Dyna Glide Models Super Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

optimal rpms?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 29, 2016 | 12:38 AM
  #1  
offbeatmammal's Avatar
offbeatmammal
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 73
Likes: 6
From: Redmond, WA
Question optimal rpms?

I seem to spend most of the time on my 05 FXDLi (88cu, 5 speed) fairly low in the rev range - around 2-3k. Anyone got any pointers for optimal rpm/speed bands to minimize rattle, keep noise down, and look after the engine.

I came to the v-twin world from high-revving sportbikes and still find judging the noise/revs to be an interesting exercise ... am I running too low, will it be happier if I run it higher?
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2016 | 07:26 AM
  #2  
cvaria's Avatar
cvaria
Supporter
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 2,215
From: Tallahassee, Florida
Supporter
Default

Originally Posted by offbeatmammal
I seem to spend most of the time on my 05 FXDLi (88cu, 5 speed) fairly low in the rev range - around 2-3k. Anyone got any pointers for optimal rpm/speed bands to minimize rattle, keep noise down, and look after the engine.

I came to the v-twin world from high-revving sportbikes and still find judging the noise/revs to be an interesting exercise ... am I running too low, will it be happier if I run it higher?
trust your butt. 2-3k is nearly lugging the engine. these bikes are loud, make mechanical noises

owners manual:
https://www.harley-davidson.com/en_U...na/file-6.comp

to get to different parts of the manual, modify the "file-[x].comp" portion of the address. the [x] is the chapter, there are 14 total.

e.g. chapter 6 = file-6.comp


i'm sure someone has an rpm chart, i can't locate one
 

Last edited by cvaria; Oct 29, 2016 at 08:58 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2016 | 09:41 AM
  #3  
Just Nick's Avatar
Just Nick
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 232
Likes: 59
From: Round Rock TX
Default

above 3k is where the motor will be happiest
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2016 | 09:43 AM
  #4  
Whtwolf14's Avatar
Whtwolf14
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 853
Likes: 48
From: Virginia
Default

My Dyna likes being run at cruising speed, butt dyno, between 27-30k. I rarely hit 6th gear where I ride, that's in 5th
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2016 | 09:49 AM
  #5  
TriGeezer's Avatar
TriGeezer
Seasoned HDF Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,027
From: Carlsbad, CA
Default

Originally Posted by Whtwolf14
My Dyna likes being run at cruising speed, butt dyno, between 27-30k. I rarely hit 6th gear where I ride, that's in 5th
Damn!! Them r some serious revs!!
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2016 | 12:08 PM
  #6  
nevil's Avatar
nevil
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,278
Likes: 1,138
From: southeast PA
Default

Most of the rpm's I log are between 2500 and 4000. With more than the occasional visit well above that!
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2016 | 12:27 PM
  #7  
offbeatmammal's Avatar
offbeatmammal
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 73
Likes: 6
From: Redmond, WA
Default

time to turn up the noise a bit
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2016 | 01:27 PM
  #8  
Greezey Rider's Avatar
Greezey Rider
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 2,500
From: Tennessee
Default

I prefer to keep it well above 3000...
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 29, 2016 | 01:49 PM
  #9  
Uncle Sam's Avatar
Uncle Sam
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 148
Likes: 9
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Default

Originally Posted by offbeatmammal
I seem to spend most of the time on my 05 FXDLi (88cu, 5 speed) fairly low in the rev range - around 2-3k. Anyone got any pointers for optimal rpm/speed bands to minimize rattle, keep noise down, and look after the engine.

I came to the v-twin world from high-revving sportbikes and still find judging the noise/revs to be an interesting exercise ... am I running too low, will it be happier if I run it higher?
I usually like to ride around town right at 3,000 rpm. it keeps you on the power and torque while not lugging the engine. Even though big twins do not seem "happy" being revved, higher in the RPM range, I just ignor it and beat the he'll out of my bike... and she likes it.
 
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2016 | 02:18 PM
  #10  
Jackie Paper's Avatar
Jackie Paper
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,295
Likes: 6,322
From: Honah Lee
Default

2-3 k works fine for me. I shift 2500 or so. I can ride down to 1700 or so. Same 88TCb with 5 speed. Mine seems a bit rough at 4K and above. It will last forever at that. It's pretty level here and maximum HP at sea level. Usually, coming off 1700 is very easy on throttle or I drop a gear. I have no problem being in 5th over 45mph
 

Last edited by Jackie Paper; Oct 29, 2016 at 02:20 PM.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:28 AM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE