Having ridden sport bikes for most of my riding life I am wondering what is a good RPM to ride at without lugging the engine. Sport bikes really don't make any decent torque until about 6000rpm soit was normalto be in the 8-12k rpm range when riding. Of course thats going at a good clip.

Being new to the Harley culture, I'm riding at a more sedate pace and I was wondering what RPM most people cruise at. I know the big twin makes a lot of torque low down in the RPM band. If I keep it around 3000rpm I get good throttle response and power to accellerate but I'm thinking if I keep it around 2000rpm I'll get better gas mileage. I don't want to be lugging the engine.

Just looking for some advice from the more knowledgeable riders.

Thanks,
Willie

 

2500k

 

I cruise between 2,500 and 3,000. Go above 3,000 when I want to make sure I have really good throttle response, but cruising the interstate at 75 mph is about 2,800 rpm and running real smooth.

 

I agree with the others, around 2500 rpm is good around 60-65 mph 5th gear, and 2800-3000 in 6th at 70-75 in 6th.

 

Go out an ride the bike like you don't have tach. Listen to the engine it will tell you were it is most comfortable. I rode a Hertitage for years, no tach, just a feel.

Your motor will not feel at all smooth or give you a feeling of having a power reserve if you let the RPM's get to a point where the gearing is not working with the bike.

Lower RPM's do not necessarly mean economy. Too low and you lug the engine, bad things happen to engines that get lugged down as a matter of routine.

As the group says, you'll find 2500 a good point to be at. Stay out of your high gear, either 5th on a 5 speed or 6th on a six speed if it takes tha motor below that range.

 

agree, 2.5k

 

Below 2500 it starts tofeels like it's lugging. So I end up staying between 2500to 3000 rpm's.

 

Ditto on the 2.5-3 range!

 

2200 - 6500