Cruise speed

[agustingarcia]

Hello everybody:
can someone tell me which is ideal cruising speed for the XT1200 on high way?
Thanks a lot

 

[bigbob]

Ideal how? If i am on a road where it is safe to run fast, no twisties or such, the cruise is set to speed limit plus 7 or if wanting to get home +9. At +15 or more any cop will stop you. +7 nobody will. If gas milage matters 55 or 60 mph.

 

[Don in Lodi]

In the Yucatan? What's the rest of traffic doing around you? The Tenere will do all that plus whatever feels safe. ::26::

 

[Squibb]

Whilst road/weather conditions in Europe are way different to Mexico, we cruised my 2014 ES at whatever the speed limit allowed from GPS reading, on a tour last summer - usually around 90 mph/145kph on the clock when doing a true 130 kph. Occasionally much faster (120 mph GPS) in Germany, when the Autobahn cleared, but not sustained for more than around 5/6 miles at a time. The bike has more punch at the top end than I had expected.

We were 2-up & loaded most of the time, yet still showed over 64 mpg (Imp) for the 2600 mile trip (4.4L/100Km or around 53.5 US).

Overall, we found the S10 better than expected for touring (usually on an FJR1300) - my only issue was making sure I was in the right mode/traction setting on some of the tight single track mountain passes. For instance, on some steep RH hairpins on the Passo di Manghen (Italy - 2047m), I found traction control could wind back the power right on the apex, at full lean (BWs), if not attacked with some verve - just the recipe for a groin strain if you need to save the bike from a fall. Still we made it OK - maybe the road surface was more dirty than usual, as the pass had just been used as a car rally stage.

Incidentally if you fancy a look at the Manghen, there are plenty of clips on YouTube (apologies OP, I digress)

Ride safe ..................... KEN

 

[Checkswrecks]

As Squibb noted, the bike itself can cruise for long periods at 75-90 mph. Holding it at or over 100 mph in the US western desert, there's not much acceleration left, but the coolant temp was steady. (Or at least so I heard, maybe it was on a closed test course, harrumph harrumph) So absolute speed probably isn't the answer.


My answer would probably be to ask what range you need? The adventure bikes have the aerodynamics of a brick and those big cylinders drink faster with the faster you twist the throttle. I can get 50+ mpg on the way to work, but plan for 38 mpg on sustained 75 mph highways, and at higher speeds with lots of luggage have run it down to 28 mpg.

 

[rider33]

some bikes, particularly twins, tend to have a sweet spot where everything settles down an hums along just fine. My Bonneville for instance is a lot happier at 65MPH than it is at 95 tho it will do either all day long if asked. On the S10 I haven't really noticed that, it's not quite as slip-stream smooth as a fully flaired sport touring bike but other than the increased air noise (and decreased mileage) it seems as happy at 85 or 90 as it does at 65. Actually, that's one off the unusual things about this bike to be. The afore mentioned sport touring bike (ST1300) was quite happy at 95 MPH, in fact on of the problems was it tends to get there, right now, & not give you a lot of clues that it was going that fast (which can get expensive). It was not happy tho about crawling down gravel roads at 20 tho, it just wanted to go fast. The S10, however, seems to be as happy tip-toeing down a narely fire road it as it is trying to outrun a storm in the open dessert. I've owned a lot of bikes but I don't really recall one with quite that range. Whatever speed you need, it's happy to comply.

 

[TheHelios]

I average 80-90 MPH on these babies with no problem:


*EDIT*: These are Shinko 804/805 tires.

 

[Brick]

I can't quite read which tires are those?

I average 80-90 MPH on these babies with no problem:

 

[TheHelios]

I can't quite read which tires are those?

Sorry, just updated my post. They're Shinko 804/805 tires.

 

[Ramseybella]

These are Shinko 804/805 tires. ???

65 to 75 mph I still get decent MPG until headwind hits you or 80+ mph.

 

[Rasher]

Generally I cruise as fast as I think I can get away with / only risk minor fine.

On European roads that is an indicated 80 - 90 mph most of the time, bike is smooth enough into 3 figures but MPG seems to be hit hard much above 80mph.

I find the bike a bit dull below about 70, but it will cruise happily in top at under 60mph and clock up well over 60mpg if you have that sort of restraint

 

[Wanderer]

Howdy,
I think you might be asking what is a good RPM vs actual speed??? I tend to run between 3K and 4K when just cruising. Actual speed will depend on what gear I'm in, posted limits etc. Engine seems to be happy at this RPM and acceleration is only a down shift away.
Later,
Norm ::015::

 

[Nig5]

Generally I cruise as fast as I think I can get away with / only risk minor fine.

On European roads that is an indicated 80 - 90 mph most of the time, bike is smooth enough into 3 figures but MPG seems to be hit hard much above 80mph.

I find the bike a bit dull below about 70, but it will cruise happily in top at under 60mph and clock up well over 60mpg if you have that sort of restraint

same here 80 to 90, where legal of course

 

[Freebooter]

On Interstate, where I can relax n "Cruise", I go 80mph, give or take a few depending on traffic.
Freebooter

 

[Madhatter]

the bike does what the bike does, its a machine... over 70mph it likes to drink a little fuel, 70mph or less it goes quite far on a gallon of gas ... as for the owner (that would be me ) I am very content on a nice road with out much traffic running , and this just seems to me to be my and the bikes sweet spot , 65mph....it just purrs or maybe that's me , but it is smooth sounds good is comfortable not much stress at that speed .... and if on a road that demands more speed it will do it, but I like it best at 65mph.... I seem to enjoy slow , I can do fast, maybe its because I am old(er) and life is already flying by... had a man I know and respect ask me the other day, that if I could have any bike I wanted what bike would it be ... easy answer, the one I have .... there have been no regrets on buying this bike , it was for me the right choice.... to go fast there are other machines to consider, but part of the category description of this bike is adv-tourer .... I don't tour at 90mph... what can you see... safe riding to all how ever fast you tour....or cruise....

 

[Freebooter]

Yes I agree. I need to clarify myself now that I think of it. If I am on a ride or trip on an interstate with a point A to B destination I sometimes cruise between 75-80. But sometimes I cruise along in the 60s with my faceshield up, enjoying the day, scenery, etc. On two lane roads, country roads, etc I cruise at varying speeds depending on terrain, curves, speed limits, traffic, etc.
Freebooter
Sovereign State of Alabama
Occupied Confederacy

 

[Squibb]

On Interstate, where I can relax n "Cruise", I go 80mph, give or take a few depending on traffic.
Freebooter

I don't have much experience of riding in the US, but I seem to remember getting pushed up to well over 90mph by some huge Semis right the way across I40. Admittedly we were on a Street Glide, so maybe the clock was optimistic. There wasn't too much opportunity to let them past in places, due to lane/weight restrictions. Still we dived off onto the old R66 pavement, where feasible - a great experience for those Brits who have never tried a road trip in the Land of the Free.

Ride Safe ....................... KEN

 

[ord13]

"Land of the Free" means no speed limits on R66 ?

 

[Dogdaze]

"Land of the Free" means no speed limits on R66 ?

::025:: ::025:: ::025:: You wish ::008::

 

[Checkswrecks]

Route 66 definitely has speed limits and radar traps.
But then so does the A64 near Tarbes. The cruise control is set, I'm in the slow lane, and getting passed here:

Rental bike's an Aprilia.