When you can't do 75 mph...

ep · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:19 pm Post subject: When you can't do 75 mph...

and the cages are piling up behind you, does it make you wish for a bigger bike?

My wife and I were travelling on a faster road yesterday (her bike does 55 tops, mine 65-70 on a good day) and we pulled over to let the anxious cars (and a few sportbikers) zoom past at well over the limit.

How do people go cross country (see other relevant post) and not get smooshed by trucks and speeding SUVs?

fasterspider · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:55 am Post subject:

People buy bigger touring bikes and leave their little toy motorcycles in the garage.
I honestly think if an old bike does not have at least 750cc, it does not belong on the highway/freeway.

hondacustom · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject:

mopeds and yamaha 650 vstars go the back roads,

gaj55 · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:21 pm Post subject:

I agree, The best defense is a strong offense when it comes to cagers and four lane highways. We were riding back to Ashland OH for our hotel from mid-Ohio raceway Sat night and while I am not advocating speeding - if we couldn't have done 75 to 80, it was dusk, - I would have been worried. My 919 likes 72 to 78 for cruising and that usually will work.

I do enjoy my small bikes on the open road. I just try to put the speedometer on 55 to 65 - slower on the back rodes. I like a good whiff of roadkill - I mean new mown hay - as I ride.

Barchetta · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject:

650BILL · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject:

Learned my lesson in late 70's, when I lived in Monterey, CA.....one year I rode my '72CB350 to Fremont, CA to see NHRA Nationals. My eyes were blurred for 2 days just trying to keep up w/everybody on the freeways........a year later, same trip on my CB500F, kept up w/everybody, and smooth as can be. U GOTTA HAVE A FOUR OR MORE FOR SPEED OR DISTANCE.650bill

Fontana22 · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject:

I won't take my 350 on the expressway. First of all, I've only been riding in the city for a year, so I do not consider myself as experienced as I'd like to be. Second of all, when it hits 62-65 MPH it gets a wobble that scares the shit out of me. Speed limits on expressways are 70 MPH so I just avoid them on it.

Barchetta · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:10 pm Post subject:

Like I said everyone is different. I did just over 100 miles this morning. I maintained 70-85. It's the speed of traffic around Toronto. I have gone from toronto to Boucette Quebec on a day trip. (150miles north of Ottawa.) The only thing I'd say wasn't quit right on the return trip was the spark advancer heating up and sticking a bit. It didn't idle well after a really long haul. After a coffee and a smoke it was fine.

650BILL, I agree, my eyeballs do go funny too. Shocked

That's not a joke, they do. I can see how that fact alone would steer people away from a cb350. Riding the bike is tiring. If I'm gonna do 5-600miles in a day, it's not a relaxing ride down the country road. It's a personal test of will. As I said, I'm short and thin. I've seen a 6'2" man riding a 400/4 (about the same size) and I admit he looked silly going down the road stretching his legs. Laughing

Again I have to say, for me the bike rocks. If I was normal sized 6' 185lbs, maybe I would be on a 550. I'm 5'7" 123lbs, and all year I've tried to come up with a reason to buy a bigger bike, but I decided that the bike I have suits me. I was going to do the Bore-Tech big bore trick, but I think just new 324cc pistons will do, rings .25 over. New gaskets, seals, electronic ignition, teflon cam chain tentioner and the cam chain from Bore Tech should be enough to re-new it. Plus any valves, springs, or what ever they find when they crack it and measure everything.

I've had people tell me that my bike sucks, won't go 90mph, I'll get blown around on windy days, going on the highway is "SUICIDE" Neo. I don't have much money, very little ego, I like old bikes, I'm small, I really do like riding. I like seeing the face of the big rig drivers as my little 36 year old bike rips past them. I've got the parts and the cash for a motor rebuild, but waiting for winter to get the "winter deal" from the shop, so I'm not taking it easy on the motor. I kick it and ride it like I stole it because I know the motor is going to be rebuilt. This is just my opinion, from my point of view. I understand that all riders are different. I didn't think I'd be happy with a cb350 for more than 1 season, but my bike proved me wrong. Very Happy

reserected · Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 6:57 am Post subject:

hey barchetta, keep rock'in dude. your absolutely right about whats comfortable to ride. i have a '85 yamaha xj 700 maxim (not the water cooled x ) and its got lots of power. i can easily smoke many 750's of that year!....but,i'm not comfortable on such a small bike. at 5'7" and 160 it's not about my size, i just like to have more power on hand with two on board. it's all about the ride and if you feel great...there is NO reason to change.

roncieri313 · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:31 am Post subject:

Barchetta...love your dogs!...I have Boston too but she'd never still for a photo like that.

archangel · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject:

Bike Size is important. I ride a 1981 honda cb650c I weigh in at a womping 130 lbs and I am 5' 9"
I can set on the bike and be flat footed on the ground so the highth is right for me the weight is another thing. I have got used to the heaver bike, I wanted a smaller bike at first becuse this is my first bike. But the price was right so now I have the 650cc should say 649cc Laughing

The bike has the speed to ride the expressway no problem I have only tryed to get it up to 75 mph
no problem only hit around 5400 rpm .
Although the wind is a bear to deal with for a new rider and the semis have quite the suction thing going for them. last week i got in between two simis before I knew it they had sucked me up there speed 10 miles faster that the posted speed I was going . what a rush... Cool

and ya I slowed down to get out from the middle of them because it is just dumb to stay there unless you want to be caned soup. Shocked

Barchetta · Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 8:21 pm Post subject:

roncieri313

Thanks for the dog comment. My dogs are known for how well they're trained, they won't go on the street, unless you say heel. I lost a dog to a car 30 years ago. I vowed not to have another till I had the time to train. Since they can't go on the street, the only thing they can do is sit there on the bike. Laughing

reserected

I think that's my attitude exactly, "it's all about the ride and if you feel great...there is NO reason to change."

I'm new to the forum, I'm no pro, I don't know it all, and I don't want to sound like I do. I was sure that this was a short term bike when I bought it. I didn't think I'd be happy with a 324cc. For what my motor is going to cost me this winter, I thought about selling the bike and moving up, but I can't. The smile per mile factor is way too high. Very Happy

roncieri313 · Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 8:42 pm Post subject:

My son loves this picture (of your dogs)...mine loses her mind and any training we've instilled goes totally out the window when she sees a chipmunk or a squirrel...not to turn this into a post on Boston's but they are the way coolest dogs...especially ones that ride motorcycles!

Barchetta · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 10:36 am Post subject:

archangel · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 4:15 pm Post subject:

I have not tryed to see 90mph on the bike but I am sure it could do it no problem.
knowing it will is good enough for me .
and the 75 was in a 50 mile zone gess I should slow down.