What rpm / powerband do you guys ride in?

[ohgood]

Interesting data GSJack, to begin with red lining at 48 mph my engine would probably explode before I got to 40. 140 as a top speed is theoretically quite possible, seeing that I have been 120 at 10,000+ rpms. We assume also that what your speedometer says is usually 5 mph faster then your actual speed. Most GS's seem to have a higher indicated speed then actual speed. I am interested in more current data on the newer GS's regarding gear ratios. Ah someday people will begin appreciate the  strength to weight ratio of the GS500. It is a great motorcycle. Geez I sorry I didnt mean to hijack the thread Centralcoaster, ok you all ride safe out there.

If all that mattered were the gear ratios and horsepower, the whole world would be different. You would be able to over drive your final gearing to the point 500 mph was possible. Unfortunately, the biggest factor isn't a vehicle's weight, or load that it pulls on flat ground. Your real enemy is drag. Wikipedia's authors do  a really nice job of explaining how the math works. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_(physics)

Provided you built a bullet shell big enough for you to occupy around the gs, maybe you could reach 140 or even 150 mph. You would have to change the gearing also, so the motor wouldn't let the magic smoke out with you stretched over it like superman.

I definitely wouldn't push the gs to sustained redline just to see how fast it's capable of. If that infamous magic smoke were to escape while you're testing the limits, it might just bite you

Revving it while in neutral and stopped just to hear it shouldn't hurt or matter. It's that whole part about things coming apart and turing into shrapnel at >100 MPH that worries me.

[Teek]

I find I'm cruising comfortably (an easy cruise on the flats) at about 4K and the bike prefers performing at 5-8k. 8k is about as high as I go except for a very brief push to maybe 9K playing catchup to my hubby on an uphill in a canyon or on a stretch of flat between turns. It gets a touch boggy at 3.5K. 3K when doing lazy downshifts coasting to a red light is fine, but I blip her up to do the actual shifts. She's very smoooooth.

[ohgood]

Thanks, I picked it up a little on the ride home, much more peppy over 5K.  Next I'll check the valves and maybe rejet it and clean the carbs, I'm sure that work is all overdue since I have no maintenance history on the bike.

I'm still taking baby steps, I haven't even gone on the freeway yet.

+1 on some maintenance. As far as getting out on the freeway, you're not missing anything. I'd rather spend a couple hours in some turns than sitting on the freeway wide open. Boooooring. Not to mention getting blown around if it's windy.

It's more fun with the twisties or refining your parking lot skills. Besides, if you mess up at 80 mph, it's a real mess.

[Teek]

"As far as getting out on the freeway, you're not missing anything. I'd rather spend a couple hours in some turns than sitting on the freeway wide open. Boooooring. Not to mention getting blown around if it's windy.

It's more fun with the twisties or refining your parking lot skills. Besides, if you mess up at 80 mph, it's a real mess."

Very wise words!  The only good use for a fwy for me when on my moto is if it's the only way to get to the next canyon. Otherwise I'm taking the cage!