2005 ultra,,88ci,stock,,
what is the right rpm range to keep from (lugging) the engine? some say 2500-3500 rpm,, but some say 3000-3800,, also what is a good shift rpm (just cruising) to get the best milage,, mine gets 41 city, 46 on the road,, is this good for a harley,,.
sorry for the stupid ???'s but first harley for me,
thanks mike

 

Just keep it over 2500 as a general rule, ( and quit over thinking it!)

 

45mpg hwy on ethynol fuel is about avg, 48-49mpg on pure gas premium is avg. You add about 1-2 mpg if same model year E/glide with batwing fairing.

 

Your mileage looks good for a stock '05 88 ci. Just keep doing what you're doing. The 88 will take lower RPM's without lugging than the 96 or the 103. I rode police Road Kings for years with the stock 88 ci.

Don't be too quick to modify that engine. Our RK's were pretty bullet proof, and they took a lot of abuse. My previous bike, an '04 EGU, had a lot of mods to the engine done by the first owner. I thought about taking it back down to stock to improve driveability and reliability, but in the end it was better financially to buy a new '12 RGU (which WILL remain stock, BTW).

One other advantage of keeping it stock is that when it comes time to sell it prospective buyers prefer a stock bike.

Ride safe!

 

well thanks pgh,, stock,, well it has slip ons and a stage one air cleaner,, but that is it,, i like it just the way it is,,. and i blacked out the exhaust,,

 

I have a bone 06' 5 speed, like you and only have air cleaner and slip-ons, and can run fourth or fifth at 2000-2200 rpm on the flats without lugging. I don't accelerate from there however. When getting on it good, I try to start at 2500+ I have as of yet to find the lug point. I haven't deliberately looked for that lug point, and will not. Enjoy the ride, cause like they say, "If You Ain't Gliding, You Ain't Riding". Oh and welcome to the board!
My $0.02


aka Bob

ps. Gas millage is good too! Keep doing what your doing. Mine is about the same, unless I get to playing hard, then it might go as low as 36 mpg.

 

I averaged 42mpg with my 02 Ultra. There is a big difference in where you live also. Noticed this on a trip lately from SLC to Canton,Oh with a truck. Running 75 with the cruise in high altitudes I was getting 18.5 running 85 octane gas. Once I started hitting the lower altitudes it dropped down to 17.5. Denser air would be my guess.

 

Use the gear that requires less throttle to maintain the desired speed.

 

I found my mileage increases if I rev the engine higher while shifting and I keep it in 5th gear until I achieve 75 MPH sustained speed before shifting into 6th. It also helps keep the carbon from building up know to cause pinging.
When you say keep the bike stock, does that mean no slip ons or doing anything with the air filter etc just curious?

 

Ride it by sound and feel, stop worrying too much about numbers. You'll know when to shift up or down by the feel and sound of the bike.