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Post by troutkitty on Mar 18, 2012 11:05:35 GMT -5
I did once while breaking mine in...a full 3/4 mis. I enjoy the service and back roads. You get to see more of the surroundings and just enjoy the ride. No high wind drag, better fuel efficiency and doesn't over stress my 150. But, you have plenty of power and speed, though on a 150 frame. If you don't feel comfortable running at those speeds, then don't. Just my two cents. Ride safe. In southern Alberta there are enough old farmers on the road not going faster than 80 km/hr that my old scoot that topped out just under 100 km/hr wasn't out of place. I still didn't like the road ragers barely missing my knee as they swung out and passed around me. The speed limit was only 100 km/hr as was.
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Post by jayhawk on Mar 18, 2012 11:49:52 GMT -5
I agree with the advice above that it's all about your comfort level. I ride my Vespa ET4 on I-35 downtown where it's 55 mph. Since I can cruise 55-60 and can get up to 65-67 mph, I'm good with it. I'll ride on anything 65 mph or less, but I have no urge to hit I-70 where it's 75 mph.
My smaller windscreen (14" high) really helps with higher speed riding - not too big so it doesn't get blown around, but it really cuts down the buffering on your body and you can duck down behind it when a big truck or breeze comes along.
Eric
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Post by rockynv on Mar 19, 2012 4:32:57 GMT -5
I commute daily on the highway/freeway where the average speed is 65 to 75mph. My Citycom 3001 weighs 400lbs, 16" wheels and has a windscreen. I tend to ride in the fast lane at 75 mph - less trucks in the way. My older Citycom had the larger windscreen and would get quite buffeted by the wind - affecting the steering. My new Citycom has a smaller windscreen that is very effective - giving me a comfortable, true tracking and faster ride. One benefit of a multilane freeway riding is that (most of the time) everybody is going the same direction. A tall windsheild can realy destroy the dynamics of a bike and ruin its highway manners. On my Sport City 250 I went with a Puig Sport Fairing instead of the more common cruiser style barn door windsheild and it makes interstate runs much better. Here in Florida a 150 is not freeway legal as most do not meet the minimum horsepower requirements. The Sport City 250 develops somewhere around 25 hp being a high compression, 4 valve, fuel injected bike. Everyone going the same direction does helps as does being able to keep up. If your bike can't go with the flow which over here on the interstates can be as high as 85/90 mph or you are not comfortable with riding at that speed then you should stay away from the interstates. If you do ride the interstate then gear up with a full face helmet, armored gloves, armored jacket (elbow, shoulder and back protection), riding boots and some type of leg/knee/backside protection.
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Post by pizzot on Mar 19, 2012 22:21:39 GMT -5
I've ridden Motorcycles all my life, practically. Well since I was 21 and I'm 72 now. But when I lived in Irving TX, back in 1980, I saw a motorcycle go down on the freeway (i think it's 435), in 4:00pm traffic. By the time I got to where the guy went down there was not much left but some crushed metal and lots of blood that stretched for over a quarter mile. No limited access hiway riding for me! Especially on a 150cc scooter! Haha, thanks for sharing SilverFox. Got a great visual on that one. Needless to say if your on anything with 2 wheels I would avoid "Downtown Atlanta type" rush hour interstate traffic.
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Post by jayhawk on Mar 19, 2012 22:28:23 GMT -5
Do any states actually have interstate HP or cc minimums? As in, can you show a link to a citation/law? Every interstate in every state I've ridden in has a minimum speed posted, and if your vehicle can hit that speed and stay above it...I'm not convinced it's not legal. I've yet to find a minimum HP or cc size that wasn't simply folklore (often maintained by the cops, too).
Eric (the doubting Thomas)
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Post by bigphillip79 on Mar 21, 2012 1:22:02 GMT -5
My Wife used to ride the Helix to work about 3 days a week, 70 miles of freeway round trip. Never a problem. The machine could handle it. It could Run 75mph all day. Now she has her Burgman 650 and an 86 in a 65 ticket to go with it. I've put many freeway miles on it. 250 should be plenty to handle the big road.
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Post by spandi on Mar 21, 2012 1:31:12 GMT -5
My Wife used to ride the Helix to work about 3 days a week, 70 miles of freeway round trip. Never a problem. The machine could handle it. It could Run 75mph all day. Now she has her Burgman 650 and an 86 in a 65 ticket to go with it. I've put many freeway miles on it. 250 should be plenty to handle the big road. Oh come on! a 250? Everybody KNOWS you need at least a turbojet to get on the freeway! Hahahaha!
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Post by bigphillip79 on Mar 21, 2012 1:41:02 GMT -5
Do any states actually have interstate HP or cc minimums? As in, can you show a link to a citation/law? Every interstate in every state I've ridden in has a minimum speed posted, and if your vehicle can hit that speed and stay above it...I'm not convinced it's not legal. I've yet to find a minimum HP or cc size that wasn't simply folklore (often maintained by the cops, too). Eric (the doubting Thomas) Yes. Every Interstate I've seen has restrictions for vehicle type. As a trucker I've seen a lot. They may very by state but for the most part Motor Driven Cycles are not allowed on the freeway. Definition of "Motor Driven Cycle" varies by State. In Texas for example it is a vehicle of less that 250cc. There are also minimum speeds for Interstate of most commonly 45mph. I would not ride 46 when everyone else is doing 70. Also not allowed are Bicycles, Steel Tracked Vehicles, Farm Implements, and Animal Driven Vehicles.
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Post by jayhawk on Mar 21, 2012 6:28:58 GMT -5
Bigphillip79, I sure would like a legal citation showing your 250cc statement. I just spent 20 minutes looking over Texas code and the state's website for proof of the 250cc requirement. This is from a post last year on Modern Vespa: Dear (sushiman007),
There is nothing in the Texas Transportation Code specifically related to an engine displacement requirement for riding motorcycles on the highway. There is, however, sometimes a minimum speed limit and a vehicle must be able to maintain that speed in order to travel on those roads.
As a personal safety consideration, you may want to also consider the possibility of needing to maintain the flow of traffic on roads you know may often travel above the maximum speed limit.
I am not aware of a resource for similar guidelines across the U.S., but you may find some information on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website www.nhtsa.gov
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email or at the number below. You can also visit our homepage at www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/ for more information or to download forms.
Thank you,
Cindy Flores
Training Specialist
TxDPS Motorcycle Safety Unit
512-424-2817 Office
512-424-2506 Fax
I repeat my earlier post...very few, if any, states have a cc requirement for highway/interstate travel. The few that do seem to tie 125cc's into the definition of a motorcycle (with the requirement that a vehicle be a motorcycle class to ride on the highway), and all states require you to be able to maintain the minimum speed. I'd not want to ride along at 46 mph, either, but a scooter going 55-60 mph legally has a right to ride on most highways.
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Post by mainepeace on Mar 21, 2012 13:08:35 GMT -5
Maine has a 125cc requirement for divided highways and 250cc requirement for interstates.
Greg
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Post by jayhawk on Mar 21, 2012 13:11:49 GMT -5
Greg,
got a link to the code showing that (or a Maine State website providing such information)? I just think we need to document fact...too many times folks have stated a requirement, but it's ended up being an urban legend.
Eric (who clearly resides in the Show Me State)
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Post by inuyasha on Mar 21, 2012 15:09:22 GMT -5
Do any states actually have interstate HP or cc minimums? As in, can you show a link to a citation/law? Every interstate in every state I've ridden in has a minimum speed posted, and if your vehicle can hit that speed and stay above it...I'm not convinced it's not legal. I've yet to find a minimum HP or cc size that wasn't simply folklore (often maintained by the cops, too). Eric (the doubting Thomas) Hi Eric Here in CT we go by BHP not displacement, 5BHP or under, no interstate or highway use and they are classified as "motor driven cycles" Any thing over 5 BHP and its considered a motorcycle with no restrictions on where you can operate them www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=810&q=430480Take care and drive safely dear friend Yours Hank
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Post by jayhawk on Mar 21, 2012 15:35:58 GMT -5
Thanks Hank - that's what a lot of states really have (some classify 125 or less as non-motorcycles...much like Europe does). I think this is a good thing to document so people don't rely on annecdotal information (not much good if you get a ticket where they do have specific interstate requirements!).
Eric
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Post by mainepeace on Mar 21, 2012 22:57:32 GMT -5
Greg, got a link to the code showing that (or a Maine State website providing such information)? I just think we need to document fact...too many times folks have stated a requirement, but it's ended up being an urban legend. Eric (who clearly resides in the Show Me State) It's in the Driver's Handbook. I'm sure it is visible on the Maine BMV website. www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/29-A/title29-Ach19sec0.htmlI've actually read every motor vehicle statute. Greg
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Post by inuyasha on Mar 21, 2012 23:06:06 GMT -5
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Post by jayhawk on Mar 22, 2012 6:18:28 GMT -5
Hi Greg - I didn't have a ton of time while getting ready for work, but didn't find it in the regs. I did see that a vehicle must be able to maintain the minimum posted speed if one is posted. I know our driver's "manual" in Missouri contains sections that are directly out of the MSF handbook...and not law. Then again, I may have just missed the section discussing cc's. I really do appreciate your posting the regs though - gives a person a place to look!
Eric
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Post by WarrenS on Mar 22, 2012 9:11:47 GMT -5
It reminds me of when I went to the DMV to register my electric scooter. They asked how many cc's. I told them it didn't have any cc's, it was electric and capable of 60 mph. I told them it needed a motorcycle license. After comparing it to the moped regulations, mainly the 30 mph part the licensed it as a motorcycle.
Although I could possibly take it on the freeway, I wouldn't.
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