the story that my Mom will never hear

[Blenvid]

Hi everyone,

I thought you'd like to hear the experience I had the other night. Something I probably shouldn't have done, I did. It was late, around 11pm, and I was on my way home from a friend's house, so maybe my judgment was impaired by my tired state. But, the moment presented itself and I just had to see what it was like. I took my bike up to 110mph last night.

I know you're probably thinking, "what an idiot," or "he's asking for it," or something of that sort. I also feel that it wasn't a sound call, but nonetheless, I did it. I'm less for it, and more for it. It makes me smile thinking about it, but it's a half smile like, "man I had a blast doing it but it sure was a dumb thing to do." Here's what happened:

I hopped off of Route 15 North onto a road called Devilbliss Road, aptly titled given the situation. It's a windy road for the most part, but has a few areas where it is ruler straight. It was one of these ruler straight areas that I slowly approached going about 40mph (the speed limit) in 3rd gear. The moon was out, the sky was crystal clear, stars were easily visible even with my helmet on going 70mph on Route 15, and the valley below was bathed in a blue light which allowed me to see for miles, literally. On each sides of the road, farmers fields bearing dirt and short grass ran for about half a mile to the edge of wooded areas. These wooded areas were small and one could easily see beyond and around them. As I started to descend this very gentle hill I could see straight ahead all the way to the top of the hill on the other side of this seemingly large shallow bowl. It was about a mile to the top of this hill.

My heart started to race at the thought of what I was about to do, but the conditions for this experience were near perfect. Besides it being night time, I still had excellent visibility, given my great supernova headlights and the light of the moon. I could easily see, there weren't any cops around, there weren't any other vehicles around, there weren't any other people around, and the road having the pavement equivalent of a baby's bum, was animal and grease stain free. I'd ridden on the road 3 other times that day and already knew this too. Lastly, I knew it was probably best to do this on a bike with 2500 miles, instead of 25,000 miles, So, I thought to myself, "let's see what she can do."

I slowly throttled on, but unlike times before, the throttle didn't stop until it hit the fully open position. I was at 80mph when I shifted into 6th, my top gear. It was almost like the world around me started to shake really fast when I passed 100. I don't know if this was because of my nervousness or if it was because of all the wind buffeting I was getting. The bike didn't feel any different stability wise all the way up, but I thought to myself, "anyone who thinks they're gonna take a turn at this speed is INSANE!"

I hit 110mph and backed off. My immediate thought was, "I can't believe this bike was that powerful all the way up to that speed." I know that I told you about how they compared the Sprint's acceleration in an '05 article of CycleWorld to "the Hoover Dam just broke, here's a raft." For me, it wasn't like what I'd imagine an R1 or Z-10 is like, unleashing a barely controllable force of angry power. It was like what I'd imagine being in a Saturn V was like, a constant pushing from some limitless energy source wondering when you're ever gonna stop accelerating, and I'd only reached 1,000mph. The torque never stopped. I might as well had been in 3rd gear getting on the highway, it just didn't stop pulling.

This wasn't supposed to turn out like a sales pitch for the Sprint, and I hope you don't take it this way. I've only ever been that fast in a car, and I can now say, "yeah I've done that." I'll probably never do it again. (unless I'm on a track) But my experience is just a testament to today's motorcycle technology. It's pretty amazing, and like we've all heard many times before, these machines can do more, a lot more than you and I think they can do.

I parked the Sprint, pulled off my gloves, and checked my trip computer. The gauge on my Sprint read my top speed as 109.6mph. HA! LOL :-D

[Whisperinsmith]

Not to diminish or belittle your rush, but I think when you read the post of "top speeds" here you'll be humbled. I was, and I hit 126mph after my break-in. Not even close. These guys are awesome (or nuts).

Two things come to mind (and I think it happens to most who ride). One; what a feeling! Two, what a foolish thing I just did.

I did love your description and emotions. The unsettling thing in my mind is, I think someday I'll get that perfect moment too and try to go faster than 126 and I'm wondering why.

Glad you enjoyed it and glad no rabbit jumped out at you. 110 mph :hihi:

Ride safe.

PS Don't let your mom learn to read the trip computer!

PPS I hope I didn't sound negative about your feat. 110mph is amazing and Panthers_Den is right on with your story.

[ This message was edited by: Whisperinsmith on 2006-02-07 08:20 ]

[Panthers_Den]

Nice description, you painted the picture perfectly. It was almost as if I was there myself :-)

The day I bought this bike (bought it used) I took it up to 110 on the highway (people were passing me up when I was going 85, I felt like a snail and had to prove otherwise that I was not. hehe). Then just a couple weeks ago as we were doing twisties I got the bike up to 123ish on one of the straight aways (I was just trying to keep up with the crazy people I was riding with, at that speed I was going I couldn't see a single one of them in front of me they were going so fast). Talk about a rush. At that speed it seemed to me like everything (except what I was looking directly at) was just a streaking line going by :-)

[chefjpd]

Well told story, But I agree with the Whisperinsmith.

110 is impressive to those who have never been up there, but now you have to try for a Quick speed blast. Nail it, top out each gear, then test your brakes!! I bet you won't get out of 5th.

You now need to beat your personal best

I hit 122 on the FDR Drive in Manhattan, i hit it between exits, and then backed off hard. (insane is the word that comes to mind)

:wow:

[86gn]

I've been faster on a bike than I have in a car. 110mph on the ST is fun but pushing it on up a ways and it begins to feel strained.

The Blackbird on the other hand just goes and asks for more. Up to 125mph is one level but when you surpass 150+ things change a bunch, at least for me. I haven't found the limits of the XX but I think I found mine. I came within 500rpms of redline once, boy was it a rush, I haven't been tempted to do it again though.

[draft1]

The only time i've done this and not felt foolish.............I blew by a pack of Harleys just to piss them off. But..........make sure you can hold that speed for long enough period of time so they don't catch you.

Happy (safe) riding

[DragonDan]

Yes, blasts of great speed are much fun.
I saw 135 on my speedo not too long ago.

It's way too easy to hit 100+ with these bikes.

[Isa]

From the Fall of '83 to the Spring of '84, I was touring in Mexico on my GS1100E Suzuki. On the stretch of hwy through the desert between Monterey and Guadalajara, I sustained a "touring speed" of 120-125 mph (2 up, fully loaded, for 2 - 3 hours). I did this because while cruising at 85 mph, a large tour bus passed me (very closely) like I was standing still.

With this said, I have no doubt that my RS could easily surpass the performance of my '83 Suzuki. Although I could no longer be so foolish as to try and duplicate that foolish act: at least not 2 up :-D

[Blenvid]

Hey guys,

Thanks.

I noticed you were hard on my heals from my last post Whisperinsmith. "PPS I hope I didn't sound negative about your feat." Not at all man. I offered to take my Mom for a ride. She just looked at me with this expression which said two things: "yeah right" and "but it sounds like fun." That's about the closest she'll be getting to my trip computer. :wink:

Panthers_Den, you said, "(people were passing me up when I was going 85, I felt like a snail and had to prove otherwise that I was not. hehe)." I feel like that alot, especially when I'm in around work. (Washington D.C.) The speed limit's 55 but 95% of all people go 80. I'd previously taken my Sprint up to 100 when a tractor trailor decided to change lanes when I was passing. Sometimes, you've just gotta get outta there.

A friend of mine supposedly went 160 on a -Busa. I say supposedly because I didn't see him do it. :tongue:

When you say Blackbird 86gn do you mean the CBR?

That's insane Isa. (I would've probably done the same thing) pcn:

-Blenvid

[skrap1r0n]

Grats on hitting triple digits. I have pegged my throttle in 6th gear for a bit, although I'm not sure what my speed was as I had my speedo taped over at the time, since I was on the track. One thing to note, though, If you get too close to the rev limiter at speed, the bike tends to keep itself from going faster as it seems to check the throttle. I could feel it cutting back a bit.

I know I have seen 140 indicated on the road before, I was trying to keep up with a couple of 'busas. One of the busa riders apparently ddin't have the sack to clear 130 because I passed him. The other one was steadily pulling away, no way in hell was I gonna catch him. His turbo was doing a number on me.

I ~believe~ i have heard somewhere that the the speedo's on sprints are about 10% over true speed, so 140 indicated would actually be 126 clocked.

Speed is addictive to me. I haev noticed that re: speed, theres usually a stage in the 110-120 mph range where I begin to thing *** an I doing, but then it kinda hits me that this is such a freaking rush I gotta do more.

I was very impressed with the bikes willingness to do that. I know there have been several times when "cruising" with a group and I have looked down and was in the 100-115 range. The smoothness is utterly incredible, and theres very little wind effect for me at that speed. The fairing on my RS creates a beautiful little bubble I can tuck into.

At any rate, speed isn't that bad as long as you are in a safe place to do it and aren't worried about getting State sponsored performance awards.