"top" speed on a small bike - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

tommyt · 04-24-2006, 02:38 AM

Ok, I have a '92 Honda Nighthawk 250 that just came back into my possession after 8 years of sitting in someone's back yard. It runs/starts perfectly, and my only complaint is the top speed. I realize this bike has a very limited horsepower, but right now it tops out at about 70, and if the wind is blowing, 65. I would like to feel more comfortable getting on the interstate by getting a few more MPH and not have to keep her maxed out just to keep up with traffic. This bike was put through a lot, and I am not looking to make miracles or spend a lot of dough, but is there any suggestions for getting it to run around 80? OR was this thing just meant to be a trumped up moped from the beginning?

2005GZ250 · 04-24-2006, 05:59 AM

I have a GZ250 and it would sound like the engine was going to come apart at 70mph so I installed a 1 tooth larger front sprocket, the GZ will now run about 78mph but if I hit a good head wind it will still slow down. Now if I were to draft a big truck while going down hill with a tail wind I could hit 80mph

**87gsxrnut** · 04-24-2006, 08:52 AM

Yeah, re-gearing it will help and is the easiest way to get the higher MPH as well. Your gas mileage will also improve.

I had a Ninja 250 that would go slightly over 100 MPH.

- Nut

Navar · 05-03-2006, 04:13 AM

Unfortuatly, the 250 range bikes are not designed for hiway use...more for commuting in town.

Shea · 05-03-2006, 10:18 AM

Like 87 said, the Ninja 250 is about the only 250 bike (4 stroke) that I know of that will hit about 100mph.

If you are frequently on the highway, I would recommend that you look at a 500 Ninja in the future. Top speed on that is somewhere around 120-125 and has plenty of pull for the highway, but you don't sacrifice much gas milage. Down side to the bike is that they haven't put any new technology into it for the last 15 years or so. Perhaps that was to keep cost down.

04-24-2006, 02:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
tommyt Newbie Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 1	"top" speed on a small bike Ok, I have a '92 Honda Nighthawk 250 that just came back into my possession after 8 years of sitting in someone's back yard. It runs/starts perfectly, and my only complaint is the top speed. I realize this bike has a very limited horsepower, but right now it tops out at about 70, and if the wind is blowing, 65. I would like to feel more comfortable getting on the interstate by getting a few more MPH and not have to keep her maxed out just to keep up with traffic. This bike was put through a lot, and I am not looking to make miracles or spend a lot of dough, but is there any suggestions for getting it to run around 80? OR was this thing just meant to be a trumped up moped from the beginning?

04-24-2006, 05:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
2005GZ250 Fender Buffer Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2005 GZ250 1973 "heavyoldandslow" GT750 Location: Roland, AR Posts: 439	I have a GZ250 and it would sound like the engine was going to come apart at 70mph so I installed a 1 tooth larger front sprocket, the GZ will now run about 78mph but if I hit a good head wind it will still slow down. Now if I were to draft a big truck while going down hill with a tail wind I could hit 80mph __________________ I only ride 'em. I don't know what makes 'em work. Oddball: Donald Sutherland, Kelly's Heroes 1970

04-24-2006, 08:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
87gsxrnut Ho Dog Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 867-5309 Location: Terror Lake Posts: 4,224	Yeah, re-gearing it will help and is the easiest way to get the higher MPH as well. Your gas mileage will also improve. I had a Ninja 250 that would go slightly over 100 MPH. - Nut __________________ Person or person's unknown.

05-03-2006, 04:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
Navar Newbie Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 18	Unfortuatly, the 250 range bikes are not designed for hiway use...more for commuting in town. __________________ 2001 Suzuki GZ250 1972 VW Bug (short wheel-base, not the Beetle) Still Wishing for: 1968 Chevy C-10

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05-03-2006, 10:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
Shea Third gear and cruising Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: Buell XB12Ss Lightning Location: York, Pa Posts: 521	Like 87 said, the Ninja 250 is about the only 250 bike (4 stroke) that I know of that will hit about 100mph. If you are frequently on the highway, I would recommend that you look at a 500 Ninja in the future. Top speed on that is somewhere around 120-125 and has plenty of pull for the highway, but you don't sacrifice much gas milage. Down side to the bike is that they haven't put any new technology into it for the last 15 years or so. Perhaps that was to keep cost down.

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