Lower revs for mileage, or higher RPMs for engine friendliness?

There are a couple of roads I use pretty frequently where I'll go up to two miles without a stop sign or signal light, where the speed limit is either 35 or 45.

At 35, I can be in one gear at 2200 RPMs, or drop down a gear and cruise at 2800. Basically the same thing at 45mph, only it's closer to 2500vs 3200.

Which is better for the bike? I don't want to lug the engine, but these roads are (mostly) flat, and riding at a steady speed at 3000+ RPMs the bike just doesn't sound as happy.

It's a 99 Dyna, TC88 stock motor if that matters.

 

I didn't vote because none of the answers work for me. The bottom line is running your bike at 2200 is not going to lug it unless you crack the throttle or somehow put strain on the motor at that RPM range. Just putting down a flat or downhill road - no problem. I usually do this for sound issues: going through a quiet neighborhood, or just to make it sound a bit more like an old classic Harley.

Another point: Actually your best fuel mileage comes at the peak of your Torque curve. That is where your motor is most efficient. On my bike that goes from 3200-4200 RPM. I think Stock it was a bit lower, like 2800-3800, something like that.

Steve

 

I cannot deal with the vibrations I am getting through the pegs, so I keep it at a higher rpm to be more comfortable. 6th gear is rarely, if at all used. Around town the highest gear I'm in is 4th and I'm going about 50-60mph comfortably.

 

I agree with Steve