Alright folks, let me tell ya about that day I finally decided to push my 2017 R3 to its absolute limit. Been itching to know what this thing really could do speed-wise, you know? Not just guessing or reading specs.
Prepping The Beast
First things first – dragged the bike out around sunrise. Figured weekdays mean less cops and traffic on my usual testing road, this long straight industrial stretch. Checked everything twice:
- Topped off the tank with premium fuel
- Poked tires to confirm proper pressure
- Strapped my phone running GPS speedometer on the handlebars
- Threw on my thickest jacket and full-face helmet
Was feeling that mix of nerves and excitement. R3’s not a monster bike but 321cc should haul ass right?
The Warm-Up Runs
Started gentle – couple passes getting up to like 70mph just to feel the bike out. Engine humming smooth, no weird vibrations. Wind started hitting me harder past 80. Crouched real low over the tank trying to be a tiny target.
Next pass went for it – twisted that throttle hard through the gears. Engine screaming in lower gears then kinda… settled? Hit 95mph and felt it fighting wind resistance HARD.
Going For Gold
Took deep breath before last run. Pinned throttle wide open from standstill. Quick-shifted through 1-2-3-4 keeping revs up near redline. Hit fifth gear around 105mph and bam – like hitting a wall. Felt the acceleration just die. Kept it pinned forever watching speedo crawl:
- 109… 110… took ages
- 111… 112… still flooring it
- 113… and it just wouldn’t budge further
GPS confirmed 113.7mph top speed. Legs were shaky pulling over. That wind roar at max speed is NO joke – felt like invisible hands trying to rip me off the seat.
Straight Talk Conclusion
Honest thoughts? Impressed it hit 110+ being just a beginner bike. But damn that last 5mph fight made me realize why liter bikes exist. Wind resistance destroys small bikes fast. Would I do it again? Yeah, totally – but maybe after adding bubble screen! Solid machine though – took the beating like a champ.
