Top Speed

Discuss everything about Honda GoldWing. Feel free to ask any question related to GoldWing.

Moderators: CYBORG, Oldewing, robin1731, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
redglbx
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1116
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:39 am
Location: NW Indiana,

Top Speed

#1

Post by redglbx »

Ok, so i used to be a “top speed” guy many years ago. When my 76 was almost new and they had just completed the bypass around South Bend with little traffic I decided I wanted to see just how fast it would actually go as Honda had made some unofficial claims that it was capable of 131mph all day long.

So I set out to see what it would do, I was able to see a skosh over an indicated 130mph in 4th gear at near redline, shifting up into 5th gave me a hp limited max of 126mph indicated no matter how long I held the throttle open it just wouldn’t go any faster.

Now I know that the speedo indicated speed is questionable at best but I’ve always been intrigued by land speed “how fast will she go” racing, this is what drove my hours on my buddies dyno looking for the proverbial “more” ,,, I was focus’d on torque.

Anyway my question here is what is the best top speeds that anyone has gotten out of their Wings ? I read a number of interesting posts of members here that have been involved with doing this but for some reason no top speeds have been posted. So what say you ? What kind of top speed ? Power adders like nitrous, blowers or turbo’s were used if any.

People that know me know that I’ve talked about taking my 76 someplace like the Southeast Timing groups land speed events to see what she’ll do as the roads and streets are just way to busy anymore and age has had some input as well as my wife who say’s absolutely not !

On my bike theoretically with the current 16” 130-90/16 combo should go 153mph at redline in 5th, theoretically. What do you all say ? Just something fun to talk about that’s not oil or tires.
Last edited by redglbx on Sun Nov 29, 2020 1:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Red 1976 oe owner
1976 LTD restored
1980 CBX , in the que, to fix the ignorant heavy handed owner
1981 CBX
1977 CB750 K7
2014 FJR OE owner, sold
1980 GL1100
1984 GL1200 naked
1969 CL350, in the que
User avatar
gltriker
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 5053
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2010 9:11 pm
Location: central NY State

Re: Top Speed

#2

Post by gltriker »

First, give us the links we've requested to your in depth articles. ;)
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday. tumb2

New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help: <---jdvorchak
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST
^^^^^^^click up here^^^^^ :oldies

RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi tumb2
"Can't see the paint when your looking thru the handlebars..........." -Oldewing ;)
"I'd rather Ride than Shine" -RAT tumb2 Me Too!!

Cliff

'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM :shock: https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome

previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
redglbx
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1116
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:39 am
Location: NW Indiana,

Re: Top Speed

#3

Post by redglbx »

Cliff, when was viewing the thread today on “speed nuts” there was a few threads at the bottom that I read, some interesting inputs from several like Cyborg and his involvement with a LSR wing but a lot of the details like actual speeds achieved and things done to the bike to get there. Several others as well.

An example is that none of dontwantapickle’s posts showed anything but a smiley face.

By the way the theoretical top speed for my bike based on the questionable gauges say that with the current 130x90-16 rear tire which gives me 3400rpm @ 60mph should be 153mph @ the 8500rpm redline vs when it was new it was 3000rpm @ 60mph and should give a theoretical 170mph at a 8500rpm redline, never happen w/o a lot more power. As I said when it was new a shade over 130mph in 4th and would only do 126 (or so) in 5th.
Red 1976 oe owner
1976 LTD restored
1980 CBX , in the que, to fix the ignorant heavy handed owner
1981 CBX
1977 CB750 K7
2014 FJR OE owner, sold
1980 GL1100
1984 GL1200 naked
1969 CL350, in the que
User avatar
gltriker
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 5053
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2010 9:11 pm
Location: central NY State

Re: Top Speed

#4

Post by gltriker »

Done.
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday. tumb2

New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help: <---jdvorchak
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST
^^^^^^^click up here^^^^^ :oldies

RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi tumb2
"Can't see the paint when your looking thru the handlebars..........." -Oldewing ;)
"I'd rather Ride than Shine" -RAT tumb2 Me Too!!

Cliff

'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM :shock: https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome

previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
User avatar
Track T 2411
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 8482
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin

Re: Top Speed

#5

Post by Track T 2411 »

IIRC, Wingmandown's (Winston) supercharged Bonneville 1000 clocked in @138 mph with a heavily modified frame/suspension and gearing. I don't think he felt he ever got the optimum performance, and the few runs he made suffered from other technical issues. There's a couple of threads about the bike...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
User avatar
ericheath
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 9580
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:20 am
Location: Winnipeg, Manituba

Re: Top Speed

#6

Post by ericheath »

The now defunct Schizoid bike with a 1000 rear end, 1200 with 1000 heads, 77 cams, 85 1200 carbs was at 125mph when I chickened out, two up. It felt like it had a ways to go, but couldn’t have been much. I was terrified.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
User avatar
Track T 2411
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 8482
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin

Re: Top Speed

#7

Post by Track T 2411 »

robin1731 wrote: Mon Aug 27, 2018 5:34 am Latest update from Winston and last from the salt.

"Finally! Our third and final run today clocked in a 136.45mph average from mile 2 to mile 3. We are very happy with the day and the bike. She pulled hard and shifted at 7000rpm's with a constant 7 pounds of boost. All five gears were shifted hard and fast missing only 4th for a second. Larry said she was at her top speed when he hit the two mile marker and held her wide open right hand while his left hand held the frame in a tucked manor all the way through mile marker 3. She handled great, went straight and was driven all the way back to the pits. Folks we might be able to tweak a couple more miles an hour out of her but really we all feel the bike has given us all she has considering the almost stock block and HP to weight ratio were dealing with. The record in our assigned class is 151mph...we don't see any further changes making up 15mph. Other motor plans down the road but today we are happy with a stock block GL1000 holding up well to the three long mile runs at full throttle....THREE TIMES IN ONE DAY!
Thanks for following....something came up and we have to leave in the morning.
Next race hopefully El Mirage Mile in November...thanks for your comments while following our day on the Salt."

.
I guess I was a bit off on the top speed...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
redglbx
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1116
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:39 am
Location: NW Indiana,

Re: Top Speed

#8

Post by redglbx »

Thanks track, that’s very interesting, I guess I would have thought it would have gone faster but reminds me of the saying “ that if it was easy, everyone would do it” !

Thankyou for the inputs.
Red 1976 oe owner
1976 LTD restored
1980 CBX , in the que, to fix the ignorant heavy handed owner
1981 CBX
1977 CB750 K7
2014 FJR OE owner, sold
1980 GL1100
1984 GL1200 naked
1969 CL350, in the que
Gowing
True Blue Steel Biker
True Blue Steel Biker
Posts: 2314
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:50 am

Re: Top Speed

#9

Post by Gowing »

136.45! Very impressive.
Dave

1975 GL 1000
1980 XS650
1981 ct110
1972 F7 KAW 175
2000 moby blaze 40cc
Chihuahua (Ellie)
Chihuahua #2(Blaze)
User avatar
Oldewing
Secretary
Secretary
Posts: 8178
Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2005 8:19 pm
Location: Gahanna Ohio

Re: Top Speed

#10

Post by Oldewing »

Lots of speed threads here, Most of us "used" too do it.....




Brother RAT had a bone stock 1100 dresser clocked at 126. On my 78, I had seen 131, MY 2006 1800 calls it quits at 128.7, factoy cut out...

those are all GPS speeds, as I can't look down with out bad things happening......
82 GL1100 Interstate-Oldewing October 23 BOTM
06 GL1800 Road bike, as in Rode alot...
Sometimes I wrestle with my inner demons.........
Other times we just hug.......

Team 898
Team LTD 993
Team 76 R2B3
And always remember: beer has some food value--but food has NO beer value...
redglbx
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1116
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:39 am
Location: NW Indiana,

Re: Top Speed

#11

Post by redglbx »

Yepper, my heart is still that of a 16yr old but the brain feels every bit of it’s 66+ yrs. I was 24yrs old when I did my 130+ mph 4th gear indicated run, I have checked my speedo on several trips with my gps and it tends to indicate 2-3mph fast compared to the GPS, up to around 90 or so.

I typically every year push the old girl to 100+ mph just because the inside squirrel says it’s the right thing to do. I have a “spot” that I use for testing since my buddie closed his dyno shop, not exact science but it’s pretty repeatable and something better than the lying “butt dyno” ..

The fastest I’ve been in recent years is on my Yamaha FJR which was an indicated 134 mph going into 4th or so on a long pass, just effortless with a lot left. It is interesting that all the Japanese vehicles I own or have owned indicate 2-3mph faster than actual when checked with an gps while my 15 Impala indicates exactly the same and my 2000 Lincoln was 2-3mph indicated slower than actual. Must be a cultural thing.

Lots of wind and snow today making me think about a “fast” ride on my ol’GL. 😁
Last edited by redglbx on Thu Dec 03, 2020 11:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
Red 1976 oe owner
1976 LTD restored
1980 CBX , in the que, to fix the ignorant heavy handed owner
1981 CBX
1977 CB750 K7
2014 FJR OE owner, sold
1980 GL1100
1984 GL1200 naked
1969 CL350, in the que
User avatar
desertrefugee
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3947
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
Location: Chandler, AZ, USA

Re: Top Speed

#12

Post by desertrefugee »

It’s good to live in Arizona where places to perform such tests abound:

78 GL1000 - 128ish
79 CBX - 135ish
86 Vmax - 140ish
97 Valk - 125ish

Candidates in the current stable for which I have…ahem…experience in this category. I believe each of the numbers above is at or near the expected top speed for the vehicle. Maybe not, but somebody also mentioned big brass cajones. Mine may be smaller and of less noble metal these days. That could have some effect on the terminal number.

The “ish” is because I’m not generally 100% fixated on the speedometer at the end of those Apex runs. Usually just a quick glance is all I’ll give it.
Last edited by desertrefugee on Mon Nov 30, 2020 8:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
User avatar
dontwantapickle
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 948
Joined: Fri Oct 13, 2017 9:26 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: Top Speed

#13

Post by dontwantapickle »

A lot of factors contribute to making a bike "fast".
It's isn't all about horsepower.
redglbx
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1116
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:39 am
Location: NW Indiana,

Re: Top Speed

#14

Post by redglbx »

Don, absolutely true ! The coefficient of friction squares at a very high rate, I can’t remember the exact formula but it’s an astounding rate.

Years ago when I wanted to take my car to bonneville for speed week and I started to research the requirements and it became clear pretty quickly that I didn’t have enough money. I gained a very high appreciation for those that do it, both for the financial commitment as well as the ingenuity.

I do remember that achieving 80mph was where things got interesting, calculating the drag and the horsepower to achieve anything significant was truly mind boggling.
Red 1976 oe owner
1976 LTD restored
1980 CBX , in the que, to fix the ignorant heavy handed owner
1981 CBX
1977 CB750 K7
2014 FJR OE owner, sold
1980 GL1100
1984 GL1200 naked
1969 CL350, in the que
Paola Zago
Billet Alum. Member
Billet Alum. Member
Posts: 295
Joined: Fri Oct 11, 2019 3:03 am
Location: Italia

Re: Top Speed

#15

Post by Paola Zago »

a Swiss boy, last year with his 1976 GL 1000, wonderfully preserved, with only 12,400 km traveled, launched it on the Pirelli track under the precise eye of the photocells. The European odometer has the scale up to 220 km. The pointer had reached full scale and the best passage in front of the photocells was 208.4 km / h. motorcycle with European handlebars, 5 liters of fuel and 72 kg rider in leather suit. the quarter mile was covered with the best time of 12.4 seconds.
Paola
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “GoldWing Tech Discussions”