I am pretty new to riding, I started on a Honda 250Rally, and they run up to 7000+ rpm. I got a 2017 Ultra Limited and am getting used to it. Much bigger, powerful and heavier than my Kaw 900 classic LT. A couple weeks back, road my Kaw 900, some friends and I road all over the Smoky Mountains, did tail of the dragon twice, had a blast. OK My question, now that I have this bigger nicer Harley, what is a safe rpm to run it in the twisty's? Like if I stay in 2nd gear can I run it 3000-4000 rpm? through the course like tail of the dragon. I doubt I would need 3rd much on that course, until my experience level gets better.

 

go for it dude!
you will find the longer stroke engine has a lot of low end grunt compared to the shorter stroked rice-mobiles.
sometimes i take a 50 mile ride at 5k which is 120mph on my 01 sport and still have 2.5k to go. at 6k, i am clocking 140 and it is squirrelly as h-double hockey sticks!

 

I try to keep the RPMs between 3-4 or so and use the trans to maintain that range. You really don't want to idle for extended periods or ride in gears above 2nd below about 22-2500 RPMs or anything that may feel like it is lugging.

At lower RPM's the engine is hammering, which is hard on rod bearings and hydraulic lifters.

Paul

 

I try not to run above 140mph, I worry it's hard on the engine.

 

140 mph, wow. I have a friend that said his top speed was somewhere 140+. I don't think I will ever try to break 100 mph on a bike. I think 6th gear on the interstate at 65-70 mph is running about 2500-2700 rpm on my bike

 

There are a lot of guys on this Forum that drive that fast, especially in the Sportster section.

 

Fixed for ya.

 

You mean they may be exaggerating? Say it isn't so,

 

How many rpm are ok? All of them. I don't ride around bouncing off the Rev limiter but I do let er breathe. These ain't your grandaddy's harleys...they like to run

 

Interesting. My stock '14 Valk lays down 120 lb-ft at 4K. How about your bike?