[OldDawg]

Today when taking a short jaunt to an area lake we noticed a huge storm front rolling in when we got to our destination. On the way there we had taken the back roads (scenic route), deciding it best to just haul-azz and get back home we hit the interstate to try and out run the storm. We made it back (dry) and with-in 3 minutes of arriving home the bottom fell out of the sky.
But here is the question. How fast have you had your machine? When the road was clear and there was no traffic I opened my machine up twice. Once I had it at about 95 and had to back off due to us approaching a few tractor trailers up ahead. The last opportunity I had with clear straight highway I hit 107 and had to back off for the same reason. I have no idea how fast that 750 will go but I'm not sure I want to find out. I will say this, it was still gaining speed and I have no doubt it will easily and firmly bury that speedometer hand.

 

[Spock001]

Speed 500

Interesting thread you started. I'd like to hear how fast others have gotten their 750s especially if max speed reached. I am also interested in 500 maximums of MPH or KPH.
I have a xg500 that I have maximum speed at 86 MPH on many occasions in the stock configuration. This week, I will test the max speed with the Stage 1 (SE muffler, air cleaner and ECM download) installed. I will update after testing the limit on top speed.

 

[StoneFree]

Top speed on a street motorcycle determined by gear ratios as opposed to horsepower and Harley typically gears it's motorcycles for a top speed of about 110 mph. I believe this is what the Street 500 and 750 are both geared for just like my 1200 Sportster. You can, of course, change the rear sprocket for a higher top speed but I wouldn't recommend doing it or riding that fast.

 

[OldDawg]

Harley typically gears it's motorcycles for a top speed of about 110 mph. I believe this is what the Street 500 and 750 are both geared for

I seriously doubt the Street 500 will do 110. I'm gonna bet the 500 tops out around 85 mph.

 

[bbally]

When I was riding the 500 delivered to Grand Junction's dealership on the highway at WOT with no grade it never went above 82 MPH. (laying on tank) Downhill it did hit 89 MPH. (Laying on tank toes tucked and knees slammed to the engine and air cleaner.

While top speed on a dyno maybe 110, at a point you are fighting as much resistive drag and turbulence as the HP can overcome.

 

[HDGuy]

take it to the autobahn with a buddy that has a truck and draft behind him, best way to really push it to the limit, little wind resistance

kidding.

 

[StoneFree]

When I was riding the 500 delivered to Grand Junction's dealership on the highway at WOT with no grade it never went above 82 MPH. (laying on tank) Downhill it did hit 89 MPH. (Laying on tank toes tucked and knees slammed to the engine and air cleaner.

While top speed on a dyno maybe 110, at a point you are fighting as much resistive drag and turbulence as the HP can overcome.

No dispute but I wonder if it was gearing. I haven't checked to see if the 500 and 750 have different final drive gear ratios. H-D could very well of geared the 500 lower to improve the performance at lower speeds to compensate for the lower hp of the engine.


I did notice that the 500 and 750 both had excellent low speed (i.e. below 50 mph) performance and different gearing could account for that. It's less expensive to change the drive sprockets than it is to change the gears in the tranny to achieve similar results.

 

[StoneFree]

take it to the autobahn with a buddy that has a truck and draft behind him, best way to really push it to the limit, little wind resistance

kidding.

The maximum possible speed obtainable is achieved by riding off of a very high cliff to determine terminal (and I mean terminal literally) velocity. This should only be attempted by trained professionals on a closed course. LOL

 

[bbally]

The maximum possible speed obtainable is achieved by riding off of a very high cliff to determine terminal (and I mean terminal literally) velocity. This should only be attempted by trained professionals on a closed course. LOL

31.7 feet per second per second.

 

[gears]

500 & 750 final drive gearing same. 80T / 30T.

 

[StoneFree]

500 & 750 final drive gearing same. 80T / 30T.

Interesting. Being a bit lazy this morning have you compared the transmission grearing?


In theory one would typically limit the final gear ratio to roughly the top of the powerband and the gearing of a lower hp motorcycle would be lower than for a higher hp motorcycle (or geared based upon a maximum speed desired) and I assume that both the 500 and 750 have the same redline for rpm.


One of two factors will always limit maximum speed. Either the rpm in high gear (geared so low the engine won't rev any higher) or the hp of the engine (not enough power to go any faster).


In any case there's really no need to go more than about 70 mph and, at least for me, my preferred speed is really more in the 50 mph or less range for enjoyable riding. My favorite roads are often limited to 20-25 mph on the turns and perhaps 40 mph on the straights. I really do love the back country roads along winding creeks and rivers and I never like being rushed to get anywhere. A motorcycle to me isn't as much transportation to get from one place to another as it is a journey. I all too often don't even make it to where I was headed to begin with.

 

[StoneFree]

The maximum possible speed obtainable is achieved by riding off of a very high cliff to determine terminal (and I mean terminal literally) velocity. This should only be attempted by trained professionals on a closed course. LOL

In addition to leaving riding off cliffs to the trained professionals I'd also suggest that the following should only be attempted by trained professionals....


Motorcyclist Pulls Off Miraculous Recovery After Collision With Car

 

[OldDawg]

That is incredible ! He definitely had his little angel watching over him that day.

 

[StoneFree]

That is incredible ! He definitely had his little angel watching over him that day.

You'd probably have to pay a professional stuntman a lot of money for them to to even attempt that trick.

 

[Spock001]

My XG 500 max speed with stock configuration and a 180 lb rider was 86 MPH on the speedometer. Now, with the SE Stage 1 installed that max speed has increased to 103 MPH. The speedometer on most bikes has a bias of 5%, so multiply speedo speed by .95 to get actual MPH. Throttle response has also greatly improved.

 

[Crusty Primate]

Hit 100-101 on a long straightaway. Wasn't really looking at the speedo too intently at that point for obvious reasons. Felt like it would still climb. It is quick, but it felt like it took a while to get up to speed and move past that. After about 80-85 it feels like you're coming out of the powerband so it will gradually keep climbing, as opposed to rocketing up. Nonetheless, still fun-- and I should stress, not a regular practice.

 

[OldDawg]

Hit 100-101 on a long straightaway.

Which model were you riding......500 or 750 ?

 

[Crusty Primate]

750. Sorry. I weigh 191, a hair shy of 210 with all my gear.

 

[zipster_77]

im 95 kg hit 160 with tail on street 500 ..209pounds has stage 1 tune and se baffles removed.. but I'm moving to the fp3 hoping it will be better round the 110km 130km mark... in 5th.. i know u can scream the ass of these bikes and hit 120km in 3rd if u want to... but i like the lower rpms

 

[KiwiHOG]

The gearing on these is just wrong, end of story....it just runs out of legs....needs a 7th gear