RPM Ranges??? Where do you ride?
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 950
Likes: 19
From: Southcentral, OK
RPM Ranges??? Where do you ride?
I have been trying to wrap my head around cams for over a year now. One thing that seems to be a recurring point is "where do you plan to ride" relative to the RPM range.
I seem to ride in the 2500-3100 range. Am I shifting too early? I am just above lugging, so I think I am riding in the optimum range as far as engine health/efficiency, but I am not sure.
For example, at 70mph in 6th I am dead on at 2550rpms (stage 1 FatboyLo)
Do others ride in a higher range?
I do recognize that 5-speed trans will have a slightly higher cruising range on the freeway. But, where do you all prefer to shift?
Looking forward to comments
I seem to ride in the 2500-3100 range. Am I shifting too early? I am just above lugging, so I think I am riding in the optimum range as far as engine health/efficiency, but I am not sure.
For example, at 70mph in 6th I am dead on at 2550rpms (stage 1 FatboyLo)
Do others ride in a higher range?
I do recognize that 5-speed trans will have a slightly higher cruising range on the freeway. But, where do you all prefer to shift?
Looking forward to comments
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek, MI
i have and older (04) so I dont have a tach and do have the 5 spd. I use the 25 for 2nd, 35 for shift to 3rd, 45 shift to 4th and 55 i shift to 5th....I wish I knew what the rpms were just because i am curious
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 1
From: malibu
I recently installed a Dakota Digital just so I do know what RPMs I'm at. Not sure why MoCo doesn't do it in the first place.
I usually ryde between 2500-2800. Maybe just a touch higher if I want more torque on demand.
I usually ryde between 2500-2800. Maybe just a touch higher if I want more torque on demand.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 3
From: Central Jersey
Unless im going through twists and turns where I need the power, I keep the engine between 2-3000rpms while crusing, generally shifting between 3100-3500. Hell, I'm in 6th @ 55mph, and will drop it in to 5th or 4th if I really need to gain any speed.. Which is why i've decided when I do cams (I want more miles on my bike as it is though) i'm probably going with either the Andrews (i think it's the
37h's ..maybe 27's i forget.. or the Woods 555..or the SE-204's. probably the Wood's though, because I want to do the FuelMoto 107" kit
Oh, and there was a thread about tachometer's awhile back, and a bunch people started yelling and saying "You don't need a tach! Just use the feel of your butt! If you do it any other way, you're not riding right!".. to that i say.. bollocks. I like my tach.
37h's ..maybe 27's i forget.. or the Woods 555..or the SE-204's. probably the Wood's though, because I want to do the FuelMoto 107" kitOh, and there was a thread about tachometer's awhile back, and a bunch people started yelling and saying "You don't need a tach! Just use the feel of your butt! If you do it any other way, you're not riding right!".. to that i say.. bollocks. I like my tach.
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: Bama
I have a stage 3 kit with the 259e cams so I ride in a higher range. I'm usually around 3000 rpms cruising because anything below that the bike feels like it's begging for rpms. If I'm on the highway on long stretches I'll go to 6th at about 70 like others and I'm around that 2500 rpm mark. I don't normally shift tho unless I'm over 3500 rpms which gives me lots of range in the gear I am in. I may be completely wrong tho but my redline isn't until 6200 with the stage 3.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
If I'm hauling *** down the highway and trying to gain as much speed as possible I get out of 1st fairly quickly but the rest of the gears I to wind out to 5 grand at times.
I come from 2 stroke's and inline 4's so it's what I'm use to.
Short shifting seems to keep the engine out of the optimum rpm range.
With my hq500's I'm probably just getting into the power around 3k
I come from 2 stroke's and inline 4's so it's what I'm use to.
Short shifting seems to keep the engine out of the optimum rpm range.
With my hq500's I'm probably just getting into the power around 3k
