US spec speed restriction?

[Silk]

Is the US spec XS1100 restricted to 85mph as indicated on speedo ?

[Snow]

Some are, I'm not sure which models though. The '78 and '79 Standards I am pretty sure did not stop at 85 mph.

[mitch]

Nope

Bikes speed was not restricted just the speedo wouldnt register past thatmost cars of that era were also only registered to 85mph, God knows whos bright idea that was......MITCH

[MartyA]

Back in 73, there was a "gas shortage" and a lot of effort was suddenly put forth to improve gas mileage and develop less reliance on 'foreign oil.' Most of the initial efforts were towards making lower powered cars, running too lean. Some thought lowering the speed limits to 55 on US highways was also a step towards saving gas. The story goes that since cars would never go above 55, there was no sense having 120 MPH or higher speedometers. There was also some rumor about the US Gummint passing laws enforcing the lower speed limits with governors and would include 85 MPH speedometers. The story also goes that in anticipation of these laws being passed one of the big 3 placed an order with one of its suppliers for jillions of speedometers with 85 as the maximum. Not to be outdone, the other 2 followed suit. Fortunately none of these laws regarding the governors and 85 MPH speedometers actually passed, but orders had been entered, tooling and manufacturing processes had been changed, and speedos were being shipped. There were no real vocal outcries, a bazillion cars suddenly had 85 MPH speedos, so they stayed for a while. After all, the national speed limit was 55 MPH at the time. And the overwhelming thought at the time was that it was the law. But no actual law had ever been passed to mandate 85 MPH speedometers in cars, they just became habit.

Well, that is what I remember about it from the late 70's.

[Shuriken]

Don't worry about the 85mph speedometer. An XS redlined in 3rd gear should peg the needle. The remaining 2 gears are just for breaking it.

[Tom Andersen]

Joan Claybrook with the Jimmy Carter bunch is the one to thank for this stupid idea.

[Wayne]

I know my 81 Tourer would go well over 85. Often thought about getting an older speedo with higher mph on it but never did.