Good thread. I don't have a RPM gauge and have to do it all by feel and sound. So while some of this is common sense, it's also good to have it explained and read everyone's input. Thanks.

 

Great thread. Still not quite sure how to treat these v-twins. My last bike was about 6500 rpms, but then again, it topped out at 15.5K rpms but you could definitely feel where you were supposed to be on those inline 4's... about 1/2 to red line was the cruise point.

 

Here are quotes as to not muddy the waters, these came from S&S Cycle. At least in my opinion, there is no higher authority.

"S&S Cycle, Inc. Luggin your motor does more damage than you think. Riding below 2,800rpm is lugging, in any gear at anytime. Just because you have a 6th gear, does not mean you need to use it. Be a wise rider, shift when you need to, don't be lazy."

In response to what would be to0 high of an RPM:

"S&S Cycle, Inc. too high? that would depend on your motor design over all.I'd like to see 6250 once in a while, but i don't stay there. Constant, ride all day at 2,800/3,500 long live the motor. you could ride at 4,000 i guess but that might shake things apart on your bike, but not hurt the motor, as much as lugging it would."

"S&S Cycle, Inc. I don't believe it does say this in manuals, hence why I feel it is important to share this with American V-Twin Owners. Your motor loves the 3,000 rpm range, anything below you start to enter the unbalanced lugging area. depending on stroke, pistons, compression. But any and all V-Twins I have ridden or operated have always loved the 3,000 range. It's something I have always felt and I have seen testing to prove it."

And:

"S&S Cycle, Inc. in town driving is not the same as Highway driving, (which is where the most damage can be done). the occasionally town ridding, i can see and would accept the 2,000/2,500 rpm. It's the highway pulling the big gears, lugging that is so damaging. the amount of time spent at this RPM while lugging the motor is the smoking gun, so to speak."

 

Good post OP. I have learned a lot. Sounds like I need to crank it up a bit. Thanks

 

It was easy to feel when HD's had chain drive's and dual fire waisted spark coils and low RPMS you were cruising the local drive inn and you looked like you were shaking your head "YES" all the way around the parking lot. You felt the lugging! Now these things are so smooth I only feel lugging when riding mountain twists in SC, NC, and GA. before downshifting.

 

2010 SG with 40k always ride around 2700 to 3200. Eng runs strong. Do the same on my 2014 ULTRA LIMITED

 

You answered your own question:

"...lugging is when you crack the throttle a little and the engine does not respond with an immediate increase in rpm/speed, regardless of what RPM you are turning"

 

On a touring bike anything below 2000 in 3rd gear and above imo. If u wait till the bike shakes u are beating hell out of the drive train. It should run smoothly and effortlessly in all gears. U can tell by sound and the way the bike picks up that first second after u apply throttle. Why would u want to lug anyway! !?? One more mpg?????

 

How old is that s&s article? Highway in 6th....2300rpm and the bike picks right up to pass. No lugging. 110 ultra.

 

2500-3000 rpm is where I generally ride. Below 2000 rpm under load I can feel that it's lugging.