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Freeway speeds

RidingPassion

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Hello Everyone,

I'm in the exploring mode and I'm gathering information from everywhere to make a good decision for my next bike.

In terms of freeway speeds, does the 2020/2021 NC750X feel stable at 80 MPH or higher?

I have to consider this, even though I try to avoid freeway when riding, sometimes there isn't a lot of choices so eventually I have to touch the freeway every now and then. The traffic flow on the freeways in my area is typically 80MPH.
 
Yesterday I was riding at 75 on a 4 lane divided highway without any issues. Speed limit on that stretch of the roadway was only 60mph but I was traveling with the flow of traffic. Can’t imagine 80mph would feel much different than 75. I ride divided highways regularly. Speed limits on the roads I commonly ride are 60 so speeds are typically 70-ish.

Can’t say that I recall doing 80mph at a sustained speed for any real distance.
 
Coming back from Montana during my Saddlesore 1k ride I blasted 80-90 through most of Montana and Idaho. The bike was thirsty but otherwise didn't complain
I'm assuming you were referring to I-90 ?
That freeway is notorious for cars/trucks breathing down your neck if you do not want to go at 80 MPH on the right most lane.
 
I see 93/94 mph on track regularly on one of my NC bikes, been up to 105 on the street, and regularly cruise at 80-85 mph on freeway, without issue. These bikes are pretty much like a lower powered, slightly heavier, upright sportbike. stability at any speed the bike will do is a non-issue.
 
Another great thing about the NC is the tall gearing. Ride a Ninja 250 at 80, it's turning about 10-11,000 rpm or more where as the NC is humming right along at 4k at 80
Yep, 6th gear is def an overdrive gear for the NC. Neither of mine will hit redline at top speed in 6th gear. It just runs out of power to go any faster as opposed to running out of RPM's. And that 250 has to be geared lower to compensate for the major lack of power LOL.
 
That's nice. With a lower RPM at freeway speeds, there should be less vibrations.
There is no vibrations at all in the bike. Smoothest bike I've ever ridden.

Well, lots of folks complain about low rpm vibrations from engine lug if you opt for the DCT model and ride in Drive mode rather than Sport mode. Drive mode shifts super early in order to maximize fuel economy, and thus lugs the engine a bit in lower rpms and higher gears. But that's easily avoided by riding in one of the Sport modes. I never use D mode, ever....only S mode or manual mode.
 
I see 93/94 mph on track regularly on one of my NC bikes, been up to 105 on the street, and regularly cruise at 80-85 mph on freeway, without issue. These bikes are pretty much like a lower powered, slightly heavier, upright sportbike. stability at any speed the bike will do is a non-issue.
^^^ This ^^^.

My touring BMW R1200RT isn't as stable at supra freeway speeds as the NC700/750 is. If there is a problem it's that at 80 mph there's not much power left in the NC to accelerate quickly in point-and-shoot traffic. It will accelerate to 100 or so, it just takes a little time and distance.
 
^^^ This ^^^.

My touring BMW R1200RT isn't as stable at supra freeway speeds as the NC700/750 is. If there is a problem it's that at 80 mph there's not much power left in the NC to accelerate quickly in point-and-shoot traffic. It will accelerate to 100 or so, it just takes a little time and distance.
Good point to note. Thanks!

So, the ability to pass troublesome vehicles at that speed is going to be risky as it may take 20 seconds to do so?
 
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If I dare ask; how often are you driving sustained 80 MPH anywhere, especially near Seattle?
Good question: there is I-90 which runs East-West and it's a major tributary used by 18-wheelers.

I think most vehicles drives between 75-80 MPH (posted speed is 80 MPH) along I-90 but when they get closer to the suburbs (like Issaquah), people move up their average speeds to 80-85 MPH.
Not sure why, may be they are anxious to get home.

There are quite a lot of nice country roads East of Greater Seattle and the fastest way to get there is through I-90.

It's not uncommon to see 80 MPH on HOV on I-5 also. I avoid I-5 at all cost: it's a kill zone for motorcycles.
 
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Good point to note. Thanks!

So, the ability to pass troublesome vehicles at that speed is going to be risky as it may take 20 seconds to do so?
Gear down and go. It's not going to pass like a 600-1000cc sportbike, but you can get around most anything you need to get around. 6th gear doesn't have much passing power, but you can twist out 93-95 in 5th before it redlines. Well actually, that's on both my bikes, which are NC700X.....the 750X should have a little more grunt, so even 6th might have a little extra passing power. But you can gear down to 5th at higher speeds regardless and get around whatever is in your way.
 
Gear down and go. It's not going to pass like a 600-1000cc sportbike, but you can get around most anything you need to get around. 6th gear doesn't have much passing power, but you can twist out 93-95 in 5th before it redlines. Well actually, that's on both my bikes, which are NC700X.....the 750X should have a little more grunt, so even 6th might have a little extra passing power. But you can gear down to 5th at higher speeds regardless and get around whatever is in your way.
Yes of course gear down but I'm saying in relation to motorcycles with higher output the NC requires time, distance and forethought in fast crowded traffic that more powerful bikes don't require and the OP did ask about how the bike does at 80 mph in traffic. I feel it's something worth mentioning.

If I'm not riding alone I'm usually with 1 or 2 friends on 100+ hp bikes and the few times we transit long stretches of trafficked freeway I have to work a lot harder to keep up. Bikes that can almost instantly take advantage of a opening are soon getting smaller to an NC700X rider. I might get them in corner speed but not during an 80 to 90 mph passes. I think you get that but maybe I wasn't clear.
 
The NC has to be a lot faster than a CBR 300 which a couple of my buddies have and swear they have " no trouble running 80 all day long" (I love that expression, it cracks me up and everyone uses it. For some reason it seems to be the benchmark .... like if you can only run 75 mph all day long your bike us unworthy lol). I, by the way, rarely get to 80 (the speed limits on our freeways are 65 & 70) and I certainly have never done it all day long, even going to Florida or California on my ST 1300 or FJR. Might hit 80 passing someone, but never cruise at that speed. The exception was on my way back from Cali in Utah I believe, where the speed limit actually was 80.

BTW according to wiki

The highest posted speed limit in the country is 85 mph (137 km/h) and can be found only on Texas State Highway 130.
 
The NC has to be a lot faster than a CBR 300 which a couple of my buddies have and swear they have " no trouble running 80 all day long" (I love that expression, it cracks me up and everyone uses it. For some reason it seems to be the benchmark .... like if you can only run 75 mph all day long your bike us unworthy lol). I, by the way, rarely get to 80 (the speed limits on our freeways are 65 & 70) and I certainly have never done it all day long, even going to Florida or California on my ST 1300 or FJR. Might hit 80 passing someone, but never cruise at that speed. The exception was on my way back from Cali in Utah I believe, where the speed limit actually was 80.

BTW according to wiki

The highest posted speed limit in the country is 85 mph (137 km/h) and can be found only on Texas State Highway 130.
I get outran (barely) in the straights on track all the time by 3-400cc bikes. Mainly Yamaha R3's. So you'd be surprised. 300cc bikes may only have 30 something hp, but they also have a higher rpm range, weigh almost half as much, and are geared better.
 
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