C50 and the highway

[Oaksong]

I am big (360lbs).. how will the C50 do on the highway... like 80mph? Can it pass cars going 80 easily?

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by Oaksong

I am big (360lbs).. how will the C50 do on the highway... like 80mph? Can it pass cars going 80 easily?

Canadian 2007 C50 manual states (page 1-3)
"The combined weight of the rider, passenger, riding gear, accessories and cargo must never exceed load capacity of 206 kg (454 Ibs). The accessory and cargo weight must never exceed 25 kg (55 Ibs)."

I guess you'd be okay on a C50? Hope this helps.

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by Oaksong

I am big (360lbs).. how will the C50 do on the highway... like 80mph? Can it pass cars going 80 easily?

In addition to the previous note, I noticed the following warning in the manual:

Improperly loading your motorcycle can reduce your ability to balance
and steer the motorcycle. You should ride at reduced speeds, less than 130 km/h (80 mph), when the cargo is loaded or accessory is fitted.

Adjust suspension settings as necessary.

[tbone57]

You know, thats just a little bit much as a legal matter and responsible driving regardless of the bikes capabilities, let alone not very safe for others that obey the limits. Drive 80 mph by me and I'll report it, whether in a cager or a bike. Driving/passing over 80 mph on a highway shows a lack of maturity and uncalled risk to me and other drivers.

[johbren]

I agree with TBONES what is everones hurry. 80 mph indicated is really 75mph but still thats to fast and you just use more gas. I run no more than 70 mph indicated which is around 65 actual and still everyone is blowing by me. I know ill get some flak from this but I wish they would bring back the 55mph national speed limit It would save this country alot of fuel. and save lives. maybe have an exemption in some of the big western states. Oaksong the bike will do 80 and have power to pass even at 360 lbs. I know you may live in one of those areas where everyone drive at high speed. In some areas of this country if you run 65 mph you risk getting hit in the rear.

[Oaksong]

Um... on the highways around here cagers are going 80... I am not planning to run screaming down the road in traffic, just keep up on the major interstate between my apartment/school and the nearby town where my parents and family live.

[Oaksong]

Originally Posted by johbren

Oaksong the bike will do 80 and have power to pass even at 360 lbs. I know you may live in one of those areas where everyone drive at high speed. In some areas of this country if you run 65 mph you risk getting hit in the rear.

One time, driving my car here, I was doing about 80 and I saw a cop come behind me. I said "%%%%!" even though I was keeping with traffic. The dude didn't put his lights on... he got impatient and pulled out from around me and blew by me going at least 95....

One of many such incidents.

[womper]

Originally Posted by Oaksong

One time, driving my car here, I was doing about 80 and I saw a cop come behind me. I said "%%%%!" even though I was keeping with traffic. The dude didn't put his lights on... he got impatient and pulled out from around me and blew by me going at least 95....

One of many such incidents.

yup... cops around here are the same way... as long as the whole pace of traffic is 80, cops don't do anything.

it's more dangerous to not follow pace than to speed...

and 80mph shouldn't be a big problem...
i think the top end of the c50/m50 is like 110-115 mph

[captjaneway3]

Originally Posted by womper

yup... cops around here are the same way... as long as the whole pace of traffic is 80, cops don't do anything.

it's more dangerous to not follow pace than to speed...

and 80mph shouldn't be a big problem...
i think the top end of the c50/m50 is like 110-115 mph

I've gotten it up to 105 throttle full open.

As far as changing the law back to 55 that will have no effect on how fast people drive as it had no effect on how fast people drove when the law was 55. Americans are in such a rush that the faster they go the better.

[tbone57]

Too bad laws don't seem to matter to some. Want it to be faster, try to change the law.
Want to set an example to your kids, obey the laws. Keeping up with the general pace of traffic is one thing, being the ones that establish the pace in the fast lane is another. I've witnessed a motorcycle cruising at over 80mph loose it on the freeway with fatal results. His chances would have been better had he been going slower and more controllable. If you have ever seen a bike develop high-speed front end wobble, this would not even be an issue. Fact is, that no matter how talented of a rider you are, things happen quicker the faster you go, and the only way to stop front-end wobble is to slow down. Don't think it can happen to you? Take your hands off your handlebars even momentarily at 80mph, or even 55mph, and see how quick a wobble can develop. Having rode bikes for over 38 years now, I will error on the side of slow and safe all the time. Can't remember the last time I read about a bike accident caused by the rider driving the speed limit, but do remember many that occurred at a "High Rate of Speed".

[jdw82]

This spring a guy not far from here was traveling on the freeway at around 110 mph and he split two tractor trailers, when he broke out in front he started wobbleing, lost it and, well, lets just say its a for sure thing he won't be doing that again. You can have all the laws possible, but you can't fix stupid.

[05HDRAM]

Are you confusing stupid riders with riding above the speed limit, because there is a difference. There can not be anyone with years of riding experience that has not had a situation where speeding was the better option than braking hard. When someone starts merging into your lane and there is a car behind you, will he be able to slow as quick as you ? Sometimes hitting 80mph to pass a car or truck is a necessary evil.

[tbone57]

Agree completely, that sometimes gunning it just to get out of trouble is definitely necessary at times.
Do not agree that passing someone that is doing 80 mph is ever smart or responsible. That would mean traveling at 85 to 90 mph just to make the pass. Too many miles under my belt to justify that type of driving. To me, that constitutes reckless driving and endangering others, and I think cops would believe the same.

[captjaneway3]

Nobody is talking about regularly flying
through traffic that is the type of insidious driving that is reserved for the insane sport bike drivers who see whipping though traffic as a sport. I was referring to a one time experiment late at night on a straight open road to see how fast the bike will actually go.

On the other hand, failure to keep up with the flow of traffic between 70 and 80 here on the Beltway will only sentence one to death. Keeping up with the flow of traffic is defensive driving.

[tbone57]

Agree completely! 70-80 mph on a freeway works for me.
(80-90 mph+) on a occupied freeway is another thing! We all have tested the capabilities of the bike in the right situation.

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by captjaneway3

On the other hand, failure to keep up with the flow of traffic between 70 and 80 here on the Beltway will only sentence one to death. Keeping up with the flow of traffic is defensive driving.

Well said!

[txrob779]

I am 280 and my wife is....over 200 lets say and we ride 65-70 all day. 80 is reaming the bike out pretty hard at any weight IMO.

[womper]

i'd like to say one thing...

if i were to tell my buddies (non-MC people) i'm going for a cruise... they don't think i'll be going 70-90 MPH...

when i'm 'cruising' i'm not going much past 60...
it's a 'Boulevard cruiser' ... and it does that very well

if i were to ride on interstates all day long it'd be getting a sport-touring or something like that...

[tbone57]

Not my goal (?) to report anybody, I do not look for speeders. I taught my grown kids well. Obey the laws and report those that do not! Don't like the laws, vote to change them, don't like the USA .......SEE YA.... Which reminds me of one of our customers horror stories. Seems her daughters boyfriend felt it was necessary to travel (I-75) at about 85-90 mph estimated, on his crotch-rocket. Also didn't bother anyone when he pulled a wheelie at those speeds. Unfortunately his girlfriend passenger was thrown from the bike and killed. (17 years old). Apparently no one felt it necessary to report his reckless driving, which happened over a 65 mile stretch of the freeway with many witnesses to his reckless driving. Just imagine if that were your daughter, and what a phone call reporting his behavior might have accomplished before the accident? Sorry, but if my call can prevent any death or reckless behavior on the roads, I will always have the time to make the call, as it could be my daughter or son in danger, hope you would do the same.

[womper]

you can get a ticket up here for slowing down the flow of traffic