cruise speeds

[Deleted account 250319001]

On the open road, what is the average cruise speed.
R1150GS
This is looking at it for two reasons.
1) fuel
2) Engine protection

I just would like to know what the majorty of you lot cruise at.

80mph = 4000rpm

 

[richie]

On motorways I try and stick to 4500RPM on my 1100 which equates to about 120KMH (gps speed)

This means I can get a 250 mile range of the tank which is exactly my route to work and back twice. If I ride any quicker I can't make it so I have to stop for petrol. Meaning its quicker to ride a bit slower and I don't rik getting "flashed" as 120 is the speed limit.

Cheers...

PS have you an "E" or a "6" speed box.

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

i have an "E" box,
what is the diff between the "E" and the 6?

 

[Steve]

i have an "E" box,
what is the diff between the "E" and the 6?

The 6 is a natural progression from 5, like a standard gearbox. The E is more of an overdrive, bigger gap between 5 and E.

The "six speed" (as opposed to 5 + E) is not very common on standard 1150s.

 

[Possu]

The 6 is a natural progression from 5, like a standard gearbox. The E is more of an overdrive, bigger gap between 5 and E.

The "six speed" (as opposed to 5 + E) is not very common on standard 1150s.

6 speed box: 6th gear equates to about 18mph per 1,000rpm i.e. 90mph @ 5,000rpm. Some call this the Sports gearbox I believe.

The regular box has a high (overdrive) 6th gear, 20mph per 1,000rpm or 100mph @ 5,000rpm.

I was slightly disappointed at first that my 1150GS came with the lower 6th gear but have since come to appreciate it when engaging in "spirited" riding, no worries about changing down to 5th & locking up the rear wheel.

Despite the lower top gear, I still managed 12-13 miles per litre on holiday in Europe recently (54-59mpg).

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

cruise

Im glad you mentioned the "locking up" of the rear wheel,
Im still getting used to the bike, but one part has had me worried,
my rear wheel would lock up if i changed gear (down) and let the clutch out too quick. Im now getting used to "matching" the revs to avoid the lock up. it still catches me out now and then.

 

[Possu]

IMO the gap between 5th & 6th on the overdrive gearbox is way too big, it goes from 15mph to 20mph per 1,000rpm in one go. Okay whn changing up but no good when changing down at speed.

 

[cookie]

well i like the E top gear. the gap to 5th is pretty big, but once in 6th, it's sooo cruisey

first is way too high though.

 

[garyfzs]

turn that thing that fits in your right hand till it hits the stop

 

[rocks]

E..

I usually stick to 70mph.. on motorways.. M6 have SPECS, M56 has new mobile Van, M53 has a new mobile van and plenty of unmarked. M60 is camera'd now. M62 is camera'd and heavily patrolled.. so now days.. I cruise and stick religously to the limits as best as i can.

I have the E drive and find.. that sitting at 70mhp. It just cruises perfectly.. relaxed riding, and can pickup to over take easily without dropping a gear. Get a really good mileage.

Please note that BMW 70mph.. ie my clocks on the bike.. have heard people say they are not too accurate.

I have never had a problem with locking up the rear.. on the GS.. only ever done it once, on the Bandit, coming off a RA.. I dropped two gears from 3rd to first.. and punched the throttle.. engine screamed.. but the rear locked. Quickly pulled clutch in, before i went over the bars.. got a major beeping from the car behind..

Teach him to chase my tail..

 

[Max_Kool]

I'm riding an R1100GS with a chopped off stock screen:

I'm not really into high speed cruising as you can guess.
I normally cruise at about 130 to 140 km/h doing 1 liter of Shell V-power every 17-18 km's.

 

[(RIP) maverick]

We normally do between 80-90mph on the motorway as my 1100 runs very well in that range with enough power to accelarate if needed or slow down when I spot something ominous(read blue flashing light/ yellow camera's )

My fuel consumption does not really alter although to be honest have never stuck with not going over 75mph with the beemer. My africa twin gives me 25 miles more on a tank by just keeping it under 80mph on the motorways

 

[GSAde]

Usually find the speedo reads approx 10% fast, on my "overdriven" bike cruising at an indicated 85 equates to 77 on the GPS. You'd have to be pretty unlucky to get nicked at 77 - but you COULD - it's your choice. As for care of the engine it'll happily cruise at an indicated ton, and has done on the continent for many a mile. Don't be fooled into being too gentle with it, they go much better when given a bit of stick enjoy.

Ade

 

[Wikkus]

On the open road, what is the average cruise speed.
R1150GS
This is looking at it for two reasons.
1) fuel
2) Engine protection

I just would like to know what the majorty of you lot cruise at.

80mph = 4000rpm

*cough* of course I never exceed the speed limit, officer, except on privately owned, closed roads...


Meanwhile, back in reality, 100 (indicated) mph = ~5krpm. There's a "sweet spot" at just over 90 (indicated) mph which is just over 4krpm; this appears to be the most comfortable zone to keep the buzziness at bay whilst still being able to munch miles at a reasonable rate.

Doing this sort of speed for a couple or more hours at a time down to Spain earlier this year equated to about 45mpg or 285miles per fill-up (with a couple of litres to spare).

My daily commute (80 mile round-trip) sees me filling up every couple of days as over two thirds of it are on the (M25) motorway and fast-ish A-roads with the other third being 30mph urban filtering. This equates to about 37mpg or 230miles to drink 28litres.

Worst I've seen was about 34mpg after a major hoon on A and B-roads with a bunch of (mainly sportsbike-riding) mates where I managed to empty the tank at a gnats over 200miles.

What I'd really love would be this bike's handling and general do-it-all ease of use, but with another 30-ish mph of top speed just for those occasional moments of lunacy...
*ahem*

Rik.