You know they actually sell motorcycles without tachometers, right?

Sound/feel. If you can't, you're doing it wrong.

 

I looked at my tack today on my 2009 RK
6th @ 50 mph its about 2k
6th @ 55 mph about 2,200
5th @ 55 mph about 2,500

 

It would be humorous to see how clueless he could manage to appear on this subject.

 

I don't have a tach but definitely can tell when I'm lugging my motor,your not lugging in 6th gear at 3k. I run high on my rpm most of the time in traffic so I can make a move if I have to. Never in a low rpm situation.

 

I realize it's a slightly different animal but, as a v-twin, it's worth noting. My S&S motor has specific instructions regarding the preferred rpm range which is 2750-3250rpm. Sustained running below that range is not recommended. I would expect HD to be slightly different but, sustained running at 2000rpm is very low.

 

I believe it. I had carbon buildup issue on the front cylinder. Because of the nature of the bike (torquey V-twin) I probably shift too soon (like 3500 RPM) and I don't often "blow the carbon out" like my Grandpa used to say needed to happen. I would think running low RPMs a lot would contribute to carbon build up.

 

Exactly. Remember as a kid taking off in a high gear you had to stand to get the peddles going. Hard on your legs is kind of how your crank feels.

 

In hills and passing I keep it over 3k.

Between 2500 and 3000 is fine for cruising. In Cali I need to be doing 80 on the highway to keep from getting ran over so 3K or higher in 6th is where I’m usually at.

My Cams pull great from around 2400 up. I have no issues lugging as long as I keep it above 2800 on hills and in big head winds.

 

I knew that...agree with you....still think it’s good to look at the tach

 

Everyone knows that operating RPM range has several factors involved like cam grind, exhaust type, tune, weight of the rider, compression, etc, so no one set of numbers is going to fit all bikes. My bike seem to pull pretty good at 2k. But that changes when 2-up and it also changes with different weather. In cool weather it pulls way better than on a hot day I think.

I agree with the shift numbers printed in the owners manual and I use them. I think they make my Harley sound right.