| Author | Message | ||
     Squash |
everytime I get up to 130 140 mph front end gets light and starts alittle wobble up there. I also have stock bars. I had the crossroads -7 bars and I think it was smoother that this speed. I don't have a steering dampner either. any input? | ||
| Jbird11 |
Ya, Don't go 130. He He | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Is that under acceleration or cruising there? Acceleration: that's natural, it should settle at cruising. Cruising: moving a bit forward should help. If your body position changes it, then play with suspension. If not, or it gets worse, it's the bike (tires or steering head bearing). The manual has the suspension setting for your weight. And it's easy enough to fine tune after that. Other than checking over your tires and steering head bearing, do the suspension stuff before you spend money. Road conditions are also a factor, if there's only the one road you get to that speed. | ||
| Walrus2004 |
never had my xb12s over 100, what kind of rpms are you running at at speeds that high? | ||
| New12r |
What kind of tires do you have? how is your suspension set up? Are your steering head bearing in good shape? Do you tuck? There are alot of variables. The speedo is also optimistic. Top speed is gear/rpm limited to 140mph. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
First of all with a 9 and a tailwind you might see 130mph. If the front end it getting light at those speeds, look at your seating, and hand grip strength. I have topped out several times on a closed course circuit  . If you are sitting up in the wind, with a death grip on the bars. The front end will get light. Hunker down, and relax a little. That or do the smart thing and don't ride that fast. | ||
| Squash |
maybe I'm used to riding my R1 still. the tires are dunlop and have maybe 250 miles on. The bike tops out at 140. the rpms are somewhere between 5500-6300 would be a good guess. I think its the handlebars, and the wind. The crossroads maybe my next purchase. | ||
| New12r |
Everyone with the crossroads love them!! I have rode a couple R1's, too much bike for the street IMO. Fun none the less, the 120 mph power wheelies are sick! | ||
| Froggy |
Yea check your tire pressures. Also being a naked bike you’re going to get beat up by the wind more at those speeds, which also gives the unstable feeling. The XB9's all have the short 52" wheelbase, which again works against it for high speed stability. Your R1 was probably somewhere around 57". | ||
| Brumbear |
The only way I can get 140 out of my machine is falling off a cliff I can almost get there but it just won't go I was thinking of going to the store and get BRASS BALLS cause that might be My problem my organics just aint cutting it | ||
| Froggy |
Bear, perhaps the issue is YOUR aerodynamics.  | ||
| Nillaice |
wow, i had to double check and make sure we were talking in MPH's. i only hope your riding on a closed course, and you're a professional rider....you know like on all those cool commercials  if not: as a resident of VA, you will pay through the nose...if you get caught  i guess i don't have the balls to go that fast, unlike you, squash | ||
| Brumbear |
Whats wrong with spherical dynamics | ||
| Unibear12r |
All us bears are named so for a reason I guess.  The best I could ever get my 12R up to was only 130 mph indicated. But that's because I'm the size and weight to more properly model Harley riding gear than sport bike gear. I knew back in the 70's during my drag bike days that I was already aerodynamically challenged! And things havn't gotten any better either! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I still have difficulty getting past the 60s but then I am flying down dirt roads, so y'all gotta forgive my turtle like ways. | ||
| Teddagreek |
Fire bolt front end conversion.. I've felt like a rag doll at around those speeds even in tuck.. Its amazing how much a fairing helps at speed.. | ||
| Brumbear |
or an extra fitty | ||
| Merlyn |
I noticed on my 12R that it gets a little squirrely at 120-125. Just relax the hands and tuck in as low as possible. Problem solved. I've hit redline in 5th a couple times on out of the way backroads... 150 indicated, right around 135 actual. Merlyn -- Certified Velocijunkie | ||
| Jaimec |
It's probably easier to hit those speeds on a Firebolt than a Lightning. It's simple aerodynamics. On a Lightning, you want to try as much as possible to crawl under the paint. Oh wait... those bikes don't have paint! Well, hunker down and hug the bike as much as possible with your elbows, knees, chin and chest. By the way, not the safest position to see what's going on around you so I can't say I recommend riding that way on public roads... | ||
| Ekass13 |
If you see flashing lights don't slow down, speed up. In PA its against the law to chase a bike for a speeding ticket. Hide that plate and WOT till the cop is no more... | ||
| Glitch |
Don't do that in Georgia! | ||
| Jaimec |
Ekass13: You can outrun the car, but you can't outrun his radio. Hitting a roadblock at those speeds can REALLY ruin your day. | ||
| Squash |
some of you guys are pussies. ride it like you stole it!! for the rest of you, thanks for the REAL input. BTW I put crossroads-7 bars on and she feels great. smooth and tight! P.S. who can do 100+ for more than a couple miles anyways!!?? test and tune | ||
| Squash |
corporatemonkey: I have rode next to two other bikes and we all get readings between 136 to 145. so you might need a tune-up. | ||
| Froggy |
Squash its a well known fact that the speedometers become inaccurate at speed. They become more inaccurate as you get over 100. On the XB12 4000RPM is 80, 4500 is 90, 5k is 100, 5500 is 110, etc. I know the XB9 is a little higher RPM per speed, I don't remember what off hand. | ||
| Ekass13 |
What’s the cop going to say on the radio anyway Jaimec? “I just saw a bike fly by me someone please help..?? I’m going to share my experiences with this issue. I’ve only been pulled over a couple times on my bike, most of the time I’ve rode pass a speed trap and was going 15-35 mph over the speed limit. I see the cop slow down and watch him pull out to get me. Now 90% of the time I’ve been let go because I’ve pulled over. I never liked the idea of running from the cops because of the consequences of getting caught plus I had no points and figured worse case I’ll take the ticket. Now what changed my thought process on this issue was my last run in. Took the cop forever to catch up to me and that was with me slowing to a ridiculously slow speed. Once pulled over the cop gave me a ticket for going 75.5 in a 40 when my GPS said 62. Went to court to fight it and found out that going 35mph over the posted limit was a big deal so I plead it down but still got points. It really bothered me that the cop lied and totally exaggerated my speed. Not only that but I could have left him in the dust and he knew that!! In addition the cop even said to me “yea I was listening to weather you were going to gas it after you saw me” Implying that he wouldn’t have even pulled out if that was the case. It’s hard for me to go the speed limit, not only do I feel safer passing cars then them passing me, but I also ride to have fun. Taking a 25mph curve at 25 sucks, but at 45 gives me great happiness and exhilaration. After that last ticket I’ve come to the conclusion that if I feel I can get out without getting caught I am. | ||
| Ekass13 |
JaimeC I want you to know that I respect you and what you’re saying, I’m not a squid, just sometimes like to have fun. I do track days, but sometimes there too few and far between. | ||
| Squash |
Froggy: I know what your saying. I just replaced my speedo less then a week ago, anyhow I was just trying to make a point. the crowd i was in all had gsxr's and we All had different readings. but the point was that these xb's CAN do 140mph. BUELL: white mans crotch rocket. | ||
| Brumbear |
137/140 means squat to me it's flockin fast either way and I do not hate it but I would rather be doing 75 in a 35 its much more fun on the and 6 roads 5 roads | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
corporatemonkey: I have rode next to two other bikes and we all get readings between 136 to 145. so you might need a tune-up. My bike is just fine. This has been documented many times here by others and myself. On GPS an XB9 runs out of steam at 130mph. I have seen 128 mph on GPS. I was really trying to see 130, but even on a slight downslope it couldn't do it. A 12 (especially and r) is a little different. It has a bit more power, but runs out of revs fast. As mentioned by Froggy speedometers are not accurate at high speed. Some of the worst are on Japanese sportbikes. That is why so many riders use Yellow boxes. True speed hounds use GPS. |
