Keep from lugging the engine...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
you mos def rev too low! run around with at least 3000 and shift at 4200 to 5ooo- no less
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 253
Likes: 1
From: Vermont
My 2011 Wg. with stock 96" and big radius 2 into 2 pipes and a big suck just loves it at 3 Grand. I think it would all but chock and stall at 2 grand unless I bottle fend it back up or grabbed a gear . I'm thinking its my pipes ? Have I lost that much low end ? I drive around in second gear around town. Sixth gear just lugs below 80mph. I'm going to do the 30t mod and try that.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 2
From: Cali
normally in the 2500-3500 range. if im below 2000rpm im gliding to a stop. below 2500 used be choppy till i remapped the bike.
1800 rpm in 6th is something like 45mph. way too low to get any kind of decent throttle response if needed.
1800 rpm in 6th is something like 45mph. way too low to get any kind of decent throttle response if needed.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 133
From: TEXAS
My 2011 Wg. with stock 96" and big radius 2 into 2 pipes and a big suck just loves it at 3 Grand. I think it would all but chock and stall at 2 grand unless I bottle fend it back up or grabbed a gear . I'm thinking its my pipes ? Have I lost that much low end ? I drive around in second gear around town. Sixth gear just lugs below 80mph. I'm going to do the 30t mod and try that.
THE 30T IS AWSOME
you will like it, makes 6th more usable but you can still hotrod around in 5th for "spirited" riding
6th to me is for settling in for a cruise over 75 and that is with the 30t
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 7
From: SE Illinois
I see a lot of comments about people running at higher rpms, and where each bike's sweet spot is at....a lot of that is determined with what cams, pipe & tune you have.
I read a lot of people not being able to use 6th until like over 75...I don't have that problem. With my setup, 6th is usable from 60 up easily. This is why I chose low-mid rpm cams. All depends on where you want your power & where you ride.
OP...you have the SE255 cams, which are definitely a low rpm grunt cam so you can get away with lower rpms. Still recommend keeping it above 2,000.
I read a lot of people not being able to use 6th until like over 75...I don't have that problem. With my setup, 6th is usable from 60 up easily. This is why I chose low-mid rpm cams. All depends on where you want your power & where you ride.
OP...you have the SE255 cams, which are definitely a low rpm grunt cam so you can get away with lower rpms. Still recommend keeping it above 2,000.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,114
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver B.C. Canada
Damn right! Most ppl upshift at low rpm, hit 5th gear at 60mph(usually 3rd gear for me lol). Those are lugging the motor! 
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 2
From: Southern California
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 8
From: Louisiana
I usually cruise between 2800-3400. That's where it feels the best to me. Its not reving too high but it still has snap when I want to get away from knuckle heads. Lets people hear me if I happen to be in their blind spot too.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 539
Likes: 5
From: Harleyland, USA
I can't believe some of the high rpm's I'm reading here. If I wanted a high revving motor I would go back to an overhead cam triple or four. Always shift above 4,200 on a bike with a redline of 5,500? That's ridiculous unless you really really need to diet. I often cruise my 88" at 2,000-2,500 in 5th which is 55-65mph and no that's not lugging the engine if it's not under load. I downshift appropriately for hills and don't go below 2,000 unless I'm coasting. Do these people mentioning these high rpm's have tach's on their bikes or are they guessing? I guess I also should mention that I'm riding a carbed bike so I'm running richer than EFI bikes.