You have been grossly mislead. That is the nicest way I can put it.

 

How are some of these guys seeing such high rpms?? I see ppl posting stuff like....I run around 60 mph in 5th gear and the rpm is up around 4000.

I run 60 in 5th all the time and the rpm's stay well below 3000. Heck, even in 4th gear running that fast, I dont think I break 3 grand. Of course if you're constantly WOT, I can see that. I think some ppl like to exaggerate. lol

Unless I'm on the highway, I rarely run in 6th gear.

 

between 2500 and 3000 seems best, I try not to dip below 2500 but honestly a little lower doesn't lug my engine and that's the most important thing, knowing the sweet spot ..when the speed limits are high on a long road trip you forget about rpms and do whatever 6th is doing obviously

 

80% of redline. If redline of M8 is 5500rpms then 4400 rpms in any gear is considered optimal range for engine performance, not comfort.

 

What??? I hope you're being facetious.

 

2500 to 3500 is were i like to be works well for me. Any higher and your just sucking up gas or just having fun riding fast. Just like others have stated 6th gear 3000 rpm happy happy happy

 

Same here, 3000 rpm's seems to be the sweet spot for me as well. I rarely go above 4000, just no need to. Bike pulls hard and runs great with plenty of passing power when in 6th gear @3000 rpm's. Gas mileage is a solid 42 for me with this riding regime.

 

think you're confusing optimal cruising rpms with optimal rate of transmission fluid transfer rpms

 

You can run 60 in 6th all day long long as you not pulling a hard grade. lot will try to tell you different but they are wrong as can be.

 

agreed, if in doubt refer to your owners manual which will confirm this under recommend shift points..60 in 6th is not lugging and is more rpms than I prefer for long stretches in 5th gear