What speed WOULD you ride at?

**MarkH** · 5th April 2009, 12:26

Hypothetical situation:
New government policy (perhaps due to a coup by bikers).
There is an advanced riding course available, maybe 80 hours of intensive training, followed by a tough test that you would need that training to pass. The course & test are free, but take at least 4 weekends. The reward is an upgrade to 'Advanced Motorcycle License' and this license removes the speed limit on the open road for you. There is no equivalent for car drivers.
So you do the course (and learn a lot of really valuable stuff) and pass the test. You then always ride to the conditions, of course.

But typically what is the speed you do on the open road (with this license)?

Remember - there is no speed limit for you on the open road, you can not be fined for speeding!

**FROSTY:Me** · 5th April 2009, 12:31

Im sory dude thats friggin impossible to answer.
It depends totally on the road and situation.
EG the NW motorway with no trafffic I'd be comfortable at 140-160
But in moderate traffic only 100-120

**smoky** · 5th April 2009, 12:33

There is no substitute for experience, time on the bike
I do think the slower open road limit for new riders is crap and could well cause problems than prevent accidents, but I wonder how much you could learn from a course that would help you go faster safer?
Not everything is taught

**LBD** · 5th April 2009, 12:34

Again depends on conditions, my 140 vote is an "up to" speed. I generally find 100 to 120 comfy for most dry NZ conditions, Good quiet country roads, or motorways without to much traffic, 140 is fine by me

**nallac** · 5th April 2009, 12:35

as fast as i could safely go.....

**MarkH** · 5th April 2009, 12:36

Oh yeah, there would be a large variation in speed due to various conditions (road/traffic/weather/rider). The idea is just riding along on the open road, how fast do you cruise along the straight bits when there are no cars in your way. Dry road, sealed, straight & flat. You don't have to worry about the police.

**MarkH** · 5th April 2009, 12:43

Originally Posted by smoky

There is no substitute for experience, time on the bike
I do think the slower open road limit for new riders is crap and could well cause problems than prevent accidents, but I wonder how much you could learn from a course that would help you go faster safer?
Not everything is taught

The course isn't about how to go faster. It is about how fast you feel safe riding at and keeping safe by riding within your limits. Once you pass you are expected to be responsible for deciding your speed and it is up to you to keep yourself alive. The authorities will survey all riders and compare deaths & accident rates between advanced riders and the rest. If the accident rate is lower for the advanced riders then the trial is considered a success. The idea would be based on the fact that riders will speed anyway and they should be taught how to set the speed to a safe level and how to handle almost any situation. Those with less experience would be taught how to give themselves more safety margin to reduce the chance of having an accident.

The poll is for how fast YOU feel safe riding if you don't have to fear speeding tickets.

**nallac** · 5th April 2009, 12:47

at the stop....

**MarkH** · 5th April 2009, 12:52

I suppose I should give my own response to this question.

Firstly of course I would need to buy my weekend bike (my weekday commuter would not be fast enough for this hypothetical situation). At the moment I would probably buy something like a GSXF750 for the performance characteristics that I want for now, after a couple of years experience riding that I might move up to a thou of some sort.

On a bike capable of ~220kph I would not generally ride it at the stop - too fast and too hard on the bike. But without traffic in the way, I would be happy to move along at 160kph. In traffic I would pass when/where safe and keep the speed differential within reason. For corners I would use the slow in/fast out technique to keep me alive, running into a corner too hot probably kills a lot of riders every year. At night I would ride slower, maybe 120 at most. I would also reduce speed in the wet and on rough roads.

But on a good road with no one in my way I don't think 160kph is dangerous.

**Ixion** · 5th April 2009, 12:58

Same speed I do now. Same speed I've done for th epast 40 years (if the bike can do it).

70-75. Only difference would be I'd not need to worry about a misplaced plod.

But then I prefer the back roads anyway.

**munterk6** · 5th April 2009, 14:16

Wot? this has gotta be a trick question right....is this a poll for the benefit of the Traffic cops? lets all spill the beans about our highly irresponsible and illegal if not criminal behaviour lol!

Just remember, what is said on the internet....STAYS on the internet.

**Jizah** · 5th April 2009, 14:59

I chose 140. I feel the risks outweigh the benefits any higher, although shorter bursts of higher speeds wouldn't be out of the question (if my bike went that fast)

**Creeping Death** · 5th April 2009, 15:09

Originally Posted by MarkH

Hypothetical situation:
New government policy (perhaps due to a coup by bikers).
There is an advanced riding course available, maybe 80 hours of intensive training, followed by a tough test that you would need that training to pass. The course & test are free, but take at least 4 weekends. The reward is an upgrade to 'Advanced Motorcycle License' and this license removes the speed limit on the open road for you. There is no equivalent for car drivers.
So you do the course (and learn a lot of really valuable stuff) and pass the test. You then always ride to the conditions, of course.

But typically what is the speed you do on the open road (with this license)?

Remember - there is no speed limit for you on the open road, you can not be fined for speeding!

I wish it were true...

**enigma51** · 5th April 2009, 16:05

I only do 100 anything faster is just too fucking scary

**caseye** · 5th April 2009, 16:08

Silly me, I answered as if I was already riding the open road in todays climate with Plods about.
I just don't think this one is going to fly MarkH, too many variablesa nd open to far too many interpretations.
I actually like the idea of an advanced licence that allows drivers/riders to travel to conditions, butt, yep here it comes, ther would still have to be rules and then, once again it;s open to interpretation by nasty little boys on white bikes(with the disco lights on poles) with a grudge against their fellow 2 wheelers.(not saying they're all like that)