds.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

She seems very happy anywhere from 65 to 85. Above 85 to 95 seems a little busy but not enough to ruin the fun.

[Hoser]

My I/S loves to cruise at 5 mph above the posted speed limit....

Dave

   

[Brad]

I have noticed for some time now that my Valk has a problem cruising at freeway speed.  I drive my pickup to work if I have to carry tools or equipment and ride the bike when I don't have things to take.  In town the posted speed on the freeway is 65 mph.  When I drive the truck I am quite comfortable cruising right at 65.  I usually stay in the right or middle lane and have a nice leisurely drive to and from work.  When I am on the bike, I have a problem keeping it under 70 and usually cruise to and from work at 75 mph.  I also find that I have to use the far left lane as the other 2 are going too slow.  I have looked the bike over several times and can't find out what the problem is.   

[MP]

It is happy at 55.  It is happy at 90.  It is just a happy Fat Lady!

MP

[Willow]

I pay more attention to the rpm's than the speed. I love to hear the F6 growling along at 2000-2500 rpm....although I do occasionally hit the redline for a few seconds.

I'm not sure I know what mine would sound like cruising at 2500 or below.  I like to cruise between 35 and 37 although she is perfectly comfortable a couple thousand in either direction from that.   

[skromfols]

I went to the Laughlin River Run earlier this year, which is about 8 hours each way and kept the Valk at 75 - 80, because that was the groups riding speed.  What felt good was having the extra power when we came to mountains.  The Harleys were struggling when they had to speed up to pass trucks and busses when going up steep grades, but I didn't even need to down shift my Valk. 

A few weeks after returning I went on a mostly Harley Poker Run in the delta.  I was with a group of about 19 - 20 bikes, and started out in the back of the pack.  We came to a stretch of road with stop signs in the middle of nowhere and the guys in the front of the pack started playing Ricky Racer from stop sign to stop sign.  I hated to be left out, so reluctantly joined in the game   After 3 or 4 stop signs I was in the first 3 or 4 bikes, and would have gotten there sooner if there would have been fewer slow moving Harleys to negotiate around.  At the next stop a couple of the Harley guys came over to check out my bike and one made the comment "damn, that thing's fast".

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Usually just about whatever it takes, unless I'm following Motomama nad RHonda. When they're leading we all have to give it just a little more than it takes. Go figger.

Raymond

[eric in md]

well im a big kid still if it aint going 100 it aint moving o yeah love to cruise at 90 makes my face hurt ,,

[Cattman]

I'm not sure I know what mine would sound like cruising at 2500 or below.  I like to cruise between 35 and 37 although she is perfectly comfortable a couple thousand in either direction from that.   
[/quote]

Mine likes the 37-41 range or 85 indicated on the GPS. I try and keep it to where I'm only getting "Your going to get a ticket" once or twice an hour.

[Westernbiker]

I am laughing my a$$ off as I read through this thread!!! You all have a GREAT sense of humor!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the belly laughs!!!!!!!