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See, I think that is factually wrong. Most speed limits in this country are political, without any technical or other rational basis. Design speeds (in flat country) were already at the 100 mph level in the 1930s. For an interesting view on this see for example https://www.lewrockwell.com/2011/10/eric-peters/its-not-the-cars-or-the-roads-that-cant-handle-90-mph/.[...] It's 65 not to annoy you. It's 65 because the road was probably built 60 years ago and not engineered for 85MPH. [...]
I just shake my head when people who probably live in less populated areas make the assumption that the left lane can be open for others to pass in. In the Seattle area, no lanes are open. There's traffic filling every lane except at about 2 am in the morning. If you're lucky, you might see the traffic moving at 70 mph in all the lanes. But so often, you see the traffic at a crawl in all the lanes.Well, actually, it’s modern drivers that can’t handle 80 or 90.
Modern drivers who don’t use their mirrors – or do, but just don’t care (and absolutely won’t move over). Who consider it their American Idol–watching, Football-worshipping, god-given right to park their car in the left lane, set the cruise control at precisely the posted speed limit – and ignore whatever’s going on behind them.
Thus, we have the problem of speed variance.
It’s not so much that some cars are traveling at higher rates of speed; that isn’t a problem if people maintain lane discipline – and pay attention. If slower-moving drivers scan their mirrors and anticipate the need to move over – and do so – before the overtaking car is forced to jam on his brakes. Speed variance only becomes a problem when slower-moving drivers refuse to yield, or wait until an overtaking car is right behind them before they even put on their signal – causing faster-moving traffic to decelerate suddenly or take evasive action to get around the slow-mover.
Cars bunching up and up jockeying for position is what creates the safety hazard; not some cars moving at a higher rate of speed than others.
If the left lane was understood to be for passing only; if American drivers could be taught to reflexively defer to overtaking traffic rather than viewing such as a threat to their personal space and doing all in their power to impede it – well, then our speed limits could be real limits and we could drive faster, legally, in 2012 than people did back in 1960.
Don’t look for it to happen anytime soon.
So from the article you referred to...
I just shake my head when people who probably live in less populated areas make the assumption that the left lane can be open for others to pass in. In the Seattle area, no lanes are open. There's traffic filling every lane except at about 2 am in the morning. If you're lucky, you might see the traffic moving at 70 mph in all the lanes. But so often, you see the traffic at a crawl in all the lanes.
Chris
I was coming back from Laguna Seca after the BMW 100 Year celebration. The cruise control on the R1200RT will not set at a speed above 111; so that was what I was running. I was coming across the New Mexico desert when I got nailed. The officer was great. No lectures. No wasted time. "Here is your citation. Drive safely."
I decided to stop at a roadside tourist attraction/Indian souvenir/ ticky tacky shop. I bought some jewelry for my wife and for my son's girlfriend. The owner and his wife asked where I had been, where I was going,etc. and if I had enjoyed New Mexico. I told them about the ticket. The owner asked me if he could see it. I retrieved it from my bike and he said, "I know this trooper. Give me your ticket." I gave it to him along with a $100 bill. He smiled and said, "I see this is not your first rodeo." I gave him my card and told him to let me know when everything was taken care of. I got his email Monday. All is good in New Mexico. Being pleasant to officers and the people you meet pays dividends.
It's unfortunate they limit the cruise to 111.
I am just kidding. Who in their right mind would want to ride consistently over 90 anyway.
I know, I know, probably lots of people on this forum....
Carry on...
Confession. I speed. Sometimes. But only a few mph over the limit. Usually less than 5. This fits with the flow of traffic. Here in west Texas I try to stay less than +4 because that is ticket territory.
But, I also know that 15 or more over is prima facia reckless driving in most states. Which means that one unhappy officer can cite me big time instead of the kind reduced speed ticket.
Even a good traffic court lawyer whose "office" is his cell phone and the bench in the lobby at city hall (yes I know a few of these guys, I used to work at City Hall) can have a problem with a reckless driving charge.
I was coming back from Laguna Seca after the BMW 100 Year celebration. The cruise control on the R1200RT will not set at a speed above 111; so that was what I was running. I was coming across the New Mexico desert when I got nailed. The officer was great. No lectures. No wasted time. "Here is your citation. Drive safely."
I decided to stop at a roadside tourist attraction/Indian souvenir/ ticky tacky shop. I bought some jewelry for my wife and for my son's girlfriend. The owner and his wife asked where I had been, where I was going,etc. and if I had enjoyed New Mexico. I told them about the ticket. The owner asked me if he could see it. I retrieved it from my bike and he said, "I know this trooper. Give me your ticket." I gave it to him along with a $100 bill. He smiled and said, "I see this is not your first rodeo." I gave him my card and told him to let me know when everything was taken care of. I got his email Monday. All is good in New Mexico. Being pleasant to officers and the people you meet pays dividends.
It isn't just safety: you burn more fuel and wear out tires sooner at higher speeds. And don't forget insurance rates: they tend to go up as you collect speeding tickets. There are reasons besides safety for keeping speeds reasonable (near the posted speed limit).
From the Dunlop web site: To obtain the best mileage from your motorcycle tires, observe the following guidelines: obey the speed limit; avoid quick acceleration and hard braking; maintain recommended tire pressures; and do not overload your bike or tow a trailer.
Harry
You running Dunlops on that GS?
No, Dunlop was the first hit on my Google search.
It stands to reason that trying to push a bike through 100 mph air resistance will wear out a rear tire quicker than through 60 mph air resistance. That's the biggest reason it takes much more power to go very fast. And bikes are notoriously non-aerodynamic, have more drag.
I just don't see the point of going very fast.
Harry