top speed is faster than my balls are big.............. and I've got big balls!!!!

 

lus1:
Mine aren't too big though.

By the way, :welcomes:

 

The M will cruise at 70 without any issues.

 

Yeah it will cruise at highway speeds no problem. Trust me I've made a 2700 miles run on I-80 (75mph speed limit). As for the top speed. I have had it up to 117. Speed-o reads 120. She'll do it on a slight hill I'm sure.

 

if you're buying the M for speed, you're buying the wrong bike. You don't buy an 800cc cruiser for speed.

That being said, the M's fairly quick, and torquey down low, so it feels quicker than it is. I cruise in at 75-80 on my morning commute without issue, and she doesn't really start to gasp a little bit until you hit 95-100 or so. I've been up to an indicated 120, but lets face it, that's closer to 100-105 real speed.

 

Yup, speedo error plays a bigger part at these speeds.

My biggest recommendation for highway speed cruising is get a windshield, even if it is just a little one.

The other thing I noticed is when I pulled the baffles out of mine it seemed more relaxed at those higher speeds. This could just be a sound thing, but it might be a backpressure thing too... maybe a little of each. Not sure if that's an option in California.

 

An '07 M50 will haul a 350lb guy up to indicated 95 mph, not sure how much was left after that, I was at wide-open throttle catching up to a buddy on a sportbike.

 

thanks all for the info, i am not trying to buy a cruiser to race. I just didnt want to be cruising at 70-80 and have nothing left over that. the fact that it will get up to 100 is plenty fast enough, especially when factoring in the wind i would imagine. thanks again.

Chris

 

I cruise at 70-80 with no problems. above 80 the engine noise turns into a buzz and can get annoying, however it'll do 95+ with no problems.

 

I usually take the highway to work, which is a 15 - 20 minute 80mph ride. Bike seems to be holding up pretty good. I weigh 180lbs. You definitely need a windshield though to eliminate the elements.

Good luck.

 

:welcomes: Chris!

For me the M cruises really comfortably at 120 on the highway.

 

You drive to work must be all down hill, what a pain to ride home.

 

:welcomes: Chris
Snafu's 120 is KPH (about 75 mph) in USA
windshield is a plus for trips and not just for fighting the buffeting at speed

 

Just wanted to see if anyone was paying attention.

I got the Memphis Hellcat shield and works excellent for me on the highway. I got it set up so I feel no buffeting. The first time I experienced strong side winds it was a little scary, you can really feel the bike being swayed and to me feels like the wheels are going to be blown right out from under you.

 

I use to ride at around 120 km/h. The speed limit is 100km/h on the highway in Canada, but everybody is driving up to 20 km/h faster. The engine sounds very well at this speed and isn't stressed at all. This with a light passenger (my wife).
I had the bike up to 140km/h and way more left in the acceleration. At 120 in the 5th I am at 1/2 of the acceleration position.

 

Windshields??? No way, just get used to riding without.

Wind really isn't that bad unless you're doing 80 into a headwind. Then you get to look like a real weirdo trying to tuck like you're on a sportbike.

 

Aha, I see. KPH, well that makes more sense.
And yes I do not one to be one of those guys. The ones who are tucking in like they are riding a GP bike on the freeway, makes me laugh every time I see one.

Thanks for the great info, you have eased my doubts about using the bike to commute occasionally to and from work. Thanks for all the welcomes, you guys have a great forum here. I think I will stick around for a little while longer.

Chris

 

Aha, I see. KPH, well that makes more sense.

Yes, sometimes is confusing. But keeping in mind that this bike's top speed should be somewhere around 11x MPH (~18x KPH), a cruising speed of 120 can be only in KPH.
The wind is indeed a problem if you don't have a windshield and its windy. On windy days, cruising at 120 KPH is a real pain for me (no windshield). I try to avoid highways on these days. The bike is very stable and the engine doesn't feel the pressure of the wind, but my head is like a ping-pong ball and my neck hurts after some time due to so much fighting to keep the head straight!:lol4:
But keep in mind that Canadian highway can be reeeeeally windy!

 

I have Hit 150 KPH - 160 KPH (93mph - 100 mph) easy over a short distance, but after that you need to have a long straight as the torque and power start to level out. I have found that it is fun to duck low like a sport bike guy (although weird looking) and you feel like you need to hold on as the wind is strong with out a windshield.
So for me I have done 160 KPH (100 mph) pretty easy, not to often, as it is really not needed, but it is fun to do now and then for short periods.
I have read somewhere that the max is 188 KPH - 194 KPH (117 mph - 120 mph) , but that must be over a long straight as the design of the torque and power curves are for quick low end power not high rev power.

I feel very comfortable cruising at 120 KPH ( 75 MPH ) at 140 kph ( 87 mph )the wind is not comfortable, but you can get used to it. I do not have a shield.
my 2 cents
burnt

 

i took a longish trip (1000km) and i'll tell you one thing.

get a windshield for the long trips... i was worn out from the wind, not the ride!

at the high speeds (140kph+) i felt like i was going to get ripped off the bike due to strong head and cross winds, yet the bike was still very stable at those speeds.

 

Numerous times I've done 160km (= 100m) for a short period of time and felt like there was alot left. Re the windshield, I think it's helpful for long highway cruises like womper says. For the short commutes I do, a windshield isn't necessary. You get used to the wind.

 

Was Riding For 3 Hrs Straight Doin 140-160 Km/hr........all I Can Say Is The Vehicles Ahead Of Me Just Changed Lanes When They Saw Me Approaching
Dats Da Respect You Get When U Ride The 50

 

My M50 will do 80mph all day long and tops out at an indicated 107mph carrying my 275lbs. I also have a windshield.

 

i reached 160Km/h sometimes...i thought it was enough...

anyway i don't think there's much more power/speed left....

 

Here is a short video of my bike at 120 kph (~75mph). You can hear the engine is not so stressed at this speed. I find this speed suitable for highway cruising. No vibrations, excellent handling, a little too much wind in your face sometimes, very good roll on acceleration if you need it. I ride almost always with my wife as passenger.

YouTube - Suzuki Boulevard M50 at 120 km/h

Enjoy!

Ride safe!

 

sweet video....also saw another one on youtube w/ a guy doing over 110 indicated on the speedo.

 

Indicated top speed of M50, at least 120mph.
YouTube M50 almost TOP SPEED

If it is any consolation, my BMW R1150RS could go and indicated 110mph before aerodynamics made the Beemer unstable. Motor police officers claimed they could get their BMW R1150RTP-R1200RTP to 125mph, but the motorcycle was highly unstable at this speed. 110mph was top speed that felt safe.

My Harley Road King Classic at WOT would also only do an indicated 110mph.

 

I've done 160kph on this bike no problem, but its not fun.. the fact of the matter is that its got a lot of power for its size, but its underpowered for riding at fast highway speeds.. of course I say this after riding 1700cc's cruisers but hey.. the M50 is still a GREAT bike!