As many have said, the issue isn't what it says on the sign, the issues are weather, road conditions, gravel, sand, traffic, how far into the curve (and past it) you can see, your skills, your tires, and I'm sure I missed some... use your head, there isn't any formula for it....

 

In Ohio, the yellow suggested speed limit signs are just that. The speed limit may be 55 with a suggested speed of 35 in a curve. The 35 mph suggested speed is not enforeable. We have a county road with a posted speed limit of 45 mph. It has two curves with a suggested speed limit of 45 mph. LOL

 

Here in NC it is the same ....suggested. If you wreck going around the curve in question you will then get a ticket for "going too fast for conditions". That would be for not agreeing with their suggestion. I don't trust the guy who put the sign up....I look at what is in front of me and do what feels right.

 

Ride how you feel comfortable, even if it is to take the corner "under" the speed limit. Don't be in a hurry, safety first. The more experience you get, it will be natural to want to take the twisties a little more aggressively. I love taking rides to the mountain resort areas here an California and usually feel comfortable cornering 10-15 over when traveling up the mountain. Coming down the mountain I slow it down about 5 mph. Our Sportsters corner very well,but I have seen crotch rockets passing me in the twisties going 20+ over the speed limit without much effort.

 

I am in my 4th riding season. Extreme twisty-turnies still get me. I am usually fine at the posted speed limit, sometimes 5 mph over, there MAY have been times it's been 10 over. I am not usually looking at the speedometer at that point - but as a matter of point when feeling that the leader of group we ride with tends to go too fast, I started taking notice of the speeds and often it was 15 mph over on twisty roads that were bumpy, and then I started to take notice of what I usually do when I am riding with hubby, who yes, has been riding longer, and SOMETIMES tends to go a little faster at times that I would care too on such roads, but I am O.K. with lagging behind him if I need to.

As it looks like most people are saying - ride with what you are comfortable with and can maintain proper control of the bike.

 

In general, I find those posted speeds to be totally useless. I just eyeball the curve. If I'm on a unfamiliar road, and the "suggested speed" is really low, like 10mph, those I usually pay a bit more attention.

 

Yeah and that seems to be what usually happens!

I wouldn't call ita rule of thumb, but usually If I glance at the speedo I'm doing about 10mph over the sign's suggestion.

 

I rarely pay much attention to the speedo when cornering. What i know is never cross the double yellow, don't get in the gravel and let your tires tell you what to do.Most important, keep your eyes open.&nbsp\\;You can feel the sweet spot if you exceed it you can sure feel that too. Let your pucker factor tell you what to do.

 

If you hit the sign.... You went too fast.&nbsp\\;

 

I don't think there is a safe generic speed but there is a safe generic technique. The Vanishing Point method. Go as fast as you can see the road surface to stop safely. Look as far into the turn along the road surface until it vanishes from view. Can you stop at that point? If not then you are going too fast to safely stop if something surprisingly lurks around the corner. Wet leaves, dead animals, live animals, stopped cars, fallen tree branches, rocks, trash bags or other debris.
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