I haven't reached full break in yet so the engine is still stiff. I am 245 LBS 5'11" and sitting upright I had indicated 87 MPH on a flat open road and 7,300 RPM. It may with patience have gone higher but I only had a short section of road to try this on and with only 400 miles on it at the time was not looking to push it.
This was with the original plug too. With over 600 miles now, dealer is too busy to service it yet, the engine is freed up a bit more. Once I get the Royal Purple in the engine and final drive with the new plug and loosened engine I am quite sure 90+MPH indicated is possible WOT on the flat without traffic to slipstream (open road).
On the GSP here traffic is usually at 70-75 MPH; the bike can roll with them no problem at all. 80 MPH with traffic is fine, but judging from when I was at 400 miles there is not much left to the throttle for acceleration. After it is fully loosened and the oil and Iridium plug the 80 MPH cruise should obtainable with a more comfortable reserve leftover.
If you need more then you can get the Dr Pulley 20x12 14gr sliding rollers. Once all broken in and set you should be able to see 100 MPH indicated or more. You also will be raising the RPM's and lowering gas mileage too. The problem with the bike as stands is the top of the pipe is 8,000-8500 RPM. As it stands top speed is not at the top of the band so we are losing total rear wheel horse power. Like any other vehicle though, as stock, when you lower the ratio to the rear or even get to over drive you raise the MPG.
As the bike stands, bone stock, it can easily out accelerate standing traffic, easily handles rolling into and cruising with interstate traffic and is just a plain blast to ride at 70+ MPG. You should see the looks I get passing cars on the interstate on a medium sized, for the USA, scooter. That and it is not like I am a small stick of a kid tucking behind the wind screen either.
I can't speak for the 500 other than I've seen the styling and am not overly impressed. Pictures of these bikes to it no justice, in person they are 10 times sexier. Next to the Burgman 400 or 650 it just shouts out to you, the dealer here is a Suzuki dealer too.
I have noticed now that the seat is breaking in my position is moving back slightly. Apparently my overly large butt is compressing the rear ridge and I am getting more room. Definitely more comfortable now this way so I will hold off on getting the seat done and see where I end up with it stock.
I got to finally do a 2 up with the bike around town and at 65 MPH on the highway. It was me at 245 LBS and my future son in law at 220 LBS. The bike rode fine and easily kept up with traffic but I did notice you have to get into the throttle a bit more. The rear felt a bit soft and the shocks are set to 3 of 5 and I hadn't upped the tire pressure either.
Sorry for the long wind but trying to give you as much info from my impressions so far as I can……………..
