03-30-2011, 11:55 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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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...
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03-30-2011, 11:58 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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Drafting the semi probably helped some. I'm amazed that you could hit that speed uphill. 8O
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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 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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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.
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03-31-2011, 12:51 AM | #4 | |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Quote:
Spud
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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03-31-2011, 01:22 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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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.
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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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03-31-2011, 01:33 AM | #6 | |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Quote:
Spud
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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03-31-2011, 11:41 AM | #7 | |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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Quote:
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
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03-31-2011, 12:25 PM | #8 |
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Posts: 9,056
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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.
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03-31-2011, 01:12 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
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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)
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03-31-2011, 08:53 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
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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
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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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03-31-2011, 09:31 PM | #11 |
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Posts: 9,056
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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.
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"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 |
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03-31-2011, 10:13 PM | #12 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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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.
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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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03-31-2011, 10:52 PM | #13 | |
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Posts: 9,056
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Quote:
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/
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"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 |
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04-01-2011, 12:36 AM | #14 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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Ahh, yes. A new member here bought Tha Heist, and I think he's a member on MCM.
Sorry for the thread jack Doc.
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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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