Cruising speed?

[Guest]

What's up gang?

I wanted to know what I would have to do in order to get more cruising speed on the beltway? The rrr's are high to me right now.

Thanks,

Supavert

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Change the gearing. If the sprockets are available, smaller rear or larger front. How much you can change depends on the bike and exactly what you need. If you have a smaller motor you may lose too much power. If you go in the mountains the new taller gearing may cause you trouble. Just depends on what you need and the motor you have.
Also, be careful if you change things. Look for proper chain clearances on swingarm, etc.

[Steve]

What's up gang?

I wanted to know what I would have to do in order to get more cruising speed on the beltway? The rrr's are high to me right now.

Thanks,

Supavert

What bike?

What is your engine speed?

Which beltway?

For "more cruising speed", simply twist your right wrist a little farther.

Chances are, everything is fine, you just aren't used to the sound of an engine running in its powerband.

.

[Supavert]

My bad, I have a stock gs1100e. I live in Maryland and I cruise on the 495 beltway, and I like to cruise at 80 mph.

[mighty13d]

My bad, I have a stock gs1100e. I live in Maryland and I cruise on the 495 beltway, and I like to cruise at 80 mph.

you could go up on the front sprocket or down on the rear.. don't make drastic changes though. and remember that up one on the front will have more effect than down one on rear. I can't remember exactly but I'm thinking it's something like 4-1 ratio.. meaning one tooth on front is worth 4 on back. I'd suggest gaining 1 on front OR a couple on back. nothing too crazy, but it should give you a couple less rpms and maybe a little savings at the pump. you bike should be able to handle that ok.

[Tarbash 27]

more like 3 -1. Dive the larger sprocket by the smaller to get the ratio. I would do like a 16-44 on that bike, maybe 17-44 if you wanted that extra gas mileage.

[kerrfunk]

I just dropped 4 teeth on the rear (49 to 44)
and my 70mph rpms dropped from 6,000 to 5,400

[tkent02]

If you don't like the sound of the engine wear earplugs.

[Steve]

If you don't like the sound of the engine wear earplugs.

I tried that last week on my Wing.

Not that I don't like the engine sound, I just wanted to experience the difference.

It was like rolling the windows up in a car.
Had to turn up the satellite radio a couple of notches to compensate, but road and wind noise was virtually GONE.

.

[79FiveFifty]

I'm in a catch 22 also, want lower rpms on highway, but can't stand the bike to be any slower accelerating than it is currently.

5,500 rpms @ 65.. I dont mind the sound, I mind watching my gas needle go down so quickly.

having a 550 I can't do anything with the sprockets that I wont regret.

[doctorgonzo]

I'm in a catch 22 also, want lower rpms on highway, but can't stand the bike to be any slower accelerating than it is currently.

5,500 rpms @ 65.. I dont mind the sound, I mind watching my gas needle go down so quickly.

having a 550 I can't do anything with the sprockets that I wont regret.

I was gonna say, about 6000 is just where these bikes start to sound good. That 6000 to 10,000 RPM range is sweet sweet music.

[Grandpa]

I tried that last week on my Wing.

Not that I don't like the engine sound, I just wanted to experience the difference.

It was like rolling the windows up in a car.
Had to turn up the satellite radio a couple of notches to compensate, but road and wind noise was virtually GONE.

.

Steve, I've been wearing earplugs for many years, precisely because the wind and road noise are practically eliminated when riding with earplugs. What I hear is just what I want to hear -- the muffled sound of the engine. I have no problem hearing music or the CB -- or the cop's siren

When I had my GS shafties, the mechanical valve, etc., noise was also eliminated. Since the Venture is liquid cooled, this is not as much of an issue.

I imagine the sound from the quietest motorcycle, the Gold Wing, becomes almost imperceptible to a rider with earplugs.

[tkent02]

I'm in a catch 22 also, want lower rpms on highway, but can't stand the bike to be any slower accelerating than it is currently.

5,500 rpms @ 65.. I dont mind the sound, I mind watching my gas needle go down so quickly.

having a 550 I can't do anything with the sprockets that I wont regret.

Smaller RPM at cruise will likely cost you more fuel, as the throttle will be open farther to go anywhere, the engine is not as efficient when it's not in it's correct powerband.
A 550 should get 50 mpg, if it doesn't fix something.

[bwringer]

Crikey, man up and twist the durn throttle. These engines were born to spin. Enjoy the music.

RPMs have very little to do with mileage -- air resistance makes all the difference there. Motorcycles have terrible aerodynamics, so mileage drops off pretty steeply as average speed increases. Google "motorcycle coefficient of drag" if you want the math.

Jetting that's too rich can also make mileage drop, so you may need to address that if you've made jetting changes.

[Steve]

I imagine the sound from the quietest motorcycle, the Gold Wing, becomes almost imperceptible to a rider with earplugs.

What was that? Did you say something?

I have ridden my son's Venture(s) enough to know that they are not a whole lot louder than my Wing.
Actual volume might even be the same, but the Venture has more of a syncopation to the exhaust note, making it a bit more perceptible, if not audible.