05-30-2013, 05:17 AM
I hit 90 pretty regularly getting onto the freeway on the way to work. Had it up to around 110-ish a couple times farther out 290 towards Prairie View, where the traffic is thinner. Anything over about 80, I start getting down over the tank; the wind force gets excessive past that, especially if you're into a headwind.
I can see the bike hitting 125 pretty easily. The limitation is gearing more than available power. They could have easily crept a couple more points out of the gear spread and it would push up to 135 or so, but I don't see much point in that for a bike with essentially no wind protection or streamlining. It is, after all, a retro "muscle bike" rather than a sport bike. You make your point off the line. Nothing like getting up over the bars on stoplight launches. I've surprised a couple liter-bike guys who thought it was a vintage motorcycle. Of course, they pull away pretty quickly once they realize I'm Right There... Despite the displacement, this is not a liter bike. =)
Overall though, the gearing and tuning are quite satisfactory, and 90-ish is the highest I ever want to get it in traffic. In fifth, that's the bottom third of the powerband, so there's juice left over in plenty. Honda engineers make very carefully considered decisions in their designs -- which is why this is my 7th Honda. It's fast but not too fast, comfortable but not too comfortable. It's the "just right" bed.
I can see the bike hitting 125 pretty easily. The limitation is gearing more than available power. They could have easily crept a couple more points out of the gear spread and it would push up to 135 or so, but I don't see much point in that for a bike with essentially no wind protection or streamlining. It is, after all, a retro "muscle bike" rather than a sport bike. You make your point off the line. Nothing like getting up over the bars on stoplight launches. I've surprised a couple liter-bike guys who thought it was a vintage motorcycle. Of course, they pull away pretty quickly once they realize I'm Right There... Despite the displacement, this is not a liter bike. =)
Overall though, the gearing and tuning are quite satisfactory, and 90-ish is the highest I ever want to get it in traffic. In fifth, that's the bottom third of the powerband, so there's juice left over in plenty. Honda engineers make very carefully considered decisions in their designs -- which is why this is my 7th Honda. It's fast but not too fast, comfortable but not too comfortable. It's the "just right" bed.