Tailwinds are fun!

FastDoc · 03-30-2011, 11:55 AM

Just riding into work on the KLX this morning. Wednesdays I'm at an office that requires a 20 minute commute, half on the highway. Speed limit is 70, flow of traffic between 75 and 80. The KLX is fine at these speeds.

So I'm passing a semi, up a grade, look down at the speedo and I'm at 90 and picking up speed fast :!:
25-30 MPH tailwind. 8)

The ride home may not be as inspiring...

Weldangrind · 03-30-2011, 11:58 AM

Drafting the semi probably helped some. I'm amazed that you could hit that speed uphill. 8O

FastDoc · 03-30-2011, 12:15 PM

Strong tailwind outweighed the uphill.

The KLX will reliably run 99 MPH (indicated, 91 GPS) in a tuck on level ground with no head or tail wind.

SpudRider · 03-31-2011, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Drafting the semi probably helped some. I'm amazed that you could hit that speed uphill. 8O

The wind blows strongly in some areas of the Pacific Northwest, WaG.

Living in Idaho, I can easily believe a 25-30 mph tailwind would allow Doc to reach that speed. 8)

Spud

Weldangrind · 03-31-2011, 01:22 AM

I'm no stranger to that. I'm sure that one of the windiest places on the planet is Lethbridge, Alberta. One guy told me that when he moved away from Lethbridge, he was able to stand up straight and find out he that was six feet tall.

SpudRider · 03-31-2011, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I'm no stranger to that. I'm sure that one of the windiest places on the planet is Lethbridge, Alberta. One guy told me that when he moved away from Lethbridge, he was able to stand up straight and find out he that was six feet tall.

Spud

FastDoc · 03-31-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I'm no stranger to that. I'm sure that one of the windiest places on the planet is Lethbridge, Alberta. One guy told me that when he moved away from Lethbridge, he was able to stand up straight and find out he that was six feet tall.

:P

One of the jokes here is that if the wind stops blowing everyone falls over.

Next week I'm flying to Montana (God willing) for a little vacation. If the wind is blowing then like it is now it looks to be a very fast and very bumpy trip! 8O

culcune · 03-31-2011, 12:25 PM

My old '91 DR250s could hit near 90 mph indicated. My friend who was better on motorcycles than me would ride and I would follow him in my Capri 5.0 on the freeway near where we lived. I was surprised at the top speed of the little 250. Keep in mind this was before GPS, but between both speedometers, we were guesstimating 90 mph or so.

FastDoc · 03-31-2011, 01:12 PM

FWIW my 1996 XR250L ran about 80 on top, a couple of times I had it to 85. So these speeds seem to be in the same ballpark.

BTW I miss those 5.0's. 8)

Weldangrind · 03-31-2011, 08:53 PM

Especially the Capri. They were just different enough; loved the taillights.

I've often wondered what speed my XR250R is capable of. It's geared for climbing hills, but it seems to have plenty on top. I've only ever ridden it flat out on fire roads, but not for long. I don't want to hit a drainage rut at top speed. 8O

culcune · 03-31-2011, 09:31 PM

Yes, I had 3 5.0's--my first was the Capri, my second was a '93 GT, and while I owned that, bought a '85 5.0 ex-CHP car (no, there was nothing special with it, and it was quite 'utilitarian' as compared to my '86 and '93) for my wife. Loved them all, even the '85!

It amazes me that North American Chinabikes seem to really be slow across the board. Our European members report 55-60mph with their 125's, and 'ours' with 200cc and gearing and all are topping out about the same. Yes their were some faster bikes such as the Pitster Pros, but even those were never reported to be near 80 mph, and they were supposed to have 25 hp, like the Japanese bikes, let alone the fact that very few people reported having bought one, or if they did, never stayed around.

I loved my DR250s in spite of my limited riding skills off-road (no, I never went too wild with it), and since they don't make a street version, I am eagerly awaiting the CCW provided it does have the Qingqi/Suzuki engine. However, I doubt that it will perform like my (now long ex

)DR on the road.

Weldangrind · 03-31-2011, 10:13 PM

IIRC, the '86 had a double hump trans crossmember that accomodated a dual exhaust, and I think it had a roller block. That was a good year.

So you're bikeless, culcune? That sucks. I'm having acronym deficiency today; what is a CCW?

I also don't understand why we can't wring more speed out of our bikes. It amazes me what guys in the UK can do with a 125.

culcune · 03-31-2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

IIRC, the '86 had a double hump trans crossmember that accomodated a dual exhaust, and I think it had a roller block. That was a good year.

So you're bikeless, culcune? That sucks. I'm having acronym deficiency today; what is a CCW?

I also don't understand why we can't wring more speed out of our bikes. It amazes me what guys in the UK can do with a 125.

Yes, I liked the '86 alot. I thought when I sold it with 150k miles (not sure kms) after buying the '93 new that I would notice a big improvement, but the '86 seemed like it was a better car overall for some reason :? Maybe the speed density vs. the mass air?

I have been bikeless for months after selling my Honda VT500. Thought a Chinabike would have replaced it by now, but nooooo :x

Sorry, CCW is the new company Cleveland Cycle Werks that we have been talking up a storm about on mychinamoto--they have a retro-styled bobber, the 'Heist', an upcoming retro cafe-racer called the 'Misfit' and the piece de resistance, the 'Hooligun' which is a Qingqi-based motard which is supposed to be available in a few months.

http://www.clevelandcyclewerks.com/bikes/

Weldangrind · 04-01-2011, 12:36 AM

Ahh, yes. A new member here bought Tha Heist, and I think he's a member on MCM.

Sorry for the thread jack Doc.

03-30-2011, 11:55 AM	#1
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Tailwinds are fun! Just riding into work on the KLX this morning. Wednesdays I'm at an office that requires a 20 minute commute, half on the highway. Speed limit is 70, flow of traffic between 75 and 80. The KLX is fine at these speeds. So I'm passing a semi, up a grade, look down at the speedo and I'm at 90 and picking up speed fast :!: 25-30 MPH tailwind. 8) The ride home may not be as inspiring... __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

03-30-2011, 11:58 AM	#2
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Drafting the semi probably helped some. I'm amazed that you could hit that speed uphill. 8O __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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03-30-2011, 12:15 PM	#3
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Strong tailwind outweighed the uphill. The KLX will reliably run 99 MPH (indicated, 91 GPS) in a tuck on level ground with no head or tail wind. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

03-31-2011, 01:22 AM	#5
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I'm no stranger to that. I'm sure that one of the windiest places on the planet is Lethbridge, Alberta. One guy told me that when he moved away from Lethbridge, he was able to stand up straight and find out he that was six feet tall. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

03-31-2011, 12:25 PM	#8
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,056	My old '91 DR250s could hit near 90 mph indicated. My friend who was better on motorcycles than me would ride and I would follow him in my Capri 5.0 on the freeway near where we lived. I was surprised at the top speed of the little 250. Keep in mind this was before GPS, but between both speedometers, we were guesstimating 90 mph or so. __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	0

03-31-2011, 01:12 PM	#9
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	FWIW my 1996 XR250L ran about 80 on top, a couple of times I had it to 85. So these speeds seem to be in the same ballpark. BTW I miss those 5.0's. 8) __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

03-31-2011, 08:53 PM	#10
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Especially the Capri. They were just different enough; loved the taillights. I've often wondered what speed my XR250R is capable of. It's geared for climbing hills, but it seems to have plenty on top. I've only ever ridden it flat out on fire roads, but not for long. I don't want to hit a drainage rut at top speed. 8O __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

03-31-2011, 09:31 PM	#11
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,056	Yes, I had 3 5.0's--my first was the Capri, my second was a '93 GT, and while I owned that, bought a '85 5.0 ex-CHP car (no, there was nothing special with it, and it was quite 'utilitarian' as compared to my '86 and '93) for my wife. Loved them all, even the '85! It amazes me that North American Chinabikes seem to really be slow across the board. Our European members report 55-60mph with their 125's, and 'ours' with 200cc and gearing and all are topping out about the same. Yes their were some faster bikes such as the Pitster Pros, but even those were never reported to be near 80 mph, and they were supposed to have 25 hp, like the Japanese bikes, let alone the fact that very few people reported having bought one, or if they did, never stayed around. I loved my DR250s in spite of my limited riding skills off-road (no, I never went too wild with it), and since they don't make a street version, I am eagerly awaiting the CCW provided it does have the Qingqi/Suzuki engine. However, I doubt that it will perform like my (now long ex )DR on the road. __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	0

03-31-2011, 10:13 PM	#12
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	IIRC, the '86 had a double hump trans crossmember that accomodated a dual exhaust, and I think it had a roller block. That was a good year. So you're bikeless, culcune? That sucks. I'm having acronym deficiency today; what is a CCW? I also don't understand why we can't wring more speed out of our bikes. It amazes me what guys in the UK can do with a 125. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

04-01-2011, 12:36 AM	#14
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Ahh, yes. A new member here bought Tha Heist, and I think he's a member on MCM. Sorry for the thread jack Doc. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0