[SRussell91]

I know this topic has been tossed around before but no one has really answered yet...

On flat ground, what's the max speed for each gear? I know you shift when it feels right and that's been working for me and millions of other riders for a LONG time... I'm just curious if anyone has a link they could post that has the exact info in black and white, or even tell me what speeds do you normally up-shift at? I have an 04 volusia 800. Thanks in advance.

 

[scottbass]

I don't know exactly where the rev limiter kicks in - I'm assuming it's somewhere around 6000 rpm or slightly higher. If you have an OEM (VL800/C50) drive ratio and the OEM size rear tire, the speeds at 6000 rpm are:

1st gear: 30 mph
2nd gear: 46 mph
3rd gear: 61 mph
4th gear: 74 mph
5th gear: 91 mph

This is taken from a post I did about the DJ drive mod, comparing the OEM C50 drive to the C90 drive:

****************************************************

OK - here's the math, using a standard 170-80-15 rear tire:

Riding easy, shifting so the engine drops to 2500 rpm with each gear change:

. . . . . . Speed (mph)
Gear. . C50 drive. . C90 drive

1st. . . 0 - 19. . . 0 - 22
2nd . . 19 - 26 . . 22 - 30
3rd . . 26 - 31 . . 30 - 36
4th . . 31 - 38 . . 36 - 44
5th . . 38 - 91 . . 44 - 105

Riding hard, winding the engine to 6000 rpm in each gear:

. . . . . . Speed (mph)
Gear. . C50 drive. . C90 drive

1st. . . 0 - 30. . . 0 - 35
2nd . . 30 - 46 . . 35 - 53
3rd . . 46 - 61 . . 53 - 70
4th . . 61 - 74 . . 70 - 86
5th . . 74 - 91 . . 86 - 105

 

[Paraquat]

Hehe...
Those are about my normal shift points.

I always pondered why people who still have the C50 drive say they can't make it through an intersection but I'm winding 'er out to 30 mph.

 

[Jimbob66]

and so Im seeing I bought a bike that won't break the 100 MPH mark.

Not that I go that fast but ...

 

[SRussell91]

Good stuff! Thanks guys!

 

[RedDogDarren]

and so Im seeing I bought a bike that won't break the 100 MPH mark.

Pretty much. And it will take it's time getting there too. But we all know that before taking this bike home, or at least we should.

 

[guitarjim]

Before the final drive switch, I was able to get to about 105mph indicated the time I tried it. After the final drive switch, I couldn't get past 95mph indicated but there was some wind. I will try again sometime. One of the things I like is that as a new rider, I can't go 125mph (I very rarely go over 80mph indicated as it is.)

 

[SRussell91]

Lets be honest guys... If we wanted a bike that would do 150+ mph we would've never even considered a cruiser of any type to begin with. Not saying there's not cruisers that will do it... But I like to ride just to ride. Not to see how many colors I can make blur together at once. Even with my 800 it has plenty of "get up and go" when I need it but I personally don't have a reason to cruise in triple digits...

 

[RedDogDarren]

Lets be honest guys... If we wanted a bike that would do 150+ mph we would've never even considered a cruiser of any type to begin with. Not saying there's not cruisers that will do it... But I like to ride just to ride. Not to see how many colors I can make blur together at once. Even with my 800 it has plenty of "get up and go" when I need it but I personally don't have a reason to cruise in triple digits...

I had the need for stupid speed for a few decades. I enjoy riding at all speeds now and don't have the need to hit the speed of sound because I've been there done that countless times.

But I will not likely give up the feeling of huge torque and monstrous acceleration. That aspect of motorcycling is a huge aspect of my riding enjoyment.

 

[Sleepwalker]

But I will not likely give up the feeling of huge torque and monstrous acceleration. That aspect of motorcycling is a huge aspect of my riding enjoyment.

Much in the same way with my Corvette (74 W/built 350) When a young guy pulled up to the stop line, gunning his engine wanting to impress his girlfriend in the car, when the light changed I just rolled off the line "Normally" he laid into it.
After, my son looked over at me wanting to know why I didn't "Blow Him Away". I looked over at him and said "Sometimes in life it's enough to know you could have if you wanted to, not that you did". About that time a Police car went past us with the lights on, pulling over the other car, he looked over at me with a little smile, "I think I get it dad".
I miss the "Zip" of my GSXR not that I needed to use it all the time, just knowing it was there.

 

[Jimbob66]

I personally don't go triple digit speeds. I pucker at about 80 now. Its just the 100 MPH mark was always sort of a benchmark for bikes in the past. Its more of a mental thing I guess.

 

[4getful2]

I wonder what the rpms are at say 65mph with the stock drive verses the c90 drive ?

 

[Ncoop]

Oh I go triple digit speeds on my C50 regularly.


But they are kilometres per hour over here.:biglaugh:

Coops.

 

[RedDogDarren]

Oh I go triple digit speeds on my C50 regularly.


But they are kilometres per hour over here.:biglaugh:

Coops.

Here too Coops. My issue is the new bike is a US model and I have to remember to convert.

 

[Skrapiron]

I wonder what the rpms are at say 65mph with the stock drive verses the c90 drive ?

At 65mph, the C50 is turning ~ 4100 rpm in 5th gear with the stock gearing.
At 65mph, the C50 is turning ~ 3650 rpm in 5th gear with the C90 drive.

It is enough to tell a difference in the way the engine sounds and feels, but it is still buzzy and feels like it needs another gear.

The C50 will top out somewhere between 90 and 95 mph (actual). The speedo is a bit optimistic and will tell you you're doing the ton, when you're really almost 10mph slower...

It is a fine mid sized cruiser, but it is not quick nor is it intended for long stretches at interstate speeds (70mph and above)

 

[Jimbob66]

The C50 will top out somewhere between 90 and 95 mph (actual). The speedo is a bit optimistic and will tell you you're doing the ton, when you're really almost 10mph slower...

Close enough ! If I ever do try it, and look down and see 100 MPH.. then In my mind I hit the ton mark. :wayhappy:

 

[EloSleeps]

and so Im seeing I bought a bike that won't break the 100 MPH mark.

Not that I go that fast but ...

It'll go 100, and probably even a bit more you just gotta ride it out on a fairly even surface 😉 I got the vl800 intruder

 

[oldenslow]

Funny, but my Corolla won't top out but 4 miles per hour faster than my C50, but I never have anyone wonder how in the world I keep up with highway traffic.

91 MPH is all you need. If you want more, buy something else.

 

[Whiskey]

I see you've never been on the interstate through Atlanta.

 

[ducatisean93111]

From what i'm reading I guess someone already replaced my final drive on the used bike I picked up. At 90mph I'm cruising at just shy of 3k rpm.