RSV Top Speed

[Freebird]

Over the years, I've seen posts from several people who have claimed that the top speed on their RSV is about 90 MPH. I've never understood that and am now wondering how many here have bikes that top out around that speed.

 

What got me thinking about this was that over the past months my bike was not running well. A couple of weeks ago, I opened it up and found that 90 MPH was all it would do. Now I had had mine to close to 120 MPH in the past so obviously something was wrong. Unfortunately, I got frustrated and took somewhat of a "shotgun" approach to the problem and so don't know just exactly what corrected my problem. I changed plugs but had done that before so I know it wasn't the problem. I also changed my number 3 coil which I think was breaking down under load. I pulled the carbs and reset the floats. One was a bit high. I also suspect that the air box was not seated good on top of at least one of the carbs. The bottom line is that when I was done, I took it out again and it runs like I knew it should. Acceleration is very strong and I took it up to about 112 and it was still climbing pretty good. I have the Speedohealer so that is true speed.

 

I was later talking to my friend Bob Dakin and he told me that his Midnight Venture has never run faster than about 90 since the day that he bought it. I am convinced that there is a problem with his and he is going to come over one day soon so that we can figure it out. How many of YOU have the same problem? If your bike tops out under 100 MPH, I am sure that there is a problem and I don't think it would be that difficult to figure it out.

[flb_78]

Ive had mine to a speedohealed 110mph. The front end shake stops me there. Before the speedoheal, I could tag 120.

[calperin]

Don,

 

By sure my max was 95 mph. Checked last monday on highway with the new winshield.

I was surprised for bike stability, but didn't realize I was on 5th. I tried by instict to change gear and I realized that there were no more gears....

 

Mine is a Royal Star 97 1300. So, engine seems to be the same without YICS, and smaller carbs.

 

Regards,

 

[Freebird]

Ive had mine to a speedohealed 110mph. The front end shake stops me there. Before the speedoheal, I could tag 120.

 

I see a problem there also. I've never had even a hint of front end shake on the RSV at any speed.

 

Don,

 

By sure my max was 95 mph. Checked last monday on highway with the new winshield.

I was surprised for bike stability, but didn't realize I was on 5th. I tried by instict to change gear and I realized that there were no more gears....

 

Mine is a Royal Star 97 1300. So, engine seems to be the same without YICS, and smaller carbs.

 

Regards,

 

 

I'm not sure about the Royal Stars. I know that due to the smaller carbs and restricted air flow that they were a lot less HP than the RSV and the newer RSTD. That may be about right on a fairly stock Royal Star.

[BuddyRich]

Must be that CT..

 

Had mine to about 130 by the tach. There's about 5 miles of straight flat road on Hiway 12 out by Travis AFB. Took it as fast as it would go. once she was over 120 on the speedo the tach was slow to get more revs up in 5th. I didn't have the speedohealer then but it was around 5900 rpms when I backed off. No shake or anything on mine.

[BurgyMon]

My burgman scooter will do 95...on one cylinder...but that's all its got...

[Guest JGorom]

Had mine over 100 mph a couple of times then I backed off...realizing that I am too old for this and I could be killed doing something stupid.

[juggler]

As far as I know the top speed on my bike is 90mph. However, I've never tried to take it any faster. I really don't have much of a need for speed. However I am posting because my bike is running a bit piggish now. It's guzzling gas like it's 99 cents a gallon. I know something is wrong. I'm interested in knowing what you find.

 

I am having Black Owl being his carbtune over, but there is n way I'll ever tear the carbs off. I'm not that good of a mechanic. Has anyone ever had the rubber plugs for the vauum ports fail? Mine look very cracked and I don't think they come off without breaking apart.

[Freebird]

I'm not really suggesting that we should be riding that fast. It's just that I KNEW my bike was not running right. Acceleration was not what it once was and me trying to open it up was just sort of my final way of confirming that I was right that there was something wrong. Acceleration is MUCH stronger now also.

 

Don't worry about the rubber caps. They will probably break up when you remove them if they are cracked. They get brittle over time. Most auto parts stores have new ones that work great. I've replaced mine a couple of times over the years. If they are cracked, you need to replace them anyway. You could be sucking air through them already.

[Steve S]

I have had my Black Beast well over the 120 speedo mark several times. That is not an accurate speed, but it sure the heck is faster than 90 mph.

[DKleven]

Had my 07 up to 110 and it was still going but had to get off at the next exit..... stock speedo....runs like a charm.......no shake or wobble at all.....

[flb_78]

I see a problem there also. I've never had even a hint of front end shake on the RSV at any speed.

 

Im sure that in the last 80,000 miles, the front forks are worn and probably in need of a rebuild job.

 

Or it could be the skinnier Avon front tire. the threads about the 1st gen wobble with the Avons come to mind.

[Freebird]

Have you ever repacked the head bearings? Yamaha puts about as much grease on them as they do on the rear splines. Too many people just tighten them but never go to the trouble to repack them. At 80,000 miles, if you have never repacked them then it's probably too late and they need replacing. I think if people would go to the trouble to repack them early on then they will last for many more miles than that. It's not a quick job but do it once and they will be good for a LONG time.

[Redneck]

I can tell you from experience the speedometer quits moving at 120 but the bike will keep accelerating. I didn't have a tach at the time and didn't think about turning on the gps till after I got home I would guess it will run about 20 mph faster than a first gen.

[BradT]

I had mine up to 165 km (103) on the GPS, a few times riding two up, still pulling when I let off, no wobble.

 

Juggler if you noticed a major drop in gas mileage check your plugs to see what they look like. You may have one that is not firing properly, when riding on three cylinders only it is hard to tell as this engine still runs strong. It will suck the gas while doing so. My 86 was running on three cylinders at 75 mph without a problem and still could pass, but the fuel mileage was horrendous.

 

BRad

[Rich99]

But that was only after I put the Baron Nasty Boys on with K&N filters. Had throttle left, but I didn't want to go any faster, at that speed, it gets you to thinking what would happen if anything were to go wrong.

[BigShell]

I hit 85 (true speed) on an almost daily basis while entering the highway or passing someone. Trying to break that habit, but its hard!. Anyway, lots of throttle left.

 

When I had a dead cylinder (fouled plug), I found acceleration sucked, gas was being sucked, and top speed was about 100 (indicated - not true speed). When its right, it will cross the 100 mark easy, but I don't know where it tops out.

[Eck]

 

I would guess it will run about 20 mph faster than a first gen.

... only you..

[Color01]

I had mine many times over the 120 mph .( almost every day ) without any problems in the front end.

[kwisor]

hello all

had my 99 rsv on a dyno and thay got it to 127 runs great best bike i ever owned

kevin wisor

1999 rsv

jax fl

[Gary N.]

Hey Don,

 

Next maintenance day we should have a test and tune over at the Norwalk drag strip. We could settle once and for all who has the fastest color and which generation () is the fastest too.

We could have burn out contests too. I'm sure someone would donate a set of brickstones to the winner.

[Freebird]

I think that would be a lot of fun. That is only about 20 minutes or so from my house. Don't know if they would allow such a thing or not though. As for the burnout contest, I think I'll pass and just watch the rest of you.

[Squeeze]

Don, for an Amount of Money, a Track Promoter is to do about anything .... :)

 

Don't know how much Cash you should have at Hands.

[yamahamer]

Iplayed with a corvete once and he said I toped out at 140. that was fast enough for me!

[lockdoc]

On my last ride up north I was out in the bush so I wound my RSV out. Speedo hit the end of the dial i.e. 185kms (115 mph) and continued to accelerate quite strongly so I'm assuming it will do at least a real 115 mph. No wheel wobble either. I was surprised. It had me backing off.