Rpm
Rpm
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,306
Likes: 2,443
From: Eastern NE
Anytime your bike/motor "chugs" like a diesel engine...it's lugging. Depends on what gear you're in & speed you're cruz'n. For me it's mostly sound/feel & you'll definitely know when the engine's lugging.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,219
Likes: 7,786
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
*Are you riding solo or 2-up?
*Incline?
*Headwind?
*Even the particular gas you just put in your tank. Yesterday I was out for a whole day ride with my wife on the back....we were out in the country...came up on a no-name gas station when I needed it..had horrible gas, my engine was lugging and running like **** and I found for going up hills I was having to keep the revs up a lot more than usual.
With time, you'll learn where your engine is happy.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
Yup! There's no magic number to look for if you have a tach, use your body to "feel" the bike, and use your ears. Because it's a different answer based on a lot of variables.
*Are you riding solo or 2-up?
*Incline?
*Headwind?
*Even the particular gas you just put in your tank. Yesterday I was out for a whole day ride with my wife on the back....we were out in the country...came up on a no-name gas station when I needed it..had horrible gas, my engine was lugging and running like **** and I found for going up hills I was having to keep the revs up a lot more than usual.
With time, you'll learn where your engine is happy.
*Are you riding solo or 2-up?
*Incline?
*Headwind?
*Even the particular gas you just put in your tank. Yesterday I was out for a whole day ride with my wife on the back....we were out in the country...came up on a no-name gas station when I needed it..had horrible gas, my engine was lugging and running like **** and I found for going up hills I was having to keep the revs up a lot more than usual.
With time, you'll learn where your engine is happy.
Aptly put!
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: western mass.
If I let her go down to 2200 She is on the boarder line. 2500 to 2800 and I'm well safe of it lugging.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, TX
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
As others stated, it depends on the gear.
It is much easier for the motor to gain speed in a lower gear. The gear ratio does the hard work.
Let's say in 1st you have a ratio of 5:1 much easier to twist the wick and go from 1500 RPM to 3000
Try that in 3rd or higher and it is very hard on the motor where you have let's say a 2:1 ratio. The motor cannot rev up as easily and you overwork the engine, and can possibly cause damage.
You will also find she runs much smoother in the 2500-3000 range than she does below 2200, at least for most stock motors.
It is also much less efficient at those lower RPM's and will most likely get worse gas mileage as well.
It is much easier for the motor to gain speed in a lower gear. The gear ratio does the hard work.
Let's say in 1st you have a ratio of 5:1 much easier to twist the wick and go from 1500 RPM to 3000
Try that in 3rd or higher and it is very hard on the motor where you have let's say a 2:1 ratio. The motor cannot rev up as easily and you overwork the engine, and can possibly cause damage.
You will also find she runs much smoother in the 2500-3000 range than she does below 2200, at least for most stock motors.
It is also much less efficient at those lower RPM's and will most likely get worse gas mileage as well.
