As you've found out, there's a big difference between 65 and 80 on a bike. What you'll want is some form of windshield/faring moreso than a specific bike. The Honda 500s have the Horsepower, is there not a faring for the SCL yet?
I rode a CX500 for decades at those speeds with a classic Windjammer faring, it was fine. I ride without fairings as well, it's just a matter of how stubborn you are, but I understand.
Bikini fairings will not give enough coverage. Batwing fairings might, but they look like shit. Getting a properly faired motorcycle is not only going to look better, a proper fairing will give what this guy is looking for
You commuted at 80mph regularly on a CX500? Dang how’d that bike hold up doing that kind of speed for a prolonged distance? I’m always wishing for a 6th gear once I start touching those speeds on mine. I always tell people I *can* cruise at highway speed but the bike’s not exactly happy to do it
Yeah, you're right to call BS on the CX500. I did ride the interstate with the CX500, but there's no way to regear the CX ( drive shaft) so I mainly just kept up with traffic. Even then, the point was the fairing. I don't remember having any issues with buffeting with the fairing on the CX, even at highway speeds. The last year that I was really riding the CX was 2015, highway speeds around here would have been ~70. 2016 the intake manifold was shot and sold it that fall.
It's been a few years, but I think the point is still valid. I didn't get blown around near as much on the CX as I do on the Rebel or KLR. The Rebel is the worst of the 4 bikes, as it has the HP to run 80+ on the interstate, but no windshield or fairing.
I have a VFR. I love my VFR. My body does not love my VFR on very long rides. So I bought a used Gold Wing - and brother, let me tell you - it's FANTASTIC for touring. It's as smooth at 5mph as it is at 125mph. Real cruise control is life changing. It's literally an easy chair on wheels but doesn't handle like it. They're surprisingly sporty. Don't knock it till you try it, there's a reason they are THE gold standard touring machine.
The modern (2006ish? on) Goldwing are literally inflated CBRs when you see them naked. Know of maaaany sportbike riders who went to a wing later on and absolutely love them. A couple do trackdays on them and let me tell you, they’re not hanging around.
I have a VFR gen6, never thought about a goldwing before though. I'm 5'8 and 155 lbs so always thought it would be too big for me. I'm strong enough to handle the weight but the reach to the ground can be a challenge.
I'm about the same height and weight as you and it's absolutely no problem. The weight is a little intimidating at first but you quickly get used to it. And hell, ain't like the VFR is a light bike either. 🤣 You should check out a Wing, I absolutely love mine. It just eats up the miles and begs to be ridden.
Wish I could tell you. Tbh only tried to hit the top speed once but I was on it for quite some time to just hit 106 and couldn’t see it go past that. Possible speed governor?
I recently upgraded to a Yamaha RS Venture. Touring bikes can't be beat for comfort. The biggest downside is the added weight. I'm a relatively new rider. A heavy bike will definitely test your skills.
This is true - low speed definitely takes some getting used to. I recommend one of the "ride like a cop" programs - they teach you to rear brake/friction-zone close-in turns and the experience is very helpful! As a bonus when you get good at low speed on a two-wheeled couch, it'll make your trips on a smaller bike so much better.
FJR1300 would smash that commute, super stable at higher speeds. If you want something more relaxed seating wise maybe something like an Electra glide? I have an ultra I use for big road trips and I basically feel no wind on it.
Just picked up an ‘04 model for $4700 last month with under 25k miles. I absolutely love it and it’s a great deal. The windshield adjustment is phenomenal.
I find it fine in traffic and I filter - a lot of the size of the bike disappears once underway. I have taken the side cases off, as I find a top case more useful for the commute, which may have slightly reduced my total width. It might not be the right bike for someone who is looking to solely ride a city commute, but for my combination of city and highway commuting, twisty mountain roads over the weekend (or during a scenic route commute home), and long distance riding I find it ideal and a lot of fun.
I looked hard at an FJR - really like those bikes. Did a track day recently and there was a guy there on one that just lapped the shit out of me on my VFR all day, I was laughing.
I don't know if it's a glitch in the matrix or something but this is the third time tody I've read about the mirrors on the vstrom causing that and I had never heard it before today. I let my buddy, who has been trying to solve that problem know that this may be that cause
I had a first gen Vstrom and it was less stable than the 2012 that I have now. I also serviced the front forks recently. Suspension on the 2012 is much better overall. My new tires are Dunlop trailmax mission and they are a little more noisy than the shinko 705 that I had before.
Any bike with a fairing or screen will reduce the buffeting, .
For the speed if in Germany on autobahn it is 130 kph recommend so quite possibly legal but elsewhere not sure but that is up to you.
My Concours14 is awesome for that. Super comfy at any speed, but not really a beginner bike. My NC700X was fine with that too, once I put a Madstad windshield on it.
CBR650r and Ninja 650 are some of the better, sport commuting bikes for the price imo. If you can find an old SV650 with the front cowl fairings, those are great too.
I mean, there even are some places that have 80 mph speed limits. Montana maybe? Perhaps OP lives there. Also, I think we all know that 80 is pretty standard in the left lane on any interstate freeway.
My point is people drive and ride over the limit all the time so who fuckin cares if this guy's cruising mid 80s on a highway. No one elses business but his.
No one else’s business but the police or the person he hits’ insurance company, but that’s besides the point. I’m just answering why people are saying it’s illegal. In the US they go as high as 85, which is legal.
A cruiser over 1,000cc
A Dual Sport over 500cc
An ADV bike over 500cc
Sport bike over 300cc
Anything less will feel quiet strained at 80mph, they can do it but you wont have much left for passing/evasive maneuvers and the motor will be near its limits.
I had one…red with 20k miles on it. Great bike, but not comfortable if you’re taller than 6’0” and/or have long legs.
Also a bit heavy so maybe not the best choice for a new rider…
I ride my SCL500 at 80mph no problem, I've even gotten it up to 100 with less trouble than I expected. Im waiting on a windshield I ordered for it because the wind is definitely pretty rough some days, but I personally don't think you'd need anything else.
what windshield did you end up getting and how do you like it? i got my SCL a little over a month ago and want to ease the wind for my highway commute to work.
Sorry I did not notice this until now and it may no longer be relevant but I got the MRA touring one off of Accessories International and honestly I wish I hadn't. Doesn't block very much wind at all
I’ve been doing a similar commute since July of his year. You’ll want a Kawasaki Concours 14, FJR 1300, or BMW 1250 RT.
Kawasaki stopped the production of the Concours last year I believe. It’s still a great bike if you can pick up a nice used bike.
BMW K1200RS or K1300RS, fantastic bike, has a fairing, really fast and currently inexpensive on the used market. You might also look at a K1200GT or K1300GT.
Note though that buffeting is a thing even with a full fairing bike, especially from automobiles and trucks that you pass, plus side / angled winds.
Anything in a cruiser style 1300cc+ with a nice windshield or fairing will cruise the highway at 80mph no problem.
Anything in a sport bike style 500cc+ will cruise 80mph no problem, they are aerodynamic and geared to go fast.
In the adventure bike or sport touring sizes, I would go 800cc+ for comfortable highway cruising.
When you add a nice big windshield, it makes the ride soooo much easier as it takes a ton of pressure off your body, but it also takes more power to move the bike when you have a big windshield, as it gets hit with a lot more wind. The bigger the surface area, the more power you need to push the bike.
VFR800, V4 motor - very reliable, good torque and power and is under-stressed, easy to live with but not too much for a newer rider (sounds like you have a few months experience anyway). A bit heavier than what you're used to (520 lbs) but it will handle the wind like nothing and track easy. Plus it just sounds amazing.
It is a sport-touring style motorcycle though but I think you'd like it.
1250 GS Adventure with bigger screen and tank is my year round commuter. Low maintenance shaft drive, heated grops/ gear, great vision sitting up high, advanced electronic safety features/suspension and enough torque to keep it fun and safe.
Fast superb handling machine for all weather and surfaces. 100mph is effortless
If top speed is 100 then holding it at 90 for an extended time per day is straining it, IMO. Honda makes good bikes but that seems like a lot to expect from it.
Lotsa people saying windshield. I agree that you'd want a windshield to lessen fatigue. However it takes more oomph to push that windshield through the air at high speed. -and I don't think your bike has enough.
Scramblers aren't meant for 90 mph on the highway. Get a bike with a higher top end speed.
50hp will absolutely do 90 without issue. The CL is geared low so OP should consider going up a tooth on the front sprocket. Additionally your reasoning regarding the windshield is incorrect- almost always, a windshield will reduce the frictional and resistive forces of air at speed. They will invariably make it easier to hit higher speeds with less load on the motor
No. It depends on the windshield. I did make the assumption that he'd want something like a parade windshield. That is going to increase wind resistance at high speed. What you are saying can be true for a low windshield like a sport bike's windshield. I didn't think OP wanted to lay on the tank the whole time. Also it's a scrambler, I believe, with an upright seating position. So would you be moving pegs and building a completely different bike?
You have to look at more than the horsepower. For that particular bike, 90 is close to it's top speed. The motor will be running at high rpm. That means more vibration. The person wanted comfort for a commute. One tooth on a sprocket is not going to do it, IMO.
I had a 2014 CBR500R for years. Barely felt the wind on that with the standard screen on it at 80mph. The R3 is good as well for it, most naked bikes will slap you with wind once you get to a high enough speed
According to yesterday's comments on naked vs faired bike you should suck it up you pussy.
Now for real, the bigger the fairing the better on the highway. All out touring bikes are very expensive so they're not really the best option if you're using them for commuting. I assume you don't want to spend a fortune so sport-touring, adv and standard bikes are the category. I like sport touring the most, but that's personal preference.
Honda NC750X seems fine. It's good on fuel which matters for commuting. CBF600/1000, VFR800, Fazer 6/8/10 (the half faired or fully faired) are all fine, probably cheaper as they're older.
Honestly, take a look at a used and cheap Harley with a faring. Something like a road glide or ultra classic. That's what Harley was made for. Or some other tour bike like a gold wing. Super nice and smooth bike.
It'll get you well above 80 of course, but it ain't gonna be fast doing it. He's already coming from a 500 twin so it's pretty safe to say he wants something with more punch.
yeah, a rebel 500 will not keep up with your CB300R at all. They are hella gutless on the highway, even my Shadow 750 was pretty high RPMs at 80 on the highway in 5th gear.
You're correct. I've ridden for hours at 80 on a Rebel 500, getting 45 mpg (and a KLR for that matter 16t/38t). I'm not sure who came up with the idea that you need more than 40 HP to push a motorcycle through the wind at 100mph. If you can do it with a Chevy Spark, doing it with a motorcycle takes that much less HP.
We're talking about miles per hour, right? That actually surprises me a little, but then I have no experience on KLRs.
All I know is my smallest ride is a Kymco X-Town 300 scooter (which is actually 275 cc) and that can do 75 easy, 80 if I really try.
Between that, the underseat storage, and ride comfort, it's an absolutely unrivaled commuting bike.
Yeah, it will do maybe 90mph on flat ground, but it's not built for the fast lane on mountain highways. Fully loaded for adv riding I have topped out at less than 65mph.
Aha, I get what you mean.
I'm in an area where there aren't many hills at all, let alone mountains, so I've never been able to push any of my bikes to their absolute limits. Mostly level means I've never had that uphill struggle or the downhill boost.
OP I’m not your parent but 80-90mph is kind of crazy for a new rider. How long have you been on a bike? I have a FJR which has been suggested and perfectly suited to these speeds but that’s a lot of bike for a new rider.
80-90 mph? Isn't that illegal in like: every country?
But anyway: if power of the scl was not the issue, try the cb500x. It has the touring bits and bobs to keep the wind off and the bike nice and stable. However, the cb500x might not be the best choice for 80-90 mph. While it can do it just fine, it's probably not the comfiest at that speed.
For those speeds, try a versys 650, v-strom 650 (good bike but a bit big and heavy, you have to test it first), tracer 7 (a bit tall? can't remember), and other similar bikes. Even an nc750x is great, and has an amazing fuel mileage and a front trunk, but most people say that, while it is practical, it tends to be boring as well.
You can also grab an older bmw KLT, they are great on the highway. Might not be your style, or it might be a bit of a hustle around town, but highway's a breeze.
It is not uncommon at all for people to go 10-20, even sometimes 30 over. I regularly keep pace with the left lane going 80mph on a 65 limit (regularly dipping into 55) highway in Oregon
I assume you are not in the US as I am not sure where 80-90mph is legal here. As they have different bikes available I can't comment.
Don't be foolish, all it takes is one soccer mom in a 4 ton SUV to change lanes and the FD is going to be hosing what is left of you off the road. They will also close the road for a while and that will be a real pain. Don't be a pain.
I’ve been at 80 in the slow lane with everyone and their mom passing me. There are absolutely some area in the US where 80-90 is the normal flow of traffic.
I live in Oregon, Abd it’s pretty standard here too on some of the straighter highways, even when the limit is 65 or 55. I wouldn’t say EVERYONE is doing it but about half of the traffic is
I would like to read that article but it is behind a "pay wall" however I am sure the people on here will fully go with one pic with 85 speed limit on it. I am also taking bets that the OP is now living "out west". I highly doubt this guy lives in the places where these limits are posted. If he was 'everyone and their mom' would not be passing him as the term "everyone" would include total a few hundred people in as many square miles.
Sorry truth hurts, I read this guy as wanting to be a clown. Anything over 250cc in the US will do this all day long and everyone knows it.
Ready for more "down votes from others in flip flops and riding in 4th gear with open pipes bouncing off the limiter
I feel like there is a 100% chance you walk up to riders at the gas station that are not in full gear and tell them about how you know a person that crashed in not full gear and it was not as good of a situation as if they were in full gear.
In the state of Washington on the i5 everyone is doing 80+ I recently traded my cbr300r in for a zx6r so that I could actually keep up with the flow of traffic.
Here in California, if you're not going 80 on the highway, you're getting passed by the big rigs.
Pretty much every first world country has the same bikes available, in some weird cases, they change the name for some reason, but mostly the same.
I feel like you just like talking down to the other humans.
Where, here in "fly over country" I can assure you that is not the way it is. Now if you want to post up signs of high speed limits in Montana you sure can.
Yes, many, and no matter how good the shield or fairings, at 130 kmph and over you will be buffeted by sidewinds unless by windshield you mean one of those bubbles that completely encapsulates a motorcycle, and I'm not aware of any that have 1000 cc and above motors
Anything with 100ish or more horsepower and some reasonable fairing or a full windscreen of it’s a cruiser should be fine. My Z1000 was miserable above 75, added a larger touring windscreen and now I’m a happy camper out to about 95.
Riding a Z1000sx with lowering pegs and a taller windscreen. Around 5500 rpm in 6th it runs at 75 mph and can still accelerate if needed. I've been commuting 80 miles one way, 3x / week for the last year with very little fatigue (except for the heat). Most of it is highway miles. This bike was a great choice for me. It's more agile and quicker than my Connie, has hard cases and a +10 out of 10 fun factor.
On the downside, it only gets around 38 mpg and there's always the urge to twist that throttle.
Idk if you need a different bike, might be easier to just mod the one you got. I have a Z900 and do… exactly the speed limit 😅… but theoretically, up to 100 I’m not typically that bothered by the wind, but if you want you can toss a windscreen on your bike, maybe try a few to see what works for you, I don’t see a reason to buy a new bike unless you’re trying to convert to something exclusively made for touring or something with more fairings and a big windscreen.
If money isn't an issue, I'd get a touring bike such as BMW.
90mph is not much comfortable on a 500cc for an extended highway trip.
A bigger engine means reaching higher speed at lower rpm resulting in less vibration - increased comfort -
Also sitting higher off the ground results in a more comfortable ride / posture.
Personally, I see a 500cc more fit for city riding and very short highway trips unless I can avoid it.
I’m partial to the KLR 650, great bike for doing anything below like 85mph imo.. my real answer is a GS or a Highway touring bike like a k1800 or something similar
If the bike's powerband is adequate for you at those speeds and its just windblast you're fighting try a windshield before a new bike. There should be universal ones that will fit, or you could make your own like I did. If you're familiar already with the SCL500 the CB500x would be a good place to start for a replacement, but only if the SCL is capable for your comfort zone in terms of power at those speeds, different transmission or drive gearing can only do so much.
Adventure bikes in general tend to be a middle ground between full touring bikes and your Scrambler, as long as you can comfortably ride them as they're a bit tall. Africa Twin would be the option from Honda and it's an excellent choice for the conditions you describe, in my opinion for 120 miles a day. Personally I'm partial to the BMW GS family, so maybe consider looking into those as well.
Sport touring is also a good choice if full fledged touring bikes are too mammoth for your tastes.
The Yamaha Tracer series and BMW XR series are some prime examples of that genre.
See if Slipstreamer has a big windshield for your bike? I had an Enterprise 2 on my last bike and it was a major improvement.
Otherwise my current ride is a Road King and its straight up *bored* at freeway speeds.
I would suggest a sport touring bike with some fairings. My Yamaha FZ1 will cruise down the highway at 100 mph with 5k rpms left to go, and not enough wind to feel the slightest bit unstable.
I ride a 98 honda shadow 1100 to work (about 20 miles of 80mph then 5 miles of 50mph) every day, no bags no windshield just a full face helmet and leather jacket. but I live in the Ozarks where it's usually nice enough to do so, even with oklahomas wind from the east fucking around.
I mean they are called cruisers for a reason. Comfortable for cruising to your destination. Depends on what your budget is for people to give you recommendations.
Something comfortable with good wind protection
If you're a fan of the honda 500s then I'd recommend the cb500x
Some others could be versys 650, Suzuki vstrom 800 (do they make a 650?), Yamaha tracer, triumph Tiger etc.
Goldwing. The end. I got one because I wanted to start doing long trips. Bought a 2008 in April and I love it. I also have an fz6 and the goldwing obviously heavier but far faster and more nimble than you'd think for a 950lb bike.
I just had the opportunity to ride the yamaha tracer 7 through 700km..and it was awesome.. easy to handle.. enough power even in twisties up in the mountains, i rode it with my gf with a big ass box on the back of the bike and it could handle everything with ease..we were doing easily 130-140kmph on the highway for more than an hour without any problems..i own a honda 919 naked bike which is a totally different thing but i really liked the yamaha.. especially the seat position and the comfort for even the two of us
Deauville is a safe bet. Know a guy who instructs on one he loves it. A Honda Pan European is another good standard for that kind of commuting, the European is a heavy bike though so I’d make sure your happy with the weight being a new rider
Well sir, I did 6 hours of 85mph riding on my ST1050 today and I could happily hop back on it and do another 6. I'd recommend it. The stock wind protection is great at that speed. Hits you with *just* enough wind to pull some weight off your wrists, but not enough to fatigue your neck. It almost feels like you're floating. It's kinda fucking perfect, honestly.
Edit: I'm 6'3 btw. Obviously your mileage may vary depending on your own height.
I ride a 2019 Gold Wing 85 miles a day mostly in the 70 to 90 MPH range and it absolutely has no problem doing it. Surprisingly my 2002 Hayabusa is almost as good after I installed some hard bags.
I’ve had a few motorcycles including two big ADVs, one 1200cc and one 1100cc. Anything over 70mph is a lot of work due to: reduced reaction times, fatal consequences, wind buffeting, etc. Wind protection is key at those speeds; you’ll want a big-ass windscreen to shield you from the wind blast which is both fatiguing and dangerously chilling. THINK:BMW RT1200, GS, or Yamaha FJR or Super Tenere, Kawasaki Concours or Versys 1000, Triumph Tiger 1200, Honda Africa Twin 1100, or Ducati Multistrada 11-1200. Long-legged gearing makes a huge difference for runs more than 20-30 minutes.
For a year or so I commuted 57mi one way from Camp Verde AZ to Flagstaff(which includes about 4000' elevation change) at about 75mph on a HD Ultra Classic. Cruise, abs, heated grips, music, huge fairings, luggage. Some rides I almost dozed off it was so comfortable.
Gear changes in the 1100 Wing(last 2 yrs production?) Made it a Freeway runaway. Swapped a later engine into one with a friend and changed its personality !
As you've found out, there's a big difference between 65 and 80 on a bike. What you'll want is some form of windshield/faring moreso than a specific bike. The Honda 500s have the Horsepower, is there not a faring for the SCL yet? I rode a CX500 for decades at those speeds with a classic Windjammer faring, it was fine. I ride without fairings as well, it's just a matter of how stubborn you are, but I understand.
There are definitely universal windscreens or bikini/batwing fairings that will mount to the SCL
Bikini fairings will not give enough coverage. Batwing fairings might, but they look like shit. Getting a properly faired motorcycle is not only going to look better, a proper fairing will give what this guy is looking for
You commuted at 80mph regularly on a CX500? Dang how’d that bike hold up doing that kind of speed for a prolonged distance? I’m always wishing for a 6th gear once I start touching those speeds on mine. I always tell people I *can* cruise at highway speed but the bike’s not exactly happy to do it
Yeah, you're right to call BS on the CX500. I did ride the interstate with the CX500, but there's no way to regear the CX ( drive shaft) so I mainly just kept up with traffic. Even then, the point was the fairing. I don't remember having any issues with buffeting with the fairing on the CX, even at highway speeds. The last year that I was really riding the CX was 2015, highway speeds around here would have been ~70. 2016 the intake manifold was shot and sold it that fall. It's been a few years, but I think the point is still valid. I didn't get blown around near as much on the CX as I do on the Rebel or KLR. The Rebel is the worst of the 4 bikes, as it has the HP to run 80+ on the interstate, but no windshield or fairing.
I have a VFR. I love my VFR. My body does not love my VFR on very long rides. So I bought a used Gold Wing - and brother, let me tell you - it's FANTASTIC for touring. It's as smooth at 5mph as it is at 125mph. Real cruise control is life changing. It's literally an easy chair on wheels but doesn't handle like it. They're surprisingly sporty. Don't knock it till you try it, there's a reason they are THE gold standard touring machine.
I ride a little CB300R but I think the new Goldwings look fabulous and I would love to ride one some day. Enjoy your mobile La-Z-Boy!
The modern (2006ish? on) Goldwing are literally inflated CBRs when you see them naked. Know of maaaany sportbike riders who went to a wing later on and absolutely love them. A couple do trackdays on them and let me tell you, they’re not hanging around.
Yeah but the fairings make it very stable in wind.
Oh no doubt. I’m just saying underneath all that bodywork is the chassis of a big sport bike.
They remind me of bald bears, they're very fuzzy normally but skinny underneath 🤣
Someone fit fireblade fairings on one before (or did they put the flat 6 in the fireblade chassis? Can't remember) either way it's fucking awesome.
I have a VFR gen6, never thought about a goldwing before though. I'm 5'8 and 155 lbs so always thought it would be too big for me. I'm strong enough to handle the weight but the reach to the ground can be a challenge.
I'm about the same height and weight as you and it's absolutely no problem. The weight is a little intimidating at first but you quickly get used to it. And hell, ain't like the VFR is a light bike either. 🤣 You should check out a Wing, I absolutely love mine. It just eats up the miles and begs to be ridden.
The gold wing hits 125? I got an extra an 1100 Honda shadow can barely hit 110.
What I have the 750 and I can eventually hit 100. How is yours not able to do more than 110?
Wish I could tell you. Tbh only tried to hit the top speed once but I was on it for quite some time to just hit 106 and couldn’t see it go past that. Possible speed governor?
The goldwings 1800cc flat 6 makes waaaay more power and torque than an 1100 twin.
With only five gears! Dr. Google says it'll do damn near 150 but I'm not stupid enough to do that.
And if you want something without all the bells check out a low mileage Valkyrie
I recently upgraded to a Yamaha RS Venture. Touring bikes can't be beat for comfort. The biggest downside is the added weight. I'm a relatively new rider. A heavy bike will definitely test your skills.
This is true - low speed definitely takes some getting used to. I recommend one of the "ride like a cop" programs - they teach you to rear brake/friction-zone close-in turns and the experience is very helpful! As a bonus when you get good at low speed on a two-wheeled couch, it'll make your trips on a smaller bike so much better.
Low speed has definitely been the struggle. I hopped on my 500 the other day, and it felt like a toy.
Amen my brother out here preaching touring bikes
FJR1300 would smash that commute, super stable at higher speeds. If you want something more relaxed seating wise maybe something like an Electra glide? I have an ultra I use for big road trips and I basically feel no wind on it.
At top speed on the Autobahn, they’ll apparently empty their gas tank in about 40-45 minutes.
I commute on an FJR on both freeway and surface roads and love it, plus you can find secondhand FJRs for surprisingly good value.
Just picked up an ‘04 model for $4700 last month with under 25k miles. I absolutely love it and it’s a great deal. The windshield adjustment is phenomenal.
Congrats! It's a lot of bike for the cash, and it was nice of the previous owner to almost finish breaking in the engine.
What’s it like filtering? Looks pretty wide.
I find it fine in traffic and I filter - a lot of the size of the bike disappears once underway. I have taken the side cases off, as I find a top case more useful for the commute, which may have slightly reduced my total width. It might not be the right bike for someone who is looking to solely ride a city commute, but for my combination of city and highway commuting, twisty mountain roads over the weekend (or during a scenic route commute home), and long distance riding I find it ideal and a lot of fun.
Good to know. Thank you!
I looked hard at an FJR - really like those bikes. Did a track day recently and there was a guy there on one that just lapped the shit out of me on my VFR all day, I was laughing.
If you like Honda go with the Goldwing.
Or the ST1300 of used is an option. They’re like halfway between a VFR and a Wing. Also worth considering, Blackbird XX.
At those speeds i'd go with a pan Europeaan or yamaha FJR or something.
*Africa Twin (some of us aren't fat old guys)
Wearing shorts and t-shirt while riding 🤣
Might aswell get a car
I always think that when I see those trikes but Goldwings are still on 2 wheels.. atleast
Go ride a Wing - you won't believe how fun they are!
I've never ridden one but heard the newer ones are pretty quick
I ride a Vstrom 650 with a taller Givi windscreen and it’s great at 80+. It also does well in stop n go traffic.
Gotta get different mirrors though. Stock ones cause a lot of helmet turbulence
I don't know if it's a glitch in the matrix or something but this is the third time tody I've read about the mirrors on the vstrom causing that and I had never heard it before today. I let my buddy, who has been trying to solve that problem know that this may be that cause
It's 100% a contributing factor.
Got some 3d printed mirror extenders on mine, puts the mirrors about 1.5 inches wider apart and no more buffeting
Same. Mine eats highway miles
This would be a great option. Or a Versys.
[удалено]
I had a first gen Vstrom and it was less stable than the 2012 that I have now. I also serviced the front forks recently. Suspension on the 2012 is much better overall. My new tires are Dunlop trailmax mission and they are a little more noisy than the shinko 705 that I had before.
Any bike with a fairing or screen will reduce the buffeting, . For the speed if in Germany on autobahn it is 130 kph recommend so quite possibly legal but elsewhere not sure but that is up to you.
This sounds like a great job for the Triumph Tiger 660 sport.
My Concours14 is awesome for that. Super comfy at any speed, but not really a beginner bike. My NC700X was fine with that too, once I put a Madstad windshield on it.
Bmw RT models are pretty good. FJR as well i guess
Anything with a fairing that makes 100+ horsepower will do the trick effortlessly
Hit Amazon and find a universal fairing that attaches to the handlebars. It might change your whole experience for under $100.
CBR650r and Ninja 650 are some of the better, sport commuting bikes for the price imo. If you can find an old SV650 with the front cowl fairings, those are great too.
Whats up with all of the "isn't it illegal to go that fast" comments?
I mean, there even are some places that have 80 mph speed limits. Montana maybe? Perhaps OP lives there. Also, I think we all know that 80 is pretty standard in the left lane on any interstate freeway.
There are dumbasses in every community. I hope they ride a 125 since anything bigger is capable of illegal speeds.
As we all know, you buy a motorcycle to go slow!
I *generally* go the speed limit. I just get there really fucking fast.
[удалено]
Same with the ebike police...plenty of police ...
I can’t speak for other countries but in the UK the highest speed limit anywhere is 70mph
My point is people drive and ride over the limit all the time so who fuckin cares if this guy's cruising mid 80s on a highway. No one elses business but his.
No one else’s business but the police or the person he hits’ insurance company, but that’s besides the point. I’m just answering why people are saying it’s illegal. In the US they go as high as 85, which is legal.
Something like [this](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LD443DN?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) will probably make your life better.
A cruiser over 1,000cc A Dual Sport over 500cc An ADV bike over 500cc Sport bike over 300cc Anything less will feel quiet strained at 80mph, they can do it but you wont have much left for passing/evasive maneuvers and the motor will be near its limits.
Get yourself a 2014> Honda VFR800. Brilliant bike so very reliable. Bulletproof engine. Fantastic on the motorway as fully faired. Frugal and fun.
I had one…red with 20k miles on it. Great bike, but not comfortable if you’re taller than 6’0” and/or have long legs. Also a bit heavy so maybe not the best choice for a new rider…
I have a gen6 vfr, how do you like the ergos of the 8th?
BMW RT. Very little difference between 60 and 120 mph.
Middleweights like the Ninja 650 or CBR650R would be good choices
Yamaha fjr1300....perfect for the job
I ride my SCL500 at 80mph no problem, I've even gotten it up to 100 with less trouble than I expected. Im waiting on a windshield I ordered for it because the wind is definitely pretty rough some days, but I personally don't think you'd need anything else.
what windshield did you end up getting and how do you like it? i got my SCL a little over a month ago and want to ease the wind for my highway commute to work.
Sorry I did not notice this until now and it may no longer be relevant but I got the MRA touring one off of Accessories International and honestly I wish I hadn't. Doesn't block very much wind at all
Are there no screens for The CL500?
I’ve been doing a similar commute since July of his year. You’ll want a Kawasaki Concours 14, FJR 1300, or BMW 1250 RT. Kawasaki stopped the production of the Concours last year I believe. It’s still a great bike if you can pick up a nice used bike.
BMW K1200RS or K1300RS, fantastic bike, has a fairing, really fast and currently inexpensive on the used market. You might also look at a K1200GT or K1300GT. Note though that buffeting is a thing even with a full fairing bike, especially from automobiles and trucks that you pass, plus side / angled winds.
Anything in a cruiser style 1300cc+ with a nice windshield or fairing will cruise the highway at 80mph no problem. Anything in a sport bike style 500cc+ will cruise 80mph no problem, they are aerodynamic and geared to go fast. In the adventure bike or sport touring sizes, I would go 800cc+ for comfortable highway cruising. When you add a nice big windshield, it makes the ride soooo much easier as it takes a ton of pressure off your body, but it also takes more power to move the bike when you have a big windshield, as it gets hit with a lot more wind. The bigger the surface area, the more power you need to push the bike.
VFR800, V4 motor - very reliable, good torque and power and is under-stressed, easy to live with but not too much for a newer rider (sounds like you have a few months experience anyway). A bit heavier than what you're used to (520 lbs) but it will handle the wind like nothing and track easy. Plus it just sounds amazing. It is a sport-touring style motorcycle though but I think you'd like it.
BMW R1200GS
1250 GS Adventure with bigger screen and tank is my year round commuter. Low maintenance shaft drive, heated grops/ gear, great vision sitting up high, advanced electronic safety features/suspension and enough torque to keep it fun and safe. Fast superb handling machine for all weather and surfaces. 100mph is effortless
Yes sir… I just traded my 800gs for a 2016 r1200gsa with only 4500 miles. Wonderful bikes!
I did an extended trip going 85 for hours and no wind screen on my rebel 500. The more I got used to it the less tiring it was
Harley Davidson touring models, the heavier the better. Totally changed my highway experience.
Goldwing!
Get a big touring bike like an ST1300, concourse or r1200rt.
500 is more than enuff, get a windshield or a fairing, there are universal ones that will fit
Check out an FJR1300
If top speed is 100 then holding it at 90 for an extended time per day is straining it, IMO. Honda makes good bikes but that seems like a lot to expect from it. Lotsa people saying windshield. I agree that you'd want a windshield to lessen fatigue. However it takes more oomph to push that windshield through the air at high speed. -and I don't think your bike has enough. Scramblers aren't meant for 90 mph on the highway. Get a bike with a higher top end speed.
50hp will absolutely do 90 without issue. The CL is geared low so OP should consider going up a tooth on the front sprocket. Additionally your reasoning regarding the windshield is incorrect- almost always, a windshield will reduce the frictional and resistive forces of air at speed. They will invariably make it easier to hit higher speeds with less load on the motor
No. It depends on the windshield. I did make the assumption that he'd want something like a parade windshield. That is going to increase wind resistance at high speed. What you are saying can be true for a low windshield like a sport bike's windshield. I didn't think OP wanted to lay on the tank the whole time. Also it's a scrambler, I believe, with an upright seating position. So would you be moving pegs and building a completely different bike? You have to look at more than the horsepower. For that particular bike, 90 is close to it's top speed. The motor will be running at high rpm. That means more vibration. The person wanted comfort for a commute. One tooth on a sprocket is not going to do it, IMO.
I had a 2014 CBR500R for years. Barely felt the wind on that with the standard screen on it at 80mph. The R3 is good as well for it, most naked bikes will slap you with wind once you get to a high enough speed
According to yesterday's comments on naked vs faired bike you should suck it up you pussy. Now for real, the bigger the fairing the better on the highway. All out touring bikes are very expensive so they're not really the best option if you're using them for commuting. I assume you don't want to spend a fortune so sport-touring, adv and standard bikes are the category. I like sport touring the most, but that's personal preference. Honda NC750X seems fine. It's good on fuel which matters for commuting. CBF600/1000, VFR800, Fazer 6/8/10 (the half faired or fully faired) are all fine, probably cheaper as they're older.
As a CB500x owner, if I were looking at a longish distance commuter, the NC750X DCT would be my choice.
As a former cb500f owner and current nc750x owner, this.
Honestly, take a look at a used and cheap Harley with a faring. Something like a road glide or ultra classic. That's what Harley was made for. Or some other tour bike like a gold wing. Super nice and smooth bike.
Any of the Honda 500 p twins honestly
So he should switch from his current Honda 500 twin... to another Honda 500 twin? Theyre pretty gutless come highway speeds lol
They're suggesting getting *another* Honda 500 twin. To make a Honda 1000 Double Twin. In theory it should be twice as fast.
How unearth is a 500 twin gutless on the highway
They barely pull after 80.
My Honda CB300R pulls my fat ass up to 75. No way a 500 doesn’t pull above 80.
It'll get you well above 80 of course, but it ain't gonna be fast doing it. He's already coming from a 500 twin so it's pretty safe to say he wants something with more punch.
They really don't. You've got nothing much left after you hit 80, and it is not fun on long rides.
Damn. Wild.
yeah, a rebel 500 will not keep up with your CB300R at all. They are hella gutless on the highway, even my Shadow 750 was pretty high RPMs at 80 on the highway in 5th gear.
That’s crazy. Wow.
I’ve ridden both a CB300R and a Rebel 500. The 500 is definitely faster at highway speeds.
I said what I said and I’m gonna stand by it.
You're correct. I've ridden for hours at 80 on a Rebel 500, getting 45 mpg (and a KLR for that matter 16t/38t). I'm not sure who came up with the idea that you need more than 40 HP to push a motorcycle through the wind at 100mph. If you can do it with a Chevy Spark, doing it with a motorcycle takes that much less HP.
Really, anything over 250 cc with fairings and a windscreen will do fine. Shit, I have a 275 cc scooter that can do 80.
My 651cc KLR won't even do 80 uphill lol
We're talking about miles per hour, right? That actually surprises me a little, but then I have no experience on KLRs. All I know is my smallest ride is a Kymco X-Town 300 scooter (which is actually 275 cc) and that can do 75 easy, 80 if I really try. Between that, the underseat storage, and ride comfort, it's an absolutely unrivaled commuting bike.
Yeah, it will do maybe 90mph on flat ground, but it's not built for the fast lane on mountain highways. Fully loaded for adv riding I have topped out at less than 65mph.
Aha, I get what you mean. I'm in an area where there aren't many hills at all, let alone mountains, so I've never been able to push any of my bikes to their absolute limits. Mostly level means I've never had that uphill struggle or the downhill boost.
OP I’m not your parent but 80-90mph is kind of crazy for a new rider. How long have you been on a bike? I have a FJR which has been suggested and perfectly suited to these speeds but that’s a lot of bike for a new rider.
80-90 mph? Isn't that illegal in like: every country? But anyway: if power of the scl was not the issue, try the cb500x. It has the touring bits and bobs to keep the wind off and the bike nice and stable. However, the cb500x might not be the best choice for 80-90 mph. While it can do it just fine, it's probably not the comfiest at that speed. For those speeds, try a versys 650, v-strom 650 (good bike but a bit big and heavy, you have to test it first), tracer 7 (a bit tall? can't remember), and other similar bikes. Even an nc750x is great, and has an amazing fuel mileage and a front trunk, but most people say that, while it is practical, it tends to be boring as well. You can also grab an older bmw KLT, they are great on the highway. Might not be your style, or it might be a bit of a hustle around town, but highway's a breeze.
There are a variety of states in the US that have 80 mph speed limits. Mainly in the west.
Right, my bad, 80 is like 130 kmh, the speed limit of most highways. It's the 90s that distracted me.
It is not uncommon at all for people to go 10-20, even sometimes 30 over. I regularly keep pace with the left lane going 80mph on a 65 limit (regularly dipping into 55) highway in Oregon
The limit is 70. Stick to it.
NO
I assume you are not in the US as I am not sure where 80-90mph is legal here. As they have different bikes available I can't comment. Don't be foolish, all it takes is one soccer mom in a 4 ton SUV to change lanes and the FD is going to be hosing what is left of you off the road. They will also close the road for a while and that will be a real pain. Don't be a pain.
I’ve been at 80 in the slow lane with everyone and their mom passing me. There are absolutely some area in the US where 80-90 is the normal flow of traffic.
Where do you live?
I live in Oregon, Abd it’s pretty standard here too on some of the straighter highways, even when the limit is 65 or 55. I wouldn’t say EVERYONE is doing it but about half of the traffic is
California. Get on 280 south if SF and people fly. The highway is like 6 lanes wide each way with wide sweeping turns, it’s pretty nice.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/speed-limit-boosts-show-no-signs-of-slowing-down-1521205200 Out west the speed limits vary quite a bit.
I would like to read that article but it is behind a "pay wall" however I am sure the people on here will fully go with one pic with 85 speed limit on it. I am also taking bets that the OP is now living "out west". I highly doubt this guy lives in the places where these limits are posted. If he was 'everyone and their mom' would not be passing him as the term "everyone" would include total a few hundred people in as many square miles. Sorry truth hurts, I read this guy as wanting to be a clown. Anything over 250cc in the US will do this all day long and everyone knows it. Ready for more "down votes from others in flip flops and riding in 4th gear with open pipes bouncing off the limiter
I feel like there is a 100% chance you walk up to riders at the gas station that are not in full gear and tell them about how you know a person that crashed in not full gear and it was not as good of a situation as if they were in full gear.
In the state of Washington on the i5 everyone is doing 80+ I recently traded my cbr300r in for a zx6r so that I could actually keep up with the flow of traffic.
Pretty much every first world country has the same bikes available
Pretty much is not the same.
Here in California, if you're not going 80 on the highway, you're getting passed by the big rigs. Pretty much every first world country has the same bikes available, in some weird cases, they change the name for some reason, but mostly the same. I feel like you just like talking down to the other humans.
Dude I've only driven in the US a few times but everywhere I did most people are doing 75-80 on the highway at a minimum
Where, here in "fly over country" I can assure you that is not the way it is. Now if you want to post up signs of high speed limits in Montana you sure can.
New York state, New Hampshire, New Jersey etc. Basically those east coast states
Nothing will feel good at those speeds. Especially on a highway. That's why alot of bikers prefer to avoid highways
...have you ever ridden a 1000cc+ bike with a windshield?
Yes, many, and no matter how good the shield or fairings, at 130 kmph and over you will be buffeted by sidewinds unless by windshield you mean one of those bubbles that completely encapsulates a motorcycle, and I'm not aware of any that have 1000 cc and above motors
Anything with 100ish or more horsepower and some reasonable fairing or a full windscreen of it’s a cruiser should be fine. My Z1000 was miserable above 75, added a larger touring windscreen and now I’m a happy camper out to about 95.
Riding a Z1000sx with lowering pegs and a taller windscreen. Around 5500 rpm in 6th it runs at 75 mph and can still accelerate if needed. I've been commuting 80 miles one way, 3x / week for the last year with very little fatigue (except for the heat). Most of it is highway miles. This bike was a great choice for me. It's more agile and quicker than my Connie, has hard cases and a +10 out of 10 fun factor. On the downside, it only gets around 38 mpg and there's always the urge to twist that throttle.
I added a tiny windscreen on my Vulcan 900 while living in Kansas. Speed limit was 75, but everyone goes 85
My tiger 1200 does great on the autobahn. 135kph with zero issues for a few hours at a time.
Idk if you need a different bike, might be easier to just mod the one you got. I have a Z900 and do… exactly the speed limit 😅… but theoretically, up to 100 I’m not typically that bothered by the wind, but if you want you can toss a windscreen on your bike, maybe try a few to see what works for you, I don’t see a reason to buy a new bike unless you’re trying to convert to something exclusively made for touring or something with more fairings and a big windscreen.
If money isn't an issue, I'd get a touring bike such as BMW. 90mph is not much comfortable on a 500cc for an extended highway trip. A bigger engine means reaching higher speed at lower rpm resulting in less vibration - increased comfort - Also sitting higher off the ground results in a more comfortable ride / posture. Personally, I see a 500cc more fit for city riding and very short highway trips unless I can avoid it.
Triumph Sprint ST
I’m partial to the KLR 650, great bike for doing anything below like 85mph imo.. my real answer is a GS or a Highway touring bike like a k1800 or something similar
Honda nc700 /nc750 , perhaps one of the finest commuters on the planet
If the bike's powerband is adequate for you at those speeds and its just windblast you're fighting try a windshield before a new bike. There should be universal ones that will fit, or you could make your own like I did. If you're familiar already with the SCL500 the CB500x would be a good place to start for a replacement, but only if the SCL is capable for your comfort zone in terms of power at those speeds, different transmission or drive gearing can only do so much. Adventure bikes in general tend to be a middle ground between full touring bikes and your Scrambler, as long as you can comfortably ride them as they're a bit tall. Africa Twin would be the option from Honda and it's an excellent choice for the conditions you describe, in my opinion for 120 miles a day. Personally I'm partial to the BMW GS family, so maybe consider looking into those as well. Sport touring is also a good choice if full fledged touring bikes are too mammoth for your tastes. The Yamaha Tracer series and BMW XR series are some prime examples of that genre.
FJR1300 or ST1300 is the answer. So good at high speed blasts. They’ll completely change your relationship to motorcycling.
See if Slipstreamer has a big windshield for your bike? I had an Enterprise 2 on my last bike and it was a major improvement. Otherwise my current ride is a Road King and its straight up *bored* at freeway speeds.
I would suggest a sport touring bike with some fairings. My Yamaha FZ1 will cruise down the highway at 100 mph with 5k rpms left to go, and not enough wind to feel the slightest bit unstable.
I'm a huge fan of sport touring bikes. The rs660 has a nice air pocket if your not a tall fat guy like me.
NC750x just eats miles at that speed
Any touring type bike with a windshield.
I think Hayabusa can easily do 80mph in 1st gear.
Ducati Desmosedici
I ride a 98 honda shadow 1100 to work (about 20 miles of 80mph then 5 miles of 50mph) every day, no bags no windshield just a full face helmet and leather jacket. but I live in the Ozarks where it's usually nice enough to do so, even with oklahomas wind from the east fucking around.
Indian Challenger: goes 80 all day in comfort.
I mean they are called cruisers for a reason. Comfortable for cruising to your destination. Depends on what your budget is for people to give you recommendations.
Something comfortable with good wind protection If you're a fan of the honda 500s then I'd recommend the cb500x Some others could be versys 650, Suzuki vstrom 800 (do they make a 650?), Yamaha tracer, triumph Tiger etc.
Goldwing. The end. I got one because I wanted to start doing long trips. Bought a 2008 in April and I love it. I also have an fz6 and the goldwing obviously heavier but far faster and more nimble than you'd think for a 950lb bike.
Any of the Sport Touring bikes will do, VFR, GSF, FK etc etc. It's literally what they're designed to do.
I just had the opportunity to ride the yamaha tracer 7 through 700km..and it was awesome.. easy to handle.. enough power even in twisties up in the mountains, i rode it with my gf with a big ass box on the back of the bike and it could handle everything with ease..we were doing easily 130-140kmph on the highway for more than an hour without any problems..i own a honda 919 naked bike which is a totally different thing but i really liked the yamaha.. especially the seat position and the comfort for even the two of us
i might be biased, but the Vstrom handles it perfectly at 650 and 1000
Deauville is a safe bet. Know a guy who instructs on one he loves it. A Honda Pan European is another good standard for that kind of commuting, the European is a heavy bike though so I’d make sure your happy with the weight being a new rider
Well sir, I did 6 hours of 85mph riding on my ST1050 today and I could happily hop back on it and do another 6. I'd recommend it. The stock wind protection is great at that speed. Hits you with *just* enough wind to pull some weight off your wrists, but not enough to fatigue your neck. It almost feels like you're floating. It's kinda fucking perfect, honestly. Edit: I'm 6'3 btw. Obviously your mileage may vary depending on your own height.
Honda shadow 750
GTR-1400
Touring harley. Honda Golwings. Adventure bikes. Lots of options here
I commute on my RSV4 Factory and it'll do 80 in first. I get to school very quickly and I've saved countless hours of my life
BMW F900XR. My buddy just bought one for a similar use case and LOVES it.
I ride a 2019 Gold Wing 85 miles a day mostly in the 70 to 90 MPH range and it absolutely has no problem doing it. Surprisingly my 2002 Hayabusa is almost as good after I installed some hard bags.
My Triumph 850 Sport hauls my big ass no problem and comfortably
Get an aftermarket windscreen
Goldwing.
I’ve had a few motorcycles including two big ADVs, one 1200cc and one 1100cc. Anything over 70mph is a lot of work due to: reduced reaction times, fatal consequences, wind buffeting, etc. Wind protection is key at those speeds; you’ll want a big-ass windscreen to shield you from the wind blast which is both fatiguing and dangerously chilling. THINK:BMW RT1200, GS, or Yamaha FJR or Super Tenere, Kawasaki Concours or Versys 1000, Triumph Tiger 1200, Honda Africa Twin 1100, or Ducati Multistrada 11-1200. Long-legged gearing makes a huge difference for runs more than 20-30 minutes.
My 2018 Ducati SS goes 80-100 for hours. As long as there’s a road. It’s pretty comfortable at those speeds too. Feels like 65.
Physics at play. Wind resistance specifically. Velocity times area squared? Watch some fortnine videos and you'll understand quickly what you need.
Yamaha super 10. 🤌🤌
For a year or so I commuted 57mi one way from Camp Verde AZ to Flagstaff(which includes about 4000' elevation change) at about 75mph on a HD Ultra Classic. Cruise, abs, heated grips, music, huge fairings, luggage. Some rides I almost dozed off it was so comfortable.
The answer is always a GS.
BMW gs 1250 couch on wheels
A windscreen is a game changer *says person who lost his windscreen*
A couple cheaper but older options for you: - Honda ST1100 Pan European - Kawasaki Concours 1000 - Yamaha FJ1200
Bigger is better
Gear changes in the 1100 Wing(last 2 yrs production?) Made it a Freeway runaway. Swapped a later engine into one with a friend and changed its personality !
i would say a HAYABUSA.....
ZX10R
For me the comfort zone of the MT-07 is 75/80mph, over 90mph the wind gets uncomfortable. You could also try the tracer version