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What RPMs' at 60mph

dardoonk

Forum Mentor
Just wondered how many rpm's anyone is turning when cruising at 60pmh?

My bike reads 5,000rpm @ 60mph (indicated)
 
Sorry, don't cruise at sixty much.
That would be more like putting around getting the engine warmed up or something.
What size bike is it?
If it's that sweeet red 750 in the pictures, it probably would be around that RPM with stock sprockets.
 
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Your front and rear sprockets will also be a factor with the RPM/MPH and the engine capacity and if stock or modified. Give us a few more details on your setup to help with your question. As for mine, GSX1100SXZ:

front tyre 100 x 90 x 19,
rear tyre 130 x 80 18,
15 tooth front,
42 tooth rear,
stock 1074cc block,

This gives me a reading of 3800 RPM at 60 MPH (100kph here).

Just back from a quick ride to confirm my readings, yes 60MPH at 3800RPM. Apart from the sprocket size the tyre profile and wheel size will be a factor as well, the 18" rear helps make the gearing a bit taller, eg less RPM than a 17" rear, cheers.
 
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Gonna depend on the bike. I'm turning around 4000 on a GS1000G at that speed. It makes sense because the G was intended as a sport/touring bike. It feels like it could roll forever at 65 turning just over 4000.
 
Most all GS's from 750 up are appx. the same. 1000 rpm = 15 mph. This is not exact, but very close. 60 mph. may be 3800 or maybe 4200, but as long as they have stock gearing, this will be a good rule to go by.
 
just checked on mine, 5000 rpm is 60 (thats on a gs750L, as far as I know it's on standard sprocket sizes, never bothered checking the number of teeth)
 
Your front and rear sprockets will also be a factor with the RPM/MPH and the engine capacity and if stock or modified. Give us a few more details on your setup to help with your question. As for mine, GSX1100SXZ:

front tyre 100 x 90 x 19,
rear tyre 130 x 80 18,
15 tooth front,
42 tooth rear,
stock 1074cc block,

This gives me a reading of 3800 RPM at 60 MPH (100kph here).

Just back from a quick ride to confirm my readings, yes 60MPH at 3800RPM. Apart from the sprocket size the tyre profile and wheel size will be a factor as well, the 18" rear helps make the gearing a bit taller, eg less RPM than a 17" rear, cheers.

Here's my setup now - '77 GS750B
front 100 x 90 x 19,
rear tyre 140 x 80 18,
16 tooth front,
44 tooth rear,
rear ratio = 2.75

15/41 sprocket were stock (I think) which is a 2.73 ratio.
 
i put a smaller rear sprocket on my gs1000c just to see what it would be like. at sixty it's turning something less than 3500. usual cruising speed for me is about 70 @ about 4000 rpm. i kinda like it this way. it's definitely not a hot rod but it has plenty of power and seems smoother than my other 1000 which has stock gearing. only problem is it's a little hard to get it rolling from a dead stop.

rode it in the quarter mile yesterday just for fun and did a very unimpressive 14.5 sec at 89 mph.

as a cruiser though it's really nice with me and my old lady on board.
 
With your 16/44 sprockets 60 MPH @ 5000 RPM seems a bit high in the revs compared to a stock setup. Maybe someone else here can provide more help on the revs and confirm the 15/41 as original stock sprockets? If your aim is to drop the revs the 15/41 or a 16/42 would seem the answer, cheers.
 
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I went for a short ride this evening (25 miles) and thought to be aware of my rpm's at 60 mph. 4500. Is that normal, high, low for an 850?

Ed
 
I went for a short ride this evening (25 miles) and thought to be aware of my rpm's at 60 mph. 4500. Is that normal, high, low for an 850?

Ed

About right. A 750 is looking to be about 5000 (from the posts so far) and my 1000 is between 4000 and 4200.
 
just checked on mine, 5000 rpm is 60 (thats on a gs750L, as far as I know it's on standard sprocket sizes, never bothered checking the number of teeth)
I have a 1979 750L and I read about 4000rpm at 60mph and about 5150rpm at 70mph

Greg
 
I hope everyone understands the variables. These old GS speedo's & tachometers weren't known as being perfectly accurate. My guess would be speedo : + /- 2 mph & tach probably + / - 75rpm. At this rate, If my bike actually is 4000 @ 60mph. If my speedo is -2 & my tach is + 75rpm, it would read 4075 @ 58mph as opposed to +2 mph & -75 rpm that would read 3925 @ 62mph. Now remember these old speedo's & tachs are 25 to 30 years old, probably not as accurate as when they were when new. And last even if you still run the original wheel size, is the aspect ratio (sidewall height) the same as the original? The sidewall height will affect the tach & speedo readings, especially if you run a one profile on one end & another profile on the other end. Seems to me Greg O's speedo or tach must be faulty, If he's running 4000 @ 60 (15mph per 1000rpm), should read 2000 @ 30, 3000 @ 45, 4000 @ 60, & 5000 @ 75. Or am I missing something???
 
Seems to me Greg O's speedo or tach must be faulty, If he's running 4000 @ 60 (15mph per 1000rpm), should read 2000 @ 30, 3000 @ 45, 4000 @ 60, & 5000 @ 75. Or am I missing something???
Dunno, but mine runs 5000 @ 60 and about 6000 @ 75. Seems the ratio works for my bike, but only at higher speeds. Try going 35 in 5th and you'll see what I mean.
 
rode it in the quarter mile yesterday just for fun and did a very unimpressive 14.5 sec at 89 mph.
I love this. Good for you - life's too short. :)

Drag strips here still have the occassional 'run what ya brung' nights. It's hilarious some of the things that people will try to 'punch' down the 1/4 mile. Very entertaining. \\:D/

I use the word punch loosely (tongue in cheek) because they usually have very little punch. I've seen guys drag race stock VW Beatles.
 
I love this. Good for you - life's too short. :)

Drag strips here still have the occassional 'run what ya brung' nights. It's hilarious some of the things that people will try to 'punch' down the 1/4 mile. Very entertaining. \\:D/

I use the word punch loosely (tongue in cheek) because they usually have very little punch. I've seen guys drag race stock VW Beatles.
Hah! You should try racing with my first car. A 1982 Mercedes 240D. 0-60 in a whopping 22 seconds! :-D
 
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