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It's a small bike, I know, but has anyone heard at what speed the 250 tops out at?

The reason I ask is that on my commutes home (just started this August) I seem to get caught off guard with a section of road that ever so gradually increases in slope, so that when I figure out that I'm slowing down and I start to roll on the throttle it takes a while for my bike to respond. I'll admit I'm still babying the bike a bit. I've got just over 1200 miles on it.

Supposedly tops out in the mid 70s, but once you learn to wind that puppy up, you'll probably be able to hit 80. By letting the engine rev higher before shifting I was able to get my Rebel over 85, and it's only had 17 hp.

Granted, any of the 250s aren't going to like going up hills much. Keep in the slow lane and downshift...it'll get where it's going. You've got an awesomely fun little bike there, perfectly for learning on.

Thumper wrote:Supposedly tops out in the mid 70s, but once you learn to wind that puppy up, you'll probably be able to hit 80. By letting the engine rev higher before shifting I was able to get my Rebel over 85, and it's only had 17 hp.

Granted, any of the 250s aren't going to like going up hills much. Keep in the slow lane and downshift...it'll get where it's going. You've got an awesomely fun little bike there, perfectly for learning on.

You have to remember that the speedos on most motorcycles, especially the smaller ones are optimistic. 75 mph top speed is probably very accurate for a 320lbs bike that only has 20 HP. For a 320 lbs bike to hit true 85 mph, you generally need mid to high 20s in HP.

I know my KLX's speedo is off by about 7 - 8 mph at the top range. I have seen it as high as 90 mph, which translates to about 82/83mph or so. This sounds right for a bike that weights about 265 lbs and is putting out HP in the low 20s with the modifications I made.

Thumper wrote:it'll get where it's going. You've got an awesomely fun little bike there, perfectly for learning on.

I appreciate the responses. I have a better idea of how to prepare for that gradual hill incline now. And yes it has been the best little bike for me to learn on these past few months. I've been pleased that it's performed well with every step of my skills development. As I get more comfortable with commuting, I'm looking forward to more weekend bike trips that build up my time in the saddle. Happy Cruisin'!

I got one to do 85, I was looking at a used one was thinking about making it look like a flat tracker.