Here's the question.. Your cruising at 55 mph holding steady. Are you in 4th gear at 2800-2950 rpm or are you at 5th gear 2350-2500 rpm.

 

That depends on the terrain and the wind direction.

 

Oh s****.................is this a trick question?

 

6th gear at 2000 rpm.

 

5th @55

 

5th if on cruise, if not could be 4th all the way to 3000 rpm's

 

some old fart once said "I can't drive 55"

 

For me, it depends on a few things. I ride to work every morning on a stretch of highway that is 55 MPH. I have about a mile to get the bike warmed up before I hit the 55 zone which is not nearly enough, even after a 3-5 miute idle after start up.

I did some testing this weekend and found that if the motor was fully warmed up (215-220 oil temp) I got the best response and fuel mileage by running around 2700-2800 RPM. However, when the motor is cold MPG went WAY down and so does performance.

I found it is better for me to try and stay around 2400-2500 until oil temps are 200 or so.

Optimal RPM will be dependent on many things....cams, engine size, compression, temperature...etc.

 

08 sounds best @55 in fifth gear

 

Anything over 55 and I'm in 6th.