How far before red line do you stop?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida, USA
Well think about it guys, banging the rev limiter results in the fuel or ignition being temporarily cut to the motor so that it can't rev anymore than it has. However, now you got the motor "out of balance" with some cylinders firing, others not. It's designed in order to save a random over-rev, not constantly use it. It will still stretch and strain the motor over time. In a 12 or 24-hour race your motor wouldn't last.
By the way, if you're running close to the red-line and downshift the vehicle w/o slowing enough to get the engine in the right rev range you will exceed red-line on the motor and if it's zero-clearance the valves can float and contact the pistons which is bad.
By the way, if you're running close to the red-line and downshift the vehicle w/o slowing enough to get the engine in the right rev range you will exceed red-line on the motor and if it's zero-clearance the valves can float and contact the pistons which is bad.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 986
Likes: 3
From: Texas
More than a few engines have been wasted doing that.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,282
Likes: 1,139
From: southeast PA
The only bikes I ever owned without a tach were Harleys, but it didn't take long to get used to the feel for the powerband on the other makes. Besides being potentially harmful, hitting the rev limiter was not only annoying, the motor had already flattened out. Finally figured out how to ride it, and we are both (me and the bike) much better that way.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 962
Likes: 0
From: .....
Thing is, on a harley, reving the engine doesn't gain you anything. I switch at 3500, maybe 4k max, reving the **** out of it higher than that doesn't seem to accelerate much faster anyway.
These engines aren't made for revs or speed. If you want to go fast you have to buy a susuki hyabusa. Harleys are made for putting around nice and slowly, looking cool and swank, checking out the chicks in the cars as they're drooling out the windows at the bad azzz biker dude...
It's all about posing, not about speed.
These engines aren't made for revs or speed. If you want to go fast you have to buy a susuki hyabusa. Harleys are made for putting around nice and slowly, looking cool and swank, checking out the chicks in the cars as they're drooling out the windows at the bad azzz biker dude...
It's all about posing, not about speed.
+1 And go heavy on the swank!
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: poughkeepsie, ny
Anything after your powerbands peak is a waste. I try not to shift past 5500 rpm, my peak hp is at 5300 rpm.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 20
From: Driftless Area
I think how often you redline and when depends where you live. Around here there is hardly enough open space without a tractor pulling out in front of ya. When I was young and stupid I used to ride my sporty like a jap bike, but now I'm older and that kids stuff just really doesn't interest me anymore, and I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.
