lugging question
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 6
From: Omaha Nebraska
Know what you mean, I also like that low RPM rumble. For example, on our bike, if I start going up hill at 1500-2000 RPM, hear the engine start to labor and am approaching 30-40% throttle, I kick down a gear. Lugging is subjective, a certain engine can be lugging at 3500 RPM going up a steep hill which many would do a downshift for. However, every engine combination is different and what one person considers a lugging RPM varies, kind of like, "what oil should I use?"
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 805
Likes: 6
From: Burb of Chicago
I don't follow rules well.....so that throws out the rule of 10's
All scoots are a little different, and my 01 5 speed, doing 30 in 3rd would be lugging my engine. I choose to kick mine in 3rd, and feel comfortable at 35-37mph. If I choose to do the true speed limit of 30, and keeping mine in 2nd, I'm afraid would draw more attention to my pipes.
Guess I'm saying I would rather run a little quiet, quicker........than maintain the speed limit loud.
Respects,
Ed
All scoots are a little different, and my 01 5 speed, doing 30 in 3rd would be lugging my engine. I choose to kick mine in 3rd, and feel comfortable at 35-37mph. If I choose to do the true speed limit of 30, and keeping mine in 2nd, I'm afraid would draw more attention to my pipes.
Guess I'm saying I would rather run a little quiet, quicker........than maintain the speed limit loud.
Respects,
Ed
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 659
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
my 08 SG feels like it starts to lug a little around 2100 rpm....the rules of ten seems like to me works but not sure i follow it...i try to keep my bike around 2500-2700 rpm...
what i dont like is the 25 mph zone, then i get a little stir crazy trying to figure out whether i should go low on the rpms or high to about 3100-3300
what i dont like is the 25 mph zone, then i get a little stir crazy trying to figure out whether i should go low on the rpms or high to about 3100-3300
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 6
From: Omaha Nebraska
my 08 SG feels like it starts to lug a little around 2100 rpm....the rules of ten seems like to me works but not sure i follow it...i try to keep my bike around 2500-2700 rpm...
what i dont like is the 25 mph zone, then i get a little stir crazy trying to figure out whether i should go low on the rpms or high to about 3100-3300
what i dont like is the 25 mph zone, then i get a little stir crazy trying to figure out whether i should go low on the rpms or high to about 3100-3300
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 1
Just to add to the 'different bikes, different rpms' concept...
My 99 RK seems to like 1800-2200 in third just toolin round town 30-40mph. Sometimes run up to 3200 to quickly get into area that isn't so congested with traffic. When I'm headed toward higher highway speeds I run from 1800 to 3200-3600 going thru the gears. I do, but not often, sometimes go higher gettin there and never over 4200 unless I'm not payin attention. Higher RPMs above the 3600-3800 line make my pistons bang kinda hard with the mileage that's it has, (over 67k and fast approaching 70k). Looking to do the 95" big bore sometime in the next year.
But as you can see in my sig I'm runnin a baker dd6 gearset, and it's also accompanied by a 28 tooth compensator sprocket. So each bike is indeed different. Like others said before me, when you feel like your bike is struggling it is lugging. If it feels good, it's most likely not. And if you have a tach, use it more than your speedo. Speedo is to keep johnny law off yer ***. Tach is to keep yer engine in shape.
Get to know how your bike 'speaks' to you. If it yells, complains, or just flat out cries, yer doin somethin wrong. If it sings in a bass, baritone or tenor 'voice', she's happy to be where you've taken her.
My 99 RK seems to like 1800-2200 in third just toolin round town 30-40mph. Sometimes run up to 3200 to quickly get into area that isn't so congested with traffic. When I'm headed toward higher highway speeds I run from 1800 to 3200-3600 going thru the gears. I do, but not often, sometimes go higher gettin there and never over 4200 unless I'm not payin attention. Higher RPMs above the 3600-3800 line make my pistons bang kinda hard with the mileage that's it has, (over 67k and fast approaching 70k). Looking to do the 95" big bore sometime in the next year.
But as you can see in my sig I'm runnin a baker dd6 gearset, and it's also accompanied by a 28 tooth compensator sprocket. So each bike is indeed different. Like others said before me, when you feel like your bike is struggling it is lugging. If it feels good, it's most likely not. And if you have a tach, use it more than your speedo. Speedo is to keep johnny law off yer ***. Tach is to keep yer engine in shape.
Get to know how your bike 'speaks' to you. If it yells, complains, or just flat out cries, yer doin somethin wrong. If it sings in a bass, baritone or tenor 'voice', she's happy to be where you've taken her.
Last edited by CroK; Nov 1, 2009 at 09:17 PM.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 325
Likes: 1
From: missouri
Well I agree with the poster who said lugging is subjective...so I thought maybe there should be a way to objectify or quantify it...then I agree with the posters who speak of many many variables...and I don't have a tach...so I'm goin' with the "if it feels wrong change gears" philosophy. I've been riding a long time, it's just my first Harley and I love it....makes me a little nervous but I'm over it...thanks a million for the replies.
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