What is an acceptable speed on a public road?

**The Everlasting** · 29th January 2010, 17:04

Originally Posted by Kendog

That is so true.
I have had a couple of cars that were capable of well over 200kph. Does that mean I should be allowed to drive at 200 on a nice open road?

No!

I too have a car that will do well over 200km/h,that doesn't mean I will be an idiot and do it,I will save that for the racetrack.

**Kendog** · 29th January 2010, 17:09

Originally Posted by The Everlasting

No!
I too have a car that will do well over 200km/h,that doesn't mean I will be an idiot and do it,I will save that for the racetrack.

I have bikes that can do well over 200 as well. That must be ok cause bikes are better than cars.

**Ixion** · 29th January 2010, 17:10

Originally Posted by Kendog

I have bikes that can do well over 200 as well. That must be ok cause bikes are better than cars.

But why? Since by your own statement you never exceed half that figure? Pointless, surely. Wasteful also.

**Kendog** · 29th January 2010, 17:19

Originally Posted by Ixion

But why? Since by your own statement you never exceed half that figure? Pointless, surely. Wasteful also.

Yep, very wasteful.
But I am willing to pay for a bike that rides like the K7 GSXR while only using half of it's potential speed. Because I really enjoy the way it rides in that half.

The reality is I don't have the desire to speed on the road anymore. I have discovered track riding. (god, that sounds like some religious babel, perhaps I should start a cult)

**The Everlasting** · 29th January 2010, 17:20

Originally Posted by Kendog

I have bikes that can do well over 200 as well. That must be ok cause bikes are better than cars.

So you won't do 200 in your car,but you don't mind doing it on your bike?

**Kendog** · 29th January 2010, 17:22

Just to clarify, I was being sarcastic about driving/riding on the road at 200k.

**The Everlasting** · 29th January 2010, 17:24

Oh,good..

**peasea** · 29th January 2010, 17:29

Originally Posted by The Everlasting

No!

I too have a car that will do well over 200km/h,that doesn't mean I will be an idiot and do it,I will save that for the racetrack.

I too have a car capable of 200kph, well at least that's what the speedo told me (for a nanosecond, then I put my focus back on the road where it belongs) but I've only done it once. Same for my bike. It's all about choosing the moment/place etc. The last time I approached 200 was on my bike somewhere in the Lewis Pass, nothing for miles, perfect vision/weather etc.

Does that make me an idiot?

**peasea** · 29th January 2010, 17:31

Originally Posted by scumdog

MY answer: Not 200kph for sure.(and ya can't do that speed for long in NZ anyway)

As much as it pains me to agree, I agree.

OUCH!

**Ixion** · 29th January 2010, 17:31

Originally Posted by peasea

I too have a car capable of 200kph, well at least that's what the speedo told me (for a nanosecond, then I put my focus back on the road where it belongs) but I've only done it once. Same for my bike. It's all about choosing the moment/place etc. The last time I approached 200 was on my bike somewhere in the Lewis Pass, nothing for miles, perfect vision/weather etc.

Does that make me an idiot?

Yes. Welcome to the club. We meet every alternate Thursday , in a pub near you.

**peasea** · 29th January 2010, 17:35

Originally Posted by The Everlasting

So you won't do 200 in your car,but you don't mind doing it on your bike?

I've done it with both, big fuckin deal.

I'd rather boast about how many k's done and managed to live to tell the tales. (And show the pics.) Nothing wrong with a good fang now and then though, just gotta watch where you do it and make sure you can't see any other traffic. I've always buttoned off when I've seen another vehicle approaching because when that happens you're not just dealing your own cards.

**peasea** · 29th January 2010, 17:36

Originally Posted by Ixion

Yes. Welcome to the club. We meet every alternate Thursday , in a pub near you.

As it happens...........I live in a village, how handy.

**SPman** · 29th January 2010, 17:41

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

Is that because in such a small country we will fall off the edge of the world?

No....more falling off the edge of a word.......

**peasea** · 29th January 2010, 17:42

Originally Posted by SPman

No....more falling off the edge of a word.......

Buggerrrr
r
r
r

**SPman** · 29th January 2010, 17:45

Originally Posted by Ixion

I concur. People keep talking about this "shit public perception ". I've yet to see it. The only thing anyone complains to me about is lane splitting (and that's just jealousy) and the occasional noisy bike (and that's less than boi-racers). It's a hand wave argument, used to shut down discussion.

As to the original question - it needs clarification.

Do you mean the generally accepted cruising speed - which for me is around 120 - 130 kph, which is what it's been for at least 30 years. Which is predicated by risk of cops, risk of wallys, and the fact that there aren't that many North Island roads where 140+ is practical for long periods. Note that i said "not practical" , not "not safe"

Or do you mean "the speed beyond which is never acceptable even for short periods - such as when overtaking". Which would be a lot higher. Probably 200+ , if the bike can do it. It's very easy indeed on a litre bike to be up to 170 or 180 without specifically intending to do so. No, I will not obsess about keeing to the speed limit when overtaking. I want to be back on my side of the road ASAP.

I must admit I do chuckle when I see people saying "Speed is evil, I never speed" , when they ride bikes capable of two or three times the limit. Yeah, sure. No-one buys a 300kph bike and never uses more than a third of that.

Myself, of course, I never speed. Speed kills, this I know for the government tells me so.

What I would have said, but beaten to it, more eloquently, by Les.