HWY riding Question

Old Feb 26, 2009 | 04:32 PM
  #1  
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Thumbs up HWY riding Question

Hey Guys,

I thought this had been asked this before, but i can't find the thread.

When i'm on the highway doing about 107 km/h (66 Miles) i'm at about 7000RPM on my completely stock KLX250. How long can i drive at this RPM for? I assume no damage to the motor can be done at that RPM... but i'm a complete newb. 1200 km's on the bike after one season.

I'm contemplating a 4 hour HWY trip - I have Family in Port Huron MI. and there are some cool trails out there.
 
Old Feb 26, 2009 | 06:26 PM
  #2  
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Yeah this has been thuroughly discussed before, but we can venture down the road once more (sorry, bad pun). The understanding I have, is that Kawasaki wouldn't have built the motor and sold it as a dual-purpose model if it couldn't cruise some highways holding revs. 7000 isn't too bad, probably buzzing a bit, but that's just getting into the peak power. I personally cruise between 6000-6500, which is about 55 with my 47-tooth rear sprocket. I couldn't imagine riding that speed for that long, the bke isn't that comfortable at highway speed. Take a break every so often, I'd think you should be fine.
 
Old Feb 26, 2009 | 06:43 PM
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Yeah like cliff said just take a break and just fluxuate your rpms during your trip while in break in,,,
 
Old Feb 26, 2009 | 07:19 PM
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thanks guys... again.. i know i've seen people ask before... but i just couldn't find it... and definitely not for an extended period of time.

Cheers!
 
Old Feb 26, 2009 | 07:40 PM
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My bike-to-rider interface is only good for about 30 minutes at a time.
 
Old Feb 26, 2009 | 11:21 PM
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Leave earlier and cruise at a comfortable 90kmh. My ethic.
 
Old Feb 27, 2009 | 01:19 AM
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The KLX can handle the high speeds. But it is kind of stressful for the rider. I personally like cruising around 55mph on the open roads, than 60-70mph on the interstate. The interstate is too crowded, too much wind shifts and drag, and I mostly need to cruise at almost WOT. Not to mention the forks wobble a little with every little road surface crack and wind shift.
 
Old Feb 27, 2009 | 02:15 AM
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I dont know how long the KLX can take it but I can't very long. Indicated 55-60 is the comfort range to me, after that I use a bigger bike.
 
Old Feb 27, 2009 | 03:35 AM
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Can't find any disagreement with any of the replies here. On a properly maintained KLX I'd be confident that I could ride it from coast to coast at highway, biway, and varous other speeds. Our little mill is pretty stout, and I don't think an extended ride at 7K would harm it in the least.

On the other hand I with everyone else here. The bike will do it, but I personally have no burning desire to travel highway speeds for any extended periods. Much rather trailer the bike to the fun with a well stocked mother ship and save my glutius maximus for the waiting trails.
 
Old Feb 27, 2009 | 04:04 AM
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It may not have much relevance to the KLX, or the thread much.. But there was a guy I know that owned a dr 200, and in 1 summer, put like 6000 kms on it, driving it mostly to work, but 2 or 3 times drove it on the hiway, absolutely pinned the whole way, about a 2 hour drive each way.
Basically he drove from Halifax NS to Moncton NB (Canada) 2 or 3 different times. Never hurt the bike anyway.
According to google maps it's 261 kms.
I would be willing to bet the KLX motor can handle it better than the DR 200 motor
 

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