Apocalypse,

Congrats on your new bike and welcome to the forum. I'm sure as you've already gathered lugging is BAD for the motor so no need to repeat that again. I keep my bike at about 2500-3000 rpm and it seems to like this range best for general cruising.

 

Mama is currently learning to ride and she is on an 08 883L and I am on an RC. I find myself having to go much slower than my FLH wants to be going and it lets me know by lugging. i am constantly bouncing back and forth between 2nd and 3rd trying to keep my rpm's up while maintaining a beginners level speed.. As mentiond, the RC don't like it and she lets me know it by lugging.
And Mama, I know you are lurking so I want to mention that you are doing very well and I am proud of you and proud to ride with you.

 

WFO - then you have "NO WORRY" whether you are luggin' or not. HEHEHEHE
It is 'my' belief, having ridden 6 spd (behind a 124" ), and riding with ppl with 'new' Harleys, that the vast majority of riders, shift into 6th too soon. Run it up, doesn't hurt, in fact is better.
And in this vein, some guys really like it when their motor 'lopes' at idle, just as bad or worse than lugging it. The flywheels can shift, "outta balance" big time. Can you say, "Shake, rattle, and roll"?
Sounds 'cool' when you idle it down, but hard on it.

 

You big lug!

 

Over revving puts the valves and exhaust up against a lot of heat.
You also runo off the standard running parameters of the engine.
But, done for a short time, won't do much harm. It's also negative on consumption, obviously.
Lugging, as you said, lets you "feel the torque". Well, the engine feels it as well!
Lugging puts a lot of stress on the internals, it wears the bearings and requires a lot of fuel to obtain a modest acceleration.
It's always best to drop a gear (or two) pulling up the revs before letting the clutch go so you have a smooth transition, and then accelerate from the optimal revs.
The engine will last much longer, and you'll use less fuel.
Moreover, extreme lugging will produce pinging which is the worst possible condition for your engine. If you ever hear a sound like a fork against a wine glass, immediately roll off the throttle.

 

Okay..., think I have a hunch now, telling methat lugging the engine is a bad thing to do...

Do someone have recommendations on tachos? Maybe a good site on the Internet to buy from? Is it possible to get a small "hide away" type that doesn't ruin the looks of the bike?

 

"doesn't ruin the looks of the bike?"...my tach is very insulted!

 

It wasn't my intention to insult anyone, or anything for that matter...

What I meant was, that I don't think it would look good on my bike... I like to keep it simple...

 

Oh..., bad news again... I'm one of those guys who really like it when my motor is set so low at idle, that it almost goes out for each rev. Hmm..., I realize that I have to change habits real soon then..., or change the engine if not...!!!