I know you aren't supposed to "lug" the bike, and even the owner's manual warns against it.
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But DANG IT.....it's just WAY too easy to scoot around side roads and not down-shift.&nbsp\\; My new Deluxe just lopes along under mild throttle settings and doesn't complain a bit.&nbsp\\; I know that it is a NO-NO to lug it up a grade or hill, but does it really hurt it to let it lope along on flat ground at 35mph in 4th gear?
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Secondly......I'm getting an occassional POP on decel at higher rpms.&nbsp\\; Is this normal for the '08s?

 

&nbsp\\;3rd would be better, but just loafing shouldn't hurt much.&nbsp\\;Should not pop if stock on decel.
Ron

 

If this is a brand new bike you need to change the rpms up and down. If you lope around a new engine the piston rings might not seal well and glaze. That's my understanding any way.
+1 on the 3rd gear would be better.

 

If you just started riding this new bike just wait til&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;you go riding with others that go EXACTLY 60MPH. Seems too fast for 5th and too slow for 6th.[:@]
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jim

 

Gotta say 55-60 mph in 5th is the sweet spot for me.

35mph in 4th with the 6 spd.... your asking for trouble down the road. The load is way too high for that gearing.

 

Really hard on the transmission more than anything else, dont lug it. Its not cool.

 

Thanks for all the replies.
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I'll try to keep the revs up a little higher.&nbsp\\; But it's just so smooooooooth that it's easy to let them fall below the recommendations.

 

Something to think about, although I've not been able to prove it yet, is fuel dilution. A pattern I'm seeing is that those who lug their engines tend to see higher levels of fuel dilution in the oil. I believe it's caused by dumping more fuel than the engine can burn, forcing it into the oil. That's not good, so you might try to avoid that. FWIW.
Frank

 

Always use a lower gear thats what they are for. You are asking for trouble if you continually lug any engine.......