Is this okay? High speed/Rpm

On my way to my Fiance's house there is a mile or two of tight twisty road that is fun to lean the bike hard on. I generally keep it in second at around 7k when exiting turns ill throttle up to 9k and back to 7 as the next turn comes on. Is it okay to run the bike that hard?

Also on my way home im on an empty 4 lane highway with walls on both sides and no onramps. This is where I tend to let the bike stretch its legs. Is running towards the top of 4th gear for a mile or two bad for it? No one around empty highway. I guess im asking how durable these bikes are.

I have a rebuilt mc, forks, ss lines, new tires, rebuilt calipers, and a fresh oil change so Ive got the saftey side of what can be done on the bike finished.

The bike seems stable minus the wind. Thinking about getting a different helmet though my shoei qwest hurts my neck after awhile.

 

These things were made to be run that way. Stay out of redline and you're good, enjoy!

 

6-9k is pretty much all my bike sees its where its fun lol

 

How about rate of speed on my straight away I feel pretty comfortable are these bikes "builg" to be able to handle 4th gear at 8k for a few miles a couple times a week?

 

I cruise at 80mph (over 7K rpm) on my 550s all day, no issues.

I also pull redline (10K) with great regularity.

These motors are much happier above 6K than below.

(provided they're properly tuned.)

 

Well, personally I'd kick it to 5th and run at 5k, but running at 8k won't hurt it at all. Just keep the oil correct for your environment and topped off so your machine stays happy.

 

I figured its not a problem. Do you have a windshield? What helmet do you wear? I feel like my shoei qwest catches a lot of wind.

Just wanted to make sure im not crazy and waiting to throw a rod. I know there are guys who wont do over 50 and those who ride like theyre on a race track.

Are the 550's pretty nimble?

 

4th and 5th are very close gear wise so in all reality 8k in 4th is like 7200 in 5th.

While we are on the subject slowing down from these speeds its best to engine brake to start before grabbing brakes?

 

If it is not an emergency stop, it is always better to use the engine compression and downshift, and then use the wheel brakes.

 

Windshield? Nope. I LIKE the wind; if you have the proper riding position you can use it to help support your weight.

My current helmet is an HJC CL-SP (full-face) and I'm very happy with it.

And yes the 550s are very nimble; especially a Seca with upgraded suspension and nice sticky Avon tires.

 

I remember pretty well that my X felt very comfortable while climbing the RPMs between 6000 and 9000 RPM. These are smooth running engines.

 

I like the wind as well maybe im just not sitting right? I lean into it but it feels like it really pulls on my helmet. I do wear an xl... but one wouldnt think it would make THAT big of a differece.

Id like a 550 i keep my eyes out for them on cl. The maxim isnt the lightest bike in the world and your 550 is down right SEXY.

 

I'll cruise around 5000, but I'm going easy on gas...

 

I think you ride a lot faster that I. I'm rarely over 60 mph. There's no place I need to go in that much of a hurry and I don't like the interstate. I prefer the journey more than the destination.

 

I cruise around 60 or less all the time. I just have a 10 mile stretch of highway in my commute that is deserted at night. Its fun to just fly every now and then.

 

I live out in the boonies (well, tiny town, located therein.)

Once I get clear of "civilization" and can basically run as fast as I want, I run it up to 75 ~ 80mph and smooth on down the road. It just "feels right" at that speed. Fuel economy doesn't suffer.

In or near the city, it's different. I (pretty much) behave myself, speed-wise.

 

I was keeping up with a new Camarro on the way home from work last night (pulling 90+) from stand still at an on ramp to my home exit. I don't think he was too happy about it but I was having a blast. But I have an XJ900 with a few power mods...

 

I have a 1/4 fairing and it made a big difference in the wind buffeting w/o adding much weight or bulk. Use a Hawk (snell) full face with chin & top side 'in' vents and dual 'out' vents on back. I still feel the air but it's way more predictable and if I lean down to a few inches above the tank there is no wind at all. It makes a difference if it's humid or dry as humid air is much heavier. In our part of the world the air is more often humid than dry-and you live near a really big lake so even more so.

As far as speed the answers you got are totally correct-XJ's love the winding as long as they're in tune. One word of caution though, your max has a lot of power so your turns at those rpms are near your max grip-after rainstorms watch for gravel in turns, and always watch for any debris like fallen leaves when they're coming down. With that in mind when it's safe to do so I wind the 550 right on up, and yes it is an extremely easy bike to handle in the turns-the mill is lighter and the chain seriously cuts the weight.

 

"Is it alright to run a Bike that hard?"
What, ... you're asking this bunch if you can ride hard?
Yes.
But, you shouldn't get-on a just-got Bike and expect it to be running well-enough to be honked or shoved into any leaners.
You don't hop-on, rev up your engine, listen to its howlin' roar, and hit the highway to the danger zone!

Don't ride into the danger zone before all boxes on your pre-flight sheet are checked.
Before you launch off the flight-deck that ends where your driveway becomes the street.
Brakes, tires, suspension, critical component check.
"Put a wrench on everything!"

Use your head, too.
There's places where DPW hasn't touched the winter sand mess. Around here, you can find potholes filled with loose blacktop that should have a cone nearby.

I added a Rev-limiter to my 900 because I was always getting into the Redline and didn't want to kill it.

 

I rode mine 120 miles around 7k rpms on a warmer summer day. I dont like the fact that i dont know my engine temp.

 

Sounds like a normal Sunday afternoon. Don't even give it a second thought if your bike is in tune.

And MM is right about something else: be careful with the throttle depending on where you are in the power band and degree of lean in a turn. Get a bit too hasty with the right wrist and you can pop the rear wheel right out from under yourself.

 

I feel your pain. I often wonder if it's normal to be doing 5500-6000 rpm's at 110-120km/h. I trust the guys here when they tell me it's normal but it's still in the back of my head...lol

 

We all have our comfort zones and those increase and decrease with immediate experience (amount of riding, recent "learning experiences", new tires...). I know I'm a bit more careful of the right wrist when I first start a season or when I'm shaking a new fix down. I trust my work and my bike to what I ask her to, I just need to be sure I'm asking for the right thing and I just don't want to be so confident about my repair skills that it borders on foolish.