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Tourer
Posts: 307
Columbia, SC | You guys are nuts. Knowing your bike can exceed over 100. It's a tourer! Let's slow down and stay a little safer speed. Myself, I work more towards cornering/slow-speed techniques than riding fast in a straight line. Freaks me out seeing these high speeds all the time. Unless you're on a track. If you're on a track, HAVE AT IT!!! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| I too would have to see 140 on a Harley. I have a friend with a SE Ultra and he claims the chassis won't do 140. 120 maybe,safely. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | I suspect the Harley rider probably DID see 140 MPH......... registered on a dyno with the bike strapped down and NO wind resistance or rolling resistance from the front wheel. In the real world, 120-125 is more realistic for that model bike.
The Harley handling problem is very well known in the Harley community. http://www.2keller.com/library/harley-davidson-wobble.cfm
I've seen it exhibited several times myself. The Harley guys will accept roll-on challenges, but they almost always back off before they get much over 100 MPH. They know better than to go there. There is an aftermarket "fix" for the handling issues that involves a frame brace. They say it helps.
The Harleys, generally speaking, aren't much of a challenge for a Vision. The Goldwing guys on the other hand insist on proving that their ride of choice is "better" than a Vision. After all, they have three times as many cylinders, 101cc more displacement, and 50% more valves. Not only that, but the Vision is an American V-Twin and "everybody knows that American V-Twins can't match Japanese technology and performance". Some people just have to be shown the truth. I don't mind showing them. The GW guys are pretty much always nice guys. They just have preconceived notions about American V-Twin performance and they are loyal to the GW. Goldwings are nice and I've owned them before. The Vision is nicer, especially when the performance is better than the vaunted Goldwing. Performance includes handling too. We went to Deals Gap with two other couples on Goldwings. Both of them were dragging in the corners while we were right on their tails and not dragging at all. These guys can ride too. Their "other bikes" include a ZX14 and a Hayabusa. All of us have done a lot of racing. I've had a lot of sport bikes myself, mostly Suzukis. I'm too old and fat to ever be comfortable on a sport bike again. They are literally a pain in the neck and shoulders. I'm old and fat, but the competitive spirit remains. Goldwings provide good competition for the Vision as luxury tourers, canyon carvers, and overall performers. Sometimes the "King" needs to be challenged. Keeps the blood flowing.
For those that worry about us going too fast on our touring bikes, I'll just say that I've been going too fast on bikes since 1965. I'll probably die someday.
Ronnie |
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| I agree with sfalexi....You guys are nuts!! Hell if you wanna go fast buy a crotch rocket or something other than a 900lb. Tourer...It is kind of like trying to get a 1950 Buick to keep with a Porsche or something......If you need to go that much over the local speed limits....As said above, go find a race track or drag strip and go for it!!!!! I am 72yrs. old and have raced cars and bikes for years and still like to go fast at .times...but not on public roads and highways....Please stay safe, life is short.....
Edited by opas ride 2012-02-24 10:30 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Opas, I think because of the smooth ride from the cast frame verses a tubular frame, I often don't realize I'm going fast, and at times that is fast, approaching the triple digits. I think, both riders knowing their ride, the Vision can go neck and neck with a sports bike, except for the general exceleration. With that said, I agree with you, why do it, life is to short to be picked out of the pavement or tree. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| I won't say I've never been over 100 on my vision but it's rare. My problem is I look down and I'm touching 85 before I know it. It simply doesn't feel like it. |
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Tourer
Posts: 340
Regina Saskatchewan Canada | Just because you can doesn't mean you should! Stay safe! |
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Friend on a GW
