I just completed a 1800 mile ride through the northwest mountains. I purposely played around with the rpm' sin all types of riding conditions. It is clear to me that this 2009 ultra feels, responds, and performs the best in the 3000-3200 rpm range. The whole bike from the engine noise to the shift feel of the transmission is 100% better at 3000 rpm compared to 2500 rpm. It was a quick trip in that I did 3- 600 mile days taking 11.5-13 hrs days. When you travel alone you can put riding days like that in.

 

It all depends on what cam you've got in the bottom end that defines the motors sweet spot. What works for you may not be what someone else desires in their bike.

 

Good point. My bike is basically stock. I have kn AC and a set of XIED's

 

Uh ok.

 

It took you 11.5 - 13 hours a day for three days to go 600 miles ? That's only 200 miles a day going 60 MPH you could have hit 200 miles a day in less than 4 hours and covered all 600 miles in about 13 hours with minimal stop time. Did you never leave town ?

 

Bottom Line: Never lug your engine.


Prefer riding at 2,500 to 3,000 RPM as I own the same bike as you have.


Thorey

 

For me on my 2015 Limited just below 3000 rpm worked best. At 3000 or better my gas mileage drooped to 50 miles less a tank per fill up. I was going from Pa. to Fl. First day I did about 750 miles. So if I set the cruse at 78 mph it run at about 2900 rpms and 50 miles more tank, So when you think about it one less stop you know on them stops they never goes fast, me gas, cold beer,and a ****. So keeping at 78 mph, 2900 rpm I made better time.

 

Read what the OP said again. He said he went 1800 miles in 3 days, 600 miles a day.

 

One more reason why I prefer my Evo. Anything over 1800 RPM works fine for it. These new motors have to be revved like a metric bike.

 

Riding my bike at 3000 rpms, it sounds like I need to shift. I don't consider riding at 2,000-2200 rpm, "lugging" an engine. They're torque monsters. Mine feels and sounds just right at those rpms.