Top comfortable speed on your K75,

[Oliver]

Im just curious because anytime I hear someone say they can get a k75 to 120 I call bullshit, basically Im worried if my bike is messed up because when pushing my bike as hard as I feel comfortable doing I can get to 90, not saying it cant do more but it scares the shit out of me thinking its bad for my engine. Im not scared of going fast just worried about my bike. It may come from taking my Honda cb350 on the highway praying when I had to but I just want to know If I should be looking for a way to give my bike some more power. Running all stock rt wishing to do the ton comfortably. Please give me a reality check. ha

Cheers

[Chaos]

The engine is the last thing I worry about, deer and tickets much more of a problem around here.  If you want more speed loose that barndoor RT fairing, it's a little much for a k75 to push through the air.

[Oma Aika]

Like Chaos - I'm not worried about engine at all but my driving license... (maximum speed limit here is 75 mph / 120 km/h)

[motodude]

These engines (100's too) will run close to the rev-limiter all day long.  The higher you rev them, the more power they make.

That being said, I do notice a significant mileage drop off around 80 mph.  That, coupled with the risk of having to converse with law enforcement, 70+ is the maximum I prefer to run. But, it has nothing to do with the capabilities of the engine.

Tom

[Oliver]

Ill be ripping that fairing off with in the next few weeks. On the highway here its pretty normal to be running 85+ I think after 90 you might get pulled over. That being said when im up at 85 im around 5500 to 6000 rpms and it just sounds like its really working, so if you say thats what the engine likes then okay you have put my mind at ease. Also I feel the power band really sags around that area, so 120 sounds ridiculous to me. Thanks for the info, keep the polls coming

[roninvt]

My bike seems to like cruising in the 70-90 range.  I try to keep her in the low 70's, cuz of LEO but 80+ comes easy.  Never been much over 100 on this bike and it felt like I could run there for hours.

[Grim]

Speedometers on these K's are notorious for being WAY off. Usually reading high. My bike is 6-7% off. Easy to correct but unless Duck had it (highly likely on the west coast) it's probably off.

Search speedometer correction and you should find a couple posts on how to true it up.

[cmichael]

I have got my 'naked' k up to 110ish on the speedo.  I was tucked in and pretty much stripped.  While cruising and loaded 80ish is enough.  I bet the fairing is the biggest impediment.

[mjydrafter]

Speedometers on these K's are notorious for being WAY off. Usually reading high. My bike is 6-7% off. Easy to correct but unless Duck had it (highly likely on the west coast) it's probably off.

Search speedometer correction and you should find a couple posts on how to true it up.

Before I corrected mine, I would be doing an indicated 70, and get passed like crazy.  I think it was like easily 10% off, to the high side.  Now it's a bit fast at 65, by 1 or 2 mph verified by GPS.

To answer the question mine just settles in really nice at an indicated 70, and I've had it up around 90-100.

[roninvt]

Ya my speedo runs 3-5 mph high.  Theoretically it helps me not get tickets...though i just got a 20 over!!   i use my gps if I really need to know.

[Oma Aika]

Speedometers on these K's are notorious for being WAY off. Usually reading high. My bike is 6-7% off. Easy to correct but unless Duck had it (highly likely on the west coast) it's probably off.

Search speedometer correction and you should find a couple posts on how to true it up.

Really? I've been lucky then, my speedometer shows almost exactly same speed as my gps. Max 1 km/h difference. Maybe it's because this was an ex-police-bike?

[DangerD1967]

I am no speed demon usually sitting at around 4mph over my calculated estimated speed in regards to speed limit, but my daily commute offers a truly stunning opportunity to let it all out headed home after a stressful restaurant job. I cross the scenic Cumberland River enjoy a well banked turn and out in front of me is 7 straight miles of good pavement with a big concrete center divide and not a single hiding spot for the police. Without the side bags on and in a good tuck she will max out at 122 and then I back off to hit my exit safely. Top speed for any extended period (10+miles) is usually around 85, but for me; The joy of being on my bike at 70mph with no fear of having to stop and talk to someone I probably won't like, is enough for me!!!!

[Rickman]

I feel most comfortable around 80-85 and the bike gets around 50mpg. I did 100 for 90 miles one day and only got 39mpg. 110 is all I've taken her to and only for a moment, the bike handles it well, but I don't need a ticket. . .

[wmax351]

I feel most comfortable around 80-85 and the bike gets around 50mpg. I did 100 for 90 miles one day and only got 39mpg. 110 is all I've taken her to and only for a moment, the bike handles it well, but I don't need a ticket. . .

Indicated or actual? I've found I only get 38mpg or so at an actual 80-85 (6000 rpm).

[Oliver]

+1 on that. I can almost watch my fuel gauge fall down in slow motion when Im really pulling on the freeway

[Lucas]

I got mine to about 115, and I think it could have gone to 120 if I wasn't already pooping my pants. :D

I like going 70mph. My S blocks the wind really well up to that point and its about 5k RPM in 5th. It's a pleasant place to be.  :2thumbup:

[Chaos]

I feel most comfortable around 80-85 and the bike gets around 50mpg.

The only time i saw 50mpg was riding with a group at 60-65 mph. Above 80 my mileage drops into the high 30's.

[Grim]

I feel most comfortable around 80-85 and the bike gets around 50mpg. I did 100 for 90 miles one day and only got 39mpg. 110 is all I've taken her to and only for a moment, the bike handles it well, but I don't need a ticket. . .

Indicated or actual? I've found I only get 38mpg or so at an actual 80-85 (6000 rpm). 110, WOT, it gets 27 mpg. Just FYI. :P

Wow! really?

 My K1100lt with my 250lb including riding gear and using my gps trip got close to 45mpg with 35 miles of low speed streets and 65 miles of hwy going about 65mph. (Was with a group of Harley's.). Its amazing how much wind resistance goes up with speed and kills mileage.

[Oliver]

With just the back end weight Ive taken off already (i.e. police trunk, seat, rear fender and chopped frame) I notice a sizeable increase in speed. Where I would be around 70mph at 5000 Im now at around 73-74, cant wait to take off the fairing this week!

[argent brick]

I was beginning to get uncomfortable, but I had mine up to about 90 mph and was amazed how smooth the thing ran. The MPG sucked though. Of course, the fuel economy has always been poor on my bike. Still have not figured out why.

[skidmore]

I'm an 80 to 85mph guy. Fuck the police. Rather, I haven't been popped yet  :neener:  Beyond 85 it is a little less than smooth riding although I do occasionally hit 90mph when the wind isn't causing buffeting. Judging by the lack of a weight on the front wheel, I assume I need a good balancing. My naked K75 would cruise at an indicated 100mph pretty damn smoothly.

Top speed: I haven't pushed either of my K's to a top speed. Seems like I read some generic specs on the 75's and found the RT to clock a little faster top speed - due to the fairing I assumed. Yes it is more weight but it does punch the atmosphere and smooth the airflow.

MPG: 42 to 44 is the best I've seen from either of my bikes. Maybe they are capable of better but I just never happened to check MPGs? Running an indicated 75 or so, I can pull 42mpg on the RT. When I'm charging hard 85 to 90, I average 37mpg. Someday I would like to top off the tank, hit the 4 lane and cruise a solid 65mph and see what the average is.

Speedo accuracy: I haven't rigged up my GPS yet but the one roadside radar sign I encountered suggested my indicated speed is 3mph fast. The speedo said 61/62ish, radar sign said 58/59.

[argent brick]

I would love to get 42 MPG.

[TaosBrick]

I was just less than an hour ago hittin' some 100mph sweepers here in Kans-ass. She feels sweet n' stable, suckin' down and stickin' hard to the curves while accelerating thru 'em.
  Fastest I've taken her is just a scootch over an indicated 120, which I'm guessing is around 110 in actuality. (I'm thinking there may be more, but have not had the perfect conditions in which to wring out every last bit)
  Super comfy between 70 and 90, a bit of vibration north of 95, mainly due to tire balance issues I'm thinkin'.
  When logging the long, slabby miles at an avg 80, I get around 43mpg. I stop at name-brand petrol stations and just use regular, but  religious about using Mobil1 15-50 at 7,000 - 10,000 mile intervals.

[Oliver]

What would you say your RPM's are at when you guys are hitting lets say 90 to 95

[wmax351]

What would you say your RPM's are at when you guys are hitting lets say 90 to 95

6000=80. 7500=100