Triumphrat

wonderdog · 09-04-2006

Yesterday's ride offered the opportunity to see what Bonnie would do wide open. Not being a gearhead, I don't know if this is max performance or something less so please chime in with your comments.

I'm asking for it with that last statement! :-D

Conditions - Traveling west on interstate, flat, wind from the southwest about 10mph. Standard Bonnie is completely stock and has a Parabellum windshield. I probably weighed 220 wearing my gear.

Indicated speed was 105mph and the tach registered 6100rpm. 18 tooth front sprocket.

She was stable, fastest I've ever gone on her and a couple of SUVs still felt they had to pass me.

It was a cool morning that warmed up to about 89 when I got home at noon after 325 solo miles. Loved it.

Dennis

[ This message was edited by: wonderdog on 2006-09-04 07:10 ]

merlin · 09-04-2006

Someone else will come up with the math for RPM. 18 T, speed. though if you were at WOT, you seem about 5 - 10 mph off max. Your wight, the windscreen, the head wind. maybe it's about right, maybe a tweak will give you a bit more.
My comment though is more of a question, really - why were you doing this?
I mean, we all 'do the ton' now and then, but if you're trying to judge the bike's performance by determining it's max speed at WOT, somehow I think you're not looking at the relevant performance factors for this kind of bike. Even if you determine that its not quite hitting top, but good in all other areas - its kind of like, so what? If you're bonnie is tooling along at 105 - there ain't nothing to fix.
And FYI, with the 'optomistic' speedometer, you were probably just at 100 true. I betcha the bike will do it all day long too, though in my mind, its not the right tool for that kind of job.

wonderdog · 09-04-2006

Merlin,

As to why, I would have to say, "just 'cause..."
I was toolin' along at about 80 after spending most of the morning between 60 and 70, enjoying the empty Alabama state roads early on a Sunday morning. By the time I decided to head home traffic was still light and when I hit the interstate what little traffic there was was flying. After seeing that most folks were flying by me even though I was traveling along at 80, the idea hit me of what it would do at WOT. The opportunity presented itself in what was a relatively safe environment considering the lack of vehicles present.
I'm a rule of thumb type, not too concerned with itty bitty details and figured that the indicated 105 was probably pretty close and wasn't concerned too much with error, if 95 ok, if 100 ok. But I did wonder if it should go higher, mostly because the tach showed 'about' 6100-6200rpm and I wondered if it should have gone higher. I guess my question would be why does the tach hit 7000+ in 4th but not in 5th. Nope, no adjustments planned if its 'in the ballpark'. That's good enough for me.

Quote:

If you're bonnie is tooling along at 105 - there ain't nothing to fix.

That quote says it all and suits me to a T.

Thanks,
Dennis

DickBender · 09-04-2006

According to Gear Calculator 105 mph is about right at 6100 rpm.
To go faster you need either less resistance to slowing (tuck in, fairing, pump tyres up more) or more hp to overcome the resistance.
The resistance from wind increases as a square function of speed. ie if you double your speed you get 4 times the wind resistance.

Darcy

kliff · 09-04-2006

105 around here is good enough for a "Go STRAIGHT to Jail," card around here, do NOT pass go, call your lawyer, and have bail set by the judge......

Brooksie · 09-04-2006

I have the TOR pipes and a flyscreen, stock gearing. Topped out several times at 116 on the speedo. Most four wheelersstop trying at 100mph. If the bigger ones want to keep going, it's fun to watch them shred their tires.

wonderdog · 09-04-2006

Quote:

On 2006-09-04 17:24, kliff wrote:
105 around here is good enough for a "Go STRAIGHT to Jail," card around here, do NOT pass go, call your lawyer, and have bail set by the judge......

LUDOWICI, GEORGIA used to be a speed trap years ago. A roommate got caught there once. The speed limit went from 55 to 25 or something like that really quick. He was taken to court in the back room of a gas station, paid his fine in cash and was given one of those looks when he asked for his copy of the ticket and a receipt. He left without it.

I had to pay a deputy sheriff in JEFFERSON COUNTY, GEORGIA in cash after getting caught on the interstate doing 80 in a 70 with Florida tags. Cars with Georgia tags were going by me much faster. "Pay cash now or go to jail." That was the bottom line. He followed me to a Exxon station at the next exit where I cashed a traveler's check and paid my "fine".

I might have gotten caught Sunday, but took my chances. Light traffic, hadn't seen the man all day and figured maybe I could get away with it. Sometimes you just roll the dice...

Dennis

[ This message was edited by: wonderdog on 2006-09-04 18:25 ]

bgaz · 09-04-2006

Yes, if you loose the windscreen and tuck in, you might make it close to red line.

Then you could also allow the engine to breath better and do it also.

Lots of people like to know what their vehicles can do, I have found the top speed of everything I ever owned except the bonneville and my current acura TL (6 speed manual).

The TL is beyond what I would try on public roads, and the bonneville I have had up to about 110, but with 6 points already, it was only for a real short time, I know it will go faster.

I dont know if I will ever get to the top speed though, getting points is very expensive.

I got all my tickets (and I got out of a lot of them) on the 1969 Daytona, which seems to put me over the edge somehow. I can run the speed limit all the time on the bonneville, even under, I get up to speed quickly, but dont generaly exceed the speed limit most of the time, but on the Daytona, I want to go fast all the time.

I went out to get smokes today and was doing over 80 mph in 3rd gear at about 8000 rpm.
I just cant control myself at all on the Daytona...

Brett

mecscc · 09-04-2006

Dennis: now that you've done it, quit doing it. You've got a family as I recall. I'm not worried about what YOU can control, but at speeds like that anything that interferes with your bike that you have no control over turns you into bug splatter. Is it worth it?

There is risk and then there is risk. The equation changes depending on who depends on you.

Monte

PS: You don't have to listen to an old man's unsolicited advice, but I am kind of fond of you and even remember the first day you posted. I'd like to have you around for a lot more years. And I need somebody to have a cuppa with the next time Sue and I ride down to FLA or Gulf Shores.

wonderdog · 09-05-2006

Thanks Monte,

As one ole man to another, I hear ya' and I'm listenin'. It was a thrill to do, but the earlier ride was much more enjoyable.

Who am I to complain about unsolicited advice? Lord knows I give enough of it myself. :razz:

Sometimes the foolish young man inside rises up and is difficult to contain.

Let me know when you head for Gulf Shores or the general area and the coffee is on me. :-D

Dennis

[ This message was edited by: wonderdog on 2006-09-05 06:10 ]