Black on tach is for Harley and red is for me. I hate that 6200 wall! These Rinehearts love to make noise from 3500 all the way to 6200.

 

This would put most of my riding around town at 45mph in 3rd gear. Just can't see it.

 

My '08 loves 2500-3000 for cruzin'. Passing I've put it up to 3500, but never needed more than that. On interstate, shift to 6th gear at about 70 mph, shift down to 5th for passing, if needed. Gas mileage seems to be best at about 2800 rpm. Last summer when I paid as much as $4.29 a gallon, I discovered the mpg sweetspot. :-)

 

At 3000 RPM my 09 Ultra in 6 th gear is right on 80 mph.

 

When loafing along, I don't mind running 2000-2500 rpm in an appropriate gear. A while back, on a trip to Phoenix, I passed a motorhome. When I pulled out from behind him, I saw a vehicle heading toward me at a high speed. Dropping into fourth, I easily accelerated the Ultra to 90 mph, and made the pass.

I do like to hit it on a long on ramp. I usually shift at 5000 when I am doing this. Plenty of power in the rpm range for whatever purpose you need it for.

 

No tach and don't need one. I ride by feel and with my ears. If I can tell she's lugging, I down shift. If I want to make a power move from going slow to moving fast, I drop a gear or two as needed. If I am trying to move fast, I let the seat of my pants tell me when to upshift. As long as she's pulling, I hold out for the next gear. Sure, you might hit the rev limiter every rare occassion. No big deal. It won't hurt it.....I pretty much thought anyone that operates a manual shift vehicle did the same thing.

 

Never had mine over 3,200. My Ultra's sweet at 2,800 at all times even at 6th gear going at 70. Not hardcore at throttle as I just love cruizin' and let others fly by me.

 

I have a 5 speed, I shift at or around 3K and run it on the highway 75 - 80 at 3200 - 3300rpm.

 

Very interesting thread. My 4 mile commute to the office is all 30mph. I usually run 3rd gear and am at 2000 rpm. I think I'll wake some people up this morning (as soon as I get out of my neighborhhod).

 

I try to always stay above 3000 RPM. I like to be able to react quickly if I need to move.