I had bad luck with the tach I bought. Apperently it was a cheapo that the needle would flutter and was hard to read. Rather than buy another one, I tried a shift lite instead. I'm big into experimenting. I've stumbled on to some great stuff that way.

Turned out to be a very good trade-off. I really like it.

Nothing against tachs, Every bike should come with one from the factory.

 

Boy I will tell ya nothing gets by HDF members..

 

Where's the pic Ed? What exactly is it you have there?

 

I used to use one of those label makers and put a label on my tach that said "Bang!" at roughly the redline . . . subtle message to self . . . shift before here or it's gonna cost a $hit load of $ so I sorta gotta agree with the whole $hit point being at some specific RPM . . . one way or another . . .

 

I try not to let my rpms go below 2200-2300, unless the clutch is pulled in, as far as where I shift at, I dunno,...it all depends on how and where I am riding. If aggressive probably around 5500-6000, normal cruising about 3500, cop beside or behind me about 3000.

 

Accelleration depends how hard you want it.Cruise rpm's depends on what makes you comfortable.Good maintainance will keep your bike running for a very long time.

 

Ok, I admit it. I'm a chugger. Normal riding for me is in the 1500-3000 rpm range. Geez, if I wanted to be ringing it out all the time I'd a bought a crotch rocket. That's me, just chugging along.....long live... po-ta-to.....po-ta-to......

 

I was taught that you get piston slap regardless of wether or not you hear it - despite the shortness of the skirts there is some juggling in there at very low revs. I had to rebuild the upper ends on our dirtbikes every 40 hours of riding and we saw a lot of it when we rode enduros - not so much when in the open and screaming a lot.
But perhaps you're right - maybe the newer Hog tolerances are so tight that the piston can't jiggle; I can't say for sure, but it's hell on the cylinders if it does. Time to talk to some hog mechanics.

 

 

I **** at 5000 once. I thought they were going to declare an emergency and land.