Max Cruising Speed for GZ250

[steve]

Hey everyone,

New member here from the Washington, DC area. I've been riding a GZ250 for nearly a year and I use it on a daily basis to commute to/from work.

It's been ultra-reliable and I'm pretty satisfied with one exception which is I have a little difficulty keeping up with highway traffic. About 5 miles of my daily commute is on the highway and I feel like the max speed that I can comfortably cruise at for 5 miles without putting too much stress on the engine is about 60-65mph. Since the average speed of the cars around me is more like 70-75mph it kind of sucks.

What about you guys? Is that around the max speed you feel comfortable pushing your bike? What's the max speed you've ever driven?

[Jaime]

Don't think that you'll put too much stress on the engine for running over 65 mph, as you're only doing 6000-6500 rpm at that speed.
Red line (9000 rpm) in fifth gear is reached at about 90 mph, so don't worry if you cruise at 75 mph (7500 rpm - max torque) in long rides; you could do it at full throttle without risking the engine.

If the bike simply cannot keep that speed for cruising, it's more about a lack of power.

I used to cruise at 68-74 mph before carburetting my GZ. Now, with the modified air filter and the new exhaust can, it can cruise at 78 mph (7500 rpm with 16 tooth sprocket). I'm still testing different carb settings, but the max speed till now is 87 mph.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by steve

About 5 miles of my daily commute is on the highway and I feel like the max speed that I can comfortably cruise at for 5 miles without putting too much stress on the engine is about 60-65mph. Since the average speed of the cars around me is more like 70-75mph it kind of sucks.

Yep, it sucks alright.

As long as you keep current with the maintenance (oil, chain, etc.) I don't see any problem with running at 70......if you can maintain it. Like you, however, don't think I will ever do that 'cause I just can't get used to the sounds the engine makes at that speed !!

As much as I hate to say it, I think you need to do one of three things: Find a different route to work that doesn't involve the "highway" (yes, it will take longer, probably)
OR
Get a slightly bigger bike.
OR
Move to an area where people actually OBSERVE the speed limit. Washington state and Indiana (except maybe for Indy) are two I know about.

[jonathan180iq]

If your bike is totally stock, you should have no problem maintaining 70+. I rode all the way from N. Ga. into the Smokies around 70-75, before I switched over to the 16T sprocket, and the bike had no problems. It seems a little buzzy, but you should be fine.

[steve]

Thanks guys, this was bascially the feedback I was hoping for. It's good to know that I'm not killing my bike at 70-75mph.