View Poll Results: In-Town "Cruising" RPMs - Rumble or Whine?
Keep the RPM as low as possible - better mileage and cool rumble
7
63.64%
Rap it out - the motor LIKES to scream, and the oil flows better at high RPMs
2
18.18%
Choose a different road; one that allows you to shift frequently
0
0%
Why are you pying attention to speed limits on a straight level road?
2
18.18%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll
In-town RPMs?
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 31
In-town RPMs?
Lower revs for mileage, or higher RPMs for engine friendliness?
There are a couple of roads I use pretty frequently where I'll go up to two miles without a stop sign or signal light, where the speed limit is either 35 or 45.
At 35, I can be in one gear at 2200 RPMs, or drop down a gear and cruise at 2800. Basically the same thing at 45mph, only it's closer to 2500vs 3200.
Which is better for the bike? I don't want to lug the engine, but these roads are (mostly) flat, and riding at a steady speed at 3000+ RPMs the bike just doesn't sound as happy.
It's a 99 Dyna, TC88 stock motor if that matters.
There are a couple of roads I use pretty frequently where I'll go up to two miles without a stop sign or signal light, where the speed limit is either 35 or 45.
At 35, I can be in one gear at 2200 RPMs, or drop down a gear and cruise at 2800. Basically the same thing at 45mph, only it's closer to 2500vs 3200.
Which is better for the bike? I don't want to lug the engine, but these roads are (mostly) flat, and riding at a steady speed at 3000+ RPMs the bike just doesn't sound as happy.
It's a 99 Dyna, TC88 stock motor if that matters.
Last edited by JHL-ShinySideUp; May 24, 2011 at 12:17 PM. Reason: 300 RPMs would REALLY be lugging it!
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
From: Yakima, WA
I didn't vote because none of the answers work for me. The bottom line is running your bike at 2200 is not going to lug it unless you crack the throttle or somehow put strain on the motor at that RPM range. Just putting down a flat or downhill road - no problem. I usually do this for sound issues: going through a quiet neighborhood, or just to make it sound a bit more like an old classic Harley.
Another point: Actually your best fuel mileage comes at the peak of your Torque curve. That is where your motor is most efficient. On my bike that goes from 3200-4200 RPM. I think Stock it was a bit lower, like 2800-3800, something like that.
Steve
Another point: Actually your best fuel mileage comes at the peak of your Torque curve. That is where your motor is most efficient. On my bike that goes from 3200-4200 RPM. I think Stock it was a bit lower, like 2800-3800, something like that.
Steve
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 631
From: NorCal Rocklin
I cannot deal with the vibrations I am getting through the pegs, so I keep it at a higher rpm to be more comfortable. 6th gear is rarely, if at all used. Around town the highest gear I'm in is 4th and I'm going about 50-60mph comfortably.
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