Best Cruising Speed

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Best Cruising Speed

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Best Cruising Speed - 4/30/2008 12:34:49 PM

alwaysarider

Posts: 74
Joined: 8/1/2007
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Have a '80 Shovel 4 speed, which I believe is all stock as far as engine and tranny go. What is the best highway cruising speed so as to not overwork the engine, etc?

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RE: Best Cruising Speed - 4/30/2008 3:07:12 PM

silvergoldsmith

Posts: 1621
Joined: 12/23/2007
Status: online

In 25+ years I have not found any problem with doing 50-80mph for as long as needed. I do notice, when the m/c was newer and stock, that at a steady 50mph gave the best mpg. This machine has given 62.5mpg at that speed.

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RE: Best Cruising Speed - 4/30/2008 3:23:47 PM

alwaysarider

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Joined: 8/1/2007
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Good to know since I'll be hittin' the super slab this summer, a trip which I plan on about 3500 miles. Wo, 62 mpg... that's pretty awesome. My last trip, I think I was getting around 38-40 at an avg speed of about 60 mph.

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RE: Best Cruising Speed - 4/30/2008 3:41:33 PM

silvergoldsmith

Posts: 1621
Joined: 12/23/2007
Status: online

This m/c was like a rock averaging 48-50mpg until about 45k. When it started dropping I did a top end, cam, belt primary and much much more. The gas mileage has never been the same and the s/c steals even more.

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RE: Best Cruising Speed - 4/30/2008 7:58:40 PM

HogBack

Posts: 1078
Joined: 3/29/2006
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On my RK with a 88cu and 5 speed, I keep very accurate mileage. I get 45-47 runnin 70, 48-50 if I stay under 60. My 80cu shovel and 4 spped, like Silvergoldsmith said, get even better milage.

My shovel does have a 22 front and 48 rear sproket, so it runs higher than stock gears, but is very happy at 60-65 and gets 51mpg. I use more for in town, short road runs.

Bottomline, IMO feel your bike...where the harmonics (vibration) is the least. Even if the mileage is not as good, your motor will be much happier and be kinder to you if you run it where it like to be.... IMO each motor may vary, but look in your mirrors, etc, My sporty, also bolted to the frame like the shovel, did not seem to be happy at any rpm, where both my 86 FLHTC and this shovel have a happy rpm...

Good Luck

Hogback

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RE: Best Cruising Speed - 4/30/2008 8:05:27 PM

badinfluence63

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Joined: 11/8/2007
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I have a 1983 FL and its had one top end and I avg 60MPH on the highway. Can go 70. Likes cool weather more then hot. Seems to run tighter when its cooler out.

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RE: Best Cruising Speed - 5/1/2008 3:14:31 AM

jpooch00

Posts: 345
Joined: 6/27/2007
Status: online

My '82 FXE loves 55. Smooths out again at about 65. Seems to get about 60 MPG regardless of speed or temp.

Ride safe and good luck on your trip.

John

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RE: Best Cruising Speed - 5/1/2008 6:29:09 AM

Rodney

Posts: 689
Joined: 5/23/2007
From: Central Oregon
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: HogBack

Bottom line, IMO feel your bike...where the harmonics (vibration) is the least. Even if the mileage is not as good, your motor will be much happier and be kinder to you if you run it where it like to be.... IMO each motor may vary, but look in your mirrors, etc, My sporty, also bolted to the frame like the shovel, did not seem to be happy at any rpm, where both my 86 FLHTC and this shovel have a happy rpm...
Good Luck
Hogback

Thats how!!

The conditions while riding will also be a factor, wind, temperature, how heavily your packed down, quality of fuel and elevation.

my shovel would run all day long on the flats @ 65 to 70, this was the sweet spot if everything else was optimum conditions.
The little I've ran my stroked shovel I can tell its going to want to run 70, this is when it smooths out. Wish the roads around here were better.