What is an acceptable speed on a public road?

[shellfish]

And we wonder how bikers end up with a shit rep from other road users....

Your speed is not about how well you can handle the conditions, its about allowing for the other road users who dont look for bikes. Or do you really think that car and truck drivers are as capable and considerate as the average biker?
Speed does not kill, but it increases your chances of an accident and increases the injuries you end up with.
How many times can you come off at 160 and survive?

I didnt bother to vote in the poll as its a 'whos the biggest dick' competition.

[The Pastor]

so far 45% of people polled think that speeds over 120km/hr are acceptable. I think this number confirms what I have seen on nearly every ride.

[The Pastor]

And we wonder how bikers end up with a shit rep from other road users....

Do we have a shit rep? The ONLY negative feed back i've had from the non biking road commuinity is about lane splitters on the motorways. Some people complain about speeding motorbikes, but it is far far less than they complain about hoons in there cars.

[Katman]

So as I understand it the majority of riders I've ridden with think the acceptable speed limit is well over 200km/hr, but when you ask them they will say "120-140".

Perhaps that just says more about your poor choice of riding companions than anything else.

[The Pastor]

Perhaps that just says more about your poor choice of riding companions than anything else.

not really my choice, its on the kb rides where anyone can turn up. I do most of my riding alone.

[The Everlasting]

The Posted speed limit.

[Pascal]

Actually not HIS problem....more like OUR problem well actually anyone nearby him on the road perhaps.

Yup, that's the bit that gets me too. I don't mind fuckwits, I'd just rather they weren't anywhere around me or my family.

[FROSTY:Me]

There is no one single answer to this question.It is and always will/should be situational.
i ride differently on a busy suburban motorway than I do on a wide open country road. I ride different at night than I do at day and different if its wet/damp or dry.
i ride different on a road ive just ridden on an hour before to a road I havent been on for awhile.
Thats not taking into account the bike im riding

[imdying]

So as I understand it the majority of riders I've ridden with think the acceptable speed limit is well over 200km/hr, but when you ask them they will say "120-140".

Is this a fair observation?

Yes and no... I think they're telling the truth when they say 120-140 is acceptable. In other words, they know they're riding at an unacceptable pace when they're doing 200.

[The Pastor]

There is no one single answer to this question.It is and always will/should be situational.
i ride differently on a busy suburban motorway than I do on a wide open country road. I ride different at night than I do at day and different if its wet/damp or dry.
i ride different on a road ive just ridden on an hour before to a road I havent been on for awhile.
Thats not taking into account the bike im riding

For arguments sake lets assume the road is in your ideal perfect condtions. What do you think is acceptable and what isnt?

[The Pastor]

Yes and no... I think they're telling the truth when they say 120-140 is acceptable. In other words, they know they're riding at an unacceptable pace when they're doing 200.

but they must think its acceptable if they do it - im not talking about a 1 off, most of them ride very fast very often.

[Quasievil]

I do most of my riding by myself and i usually sit at 160-200 (redline to the deadline)

I think your full of shit and trying to be something youre not i.e a good fast rider, I think you should ride full throttle everywhere

[Ixion]

Do we have a shit rep? The ONLY negative feed back i've had from the non biking road commuinity is about lane splitters on the motorways. Some people complain about speeding motorbikes, but it is far far less than they complain about hoons in there cars.

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.

[Mikkel]

For the record, everyone who's replied "the posted speed limit". BAH BAH BAH BAH. Good on you, you sheep - now go and buy a Suzuki Swift.

The acceptable speed comes down to a huge numbers of factors, the speed limit isn't one of them. The individual competency of the operator does factor in - but not to a very high degree really. Anyone who fails/refuses to think for them self we can do without!

Your speed is not about how well you can handle the conditions, its about allowing for the other road users who dont look for bikes. Or do you really think that car and truck drivers are as capable and considerate as the average biker?

Most likely yes! There are plenty of dickheads on two wheels - why else would group riding be considered a high-risk activity by many experienced riders?

And you can speed (relative to the posted limit) excessively and still retain ample allowance for external factors. ...provided you know the road well, have been through there recently and know there isn't any hidden dangers.

This thread high-lights the real irony of the errant "Speed kills!" campaign - namely that many motorists now considers the police a road hazard you need to keep an eye out for.

Speed does not kill, but it increases your chances of an accident and increases the injuries you end up with.

Can you find anything to support the part of your statement which I have highlighted? And, no, crying and mumbling something about common sense isn't a valid answer. (Besides, it should be risk of an accident - not chance of an accident, unless you are a masochist.)

How many times can you come off at 160 and survive?

That very much depends on whether you hit something while you are sliding or not. You may as well fall off at 30 km/h and get run over by a truck...

[imdying]

but they must think its acceptable if they do it - im not talking about a 1 off, most of them ride very fast very often.

What I'm saying is that they know it's not acceptable to ride at 200km/hr, but they do it anyway.

Just because you know it's unacceptable to speed like a mofo, doesn't necessarily mean you're not going to do it.