Top Speed?

[gunrunner]

I haven't been able to get mine past 135 on the clock, maybe that windshield has something to do with it..

I had bout 20% throttle to go at 130 .unk:

 

[naughtyG]

I had bout 20% throttle to go at 130 .unk:

Makes me think a valve job may help more than removing the shield..

 

[PATMAX]

Back when I was young and dumb, (and a lot lighter) I took my new 1986 VMax on a night time blast on a brand new highway (675 in Dayton, Ohio) and ran pegged for about 4-5 minutes. It felt like my helmet was being pulled from my head even though I was tucked as tight as I could. If my eyes would not have teared up, I would have stayed in it longer. I kept it pegged or bouncing off the peg and never had the "wobble" at any time. This was on a bike with slip ons, and air filter. I got a chance to run along side a buddy and his Panetera at the same speeds and his speedo says I was about ten mph short of indicated speed. Now, my nerve runs out before my Max does at about 140 indicated. Maturity sucks!

 

[Vinmax]

Back in 2003, I took my '01 Max to 141.8 mph with my Garmin GPS mounted with a velcro/magnet thing I made to the top of my tank (think the speedo said close to 150 or so). Stayed there just fine. I was worried though and only backed out because I thought I was going to lose it (the GPS, not the bike).

I was riding with a few other Vmax guys and no one would run even close to that high. Even the guys with aftermarket pipes. We would all mostly run even till about 125 or so and then those guys would slowly fade away and I just kept it nailed. When we'd stop, they were asking me how I can go so fast with a stock exhaust and with no wobbles. I told 'em it was tuned right and the tires were aired up good. About 40 front and 42 rear. I think I ran faster when I got on radials but never had the GPS to prove it. I think the thin air helped the top speed even though you're down on horsepower up here.

By the way, that was at a Colorado altitude of about 4971 feet on lonely hwy 14 coming back from Cabela's in Sydney Nebraska. Took a pic of the GPS when I got back home to remember it.

Vinnie

 

[gunrunner]

Makes me think a valve job may help more than removing the shield..

Maybe , i have the small screen on mine , yours could make a diff but wouldnt think it was that much ...

 

[Fast Freddy]

had mine to an indicated 135 mph with the wife on the back unk: my GPS recorded a MAX speed of 130 mph......

 

[Bill Seward]

I saw 150 indicated on my '85, back in '85. Tachometer was at redline. Playing with the numbers (60mph = a bit less than 4,000 RPM ) led me to believe the bike was doing at least 140+.

Only did it (150) once, but have seen 125-130 numerous times when we were both younger. 119K on the original bearings in the engine kinda make you think twice before doing anything too stupid.

I'd be willing to bet the bike sill still pull 135+ - but you're not gonna see ME do it!

 

[HDKILA]

Some of you guys with lower top speeds (in the 120's or 130's) should consider getting a larger main jet in the carbs. I have heard of several other members on here losing steam at those speeds and it could be due to the main jet being too small.

Mine hit 140 pretty quickly a few weeks ago...

 

[CarlM]

142 on the guage is the best I saw on my '96 Vmax.

I saw 181 on the guage of my '05 R1, I figure it was more like 160 real speed. I than installed a speed-o-healer (electronic speedo correction device) and saw a true 175 on the guage.

So far the best I've seen on the '09 Vmax is 143 on the guage and I had throttle left. But more importantly the bike was extremely well planted, no shakes, shimmies or any other crazy crap like my gen 1. All I need now is the top end eliminator removed.

 

[Redbone]

I been to ~ 148 as indicated on the speedometer, my brother pulled alongside said I was going 145 on his....I would say 140+ .
..I'll time it with my GPS one day soon at the old abandoned air base.