Hitchcocks Forum

I've just been asked, what is the cruising speed for one of the brand new C5 models. Not having one myself.... what experiences are there on here, please? Top speed and Motorway cruising?

Just for interest, they seem to be called C5 more on American websites. Is that right?


Thanks, Chris

Mine is a 2015 registered 2014 build RE Classic 500 aka Bullet Classic 500, often just referred to as the C5. It is slightly different to the pre-2013 model in having different front forks with a 19-in wheel; this seems to has stopped the infamous head shaking at high speed, I'd call it rock solid now.



It is able to cruise at 65-75mph, it will go a little faster but is perhaps a little slow for a long motorway jaunt. For those that don't know, our motorway 70mph speed limit means cars travel north of 80mph; the bike will be stuck in the lorry lane out of harms way most of the time, most lorries are limited to 60mph. The sit up and beg riding position does mean you get unpleasant wind buffeting (and drag) at motorway speed.

Pottering along at 60-65mph is what it does best. If you want a fast motorway cruiser, this is the wrong bike. Otoh if you want a bike that handles rotten country roads with ease, this is the right one.

Despite their apparent differences in gearing all the current EFI models with the exception of the Continental will hit their rev limiters with 1mph of each other with a top speed of around 83mph stock.

Cruising speed is a bit subjective but personally I prefer to run my engine where its almost vibration free which is between 3,750-4000rpm (60-65mph)


For motorway work I take the other bike.

Three other factors that will affect cruising speed are (1) whether the gearing has been altered. The current C5 has an 18 tooth gearbox sprocket. A lot of owners put a 19 tooth one on to make it less revvy. I shall do this when the final drive chain needs renewing because I feel that for the roads I mostly ride it is under-geared. (2) whether it is standard or has had a free-flowing exhaust and air filter fitted, a popular mod though one that doesn't interest me, (3) how heavy/bulky the rider is and whether or not a passenger is carried. The claimed crankshaft bhp and actual rear wheel bhp are significantly different, so there's not a lot of spare power for fast cruising. I guess another factor is how tolerant of/insensitive to vibration the rider is. The bikes do vary a lot. Re the C5 thing, no it's not an American thing. Hitchcocks also refer to the Classic EFI as the C5; it distinguishes it more easily from the Bullet Classic, the old style Indian Bullet with chrome mudguards etc. It's easier to say C5 than Classic EFI.

The rev limiter operates at 5500rpm by cutting the spark. The current C5 does have an 18T sprocket but an 18-in rear wheel, 70mph seems to come up about 4200rpm on the Smiths add-on tacho but I haven't "calibrated" mph per rpm; it has been 'over 80mph' indicated. Is the gearing the same as the last recent model?



Vibration - It does vibrate but not unpleasantly. During initial running-in it was like getting double vision, that has gone now. It does like pottering at 55-65mph but since running-in most of the vibration has gone away (along with nearly half the cooling fin rubbers onto the road somewhere in England) and it doesn't vibrate more as speed increases. Dunno, RE engines are notoriously all different.

Opening the throttle at 65mph results in more noise and not a lot of do whereas it should be in the middle of its power band. Peak power is supposed to be at 52500. I may need to play with the PCv. And that is a point, I am running H's mapping for 'free-flow' Dynojet Power Commander V which not only gives it more grunt but also a smoother delivery.

Rattlebatte - I'm also contemplating the 19T but some report this reduces top speed. Probably because of air drag which is proportional to V-squared; I don't like lying on the tank and I don't have rear-sets.



Otoh I do feel it is woefully undergeared. Otoh2 it doesn't seem to want to pull up from 4200 to 5000 in top. Otoh3 it will pull away from any family car at the lights and get to 60 smartly. For comparison my 2.2 turbo-diesel SUV has 'stage 1' and produces too many horses in excess of 250bhp so it's quick for a 2.4 tonne box but the C5 is quicker at getting away. Imo what it really wants is wider gearing.

[center]
For those peter sellers lovers, all together now,,,



It goes Chug, chuggy-chug, chuggy-chug, chuggy-chug, chuggy-chug, chuggy-chug, chuggy-chug-chug chug,

Chug, chuggy-chug, chuggy-chug, chuggy-chug, well goodness gracious me!







or about 65-75, depending on how long you wish it to last.

Thanks for all the replies. That's worth passing on. Didn't expect the above "diagram" as well; thanks Scalyback!

atb -C

If peak power is supposed to be at 52500 rpm then no wonder they go ballistic........

For what its worth I have a 2011 C5 with a 20T gearbox sprocket (minor filing of outer case required) and it cruises happily at 60-65 which seems to be the sweet spot - i.e. very little vibration and completely clear mirrors. It probably knocks 2-3 mph off the top speed but as the legal limit in this country is 70mph I'm not too bothered. I return 89mpg on mixed town, A and B road and M'way riding. I've also fitted our hosts' Airblade windscreen which makes even Motorways much more comfortable. By the way, jefrs, my Classic 500 has an 18" front wheel and it doesn't shake its head under any circumstances - rock solid steering. If a C5 wobbles then the headstock bearings or s/a bearings need replacing and/or the tyre pressures are out.