Cruising speed
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 250
From: NW Kentucky
I agree with charley on the lugging. Even on the big twins anything under 2500 is lugging unless you're just cruising around town. If shift into 3rd at anything less than about 2900 I can feel it. It lugs.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 218
Likes: 58
From: Maryland/ ohio
This is a pretty open question....
i have about 22k miles on my 15 "72" and it has spent most of its life in the 2800-4k rpm range on the highway.
factors:
solo or two-up?
riding in a group?
any cargo?
whats the speed of traffic?
weather?
How straight is the road?
climbing hills or screaming across Kansas?
i have about 22k miles on my 15 "72" and it has spent most of its life in the 2800-4k rpm range on the highway.
factors:
solo or two-up?
riding in a group?
any cargo?
whats the speed of traffic?
weather?
How straight is the road?
climbing hills or screaming across Kansas?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 443
From: Indianapolis
I'm sure Harley would never recommend "lugging the engine"
From the operating section (first 500 miles break in)
" During the first 50 mi 80 km of riding, keep the engine speed below 3000 rpm in any gear.
Do not lug the engine by running or accelerating at very low rpm, or by running at high rpm longer than needed for shifting or passing.
Avoid lugging the engine by not running the engine at very low speeds in higher gears."
There is no indication of what "very low speed" is defined as (no tach on the bike either
)
Here is what they DO recommend in my owner's manual-
Shift from 1st to 2nd at 15 mph (1846rpm to 1319rpm)
Shift from 2nd to 3rd at 25 mph (2198rpm to 1635 rpm)
Shift from 3rd to 4th at 35 mph (2289rpm to 1897rpm)
Shift from 4th to 5th at 45 mph (2439rpm to 2091rpm)
So it looks like maybe under about 1900-2000 rpms in 4th or 5th gear is "too low"
Downshift from 5th to 4th at 40 mph (1859rpm to 2168rpm)
Downshift from 4th to 3rd at 30 mph (1626rpm to 1962rpm)
Downshift from 3rd to 2nd at 20 mph (1308rpm to 1758rpm)
Downshift from 2nd to 1st at 10 mph (879 rpm to 1231rpm)
I have the clutch in before 10 mph in second so it doesn't ever get to 879 rpms.
My bike will shift at the HD recommended speeds using light throttle
Here is what works better for me-
Shift from 1st to 2nd at 20mph (2462rpm to 1758rpm)
Shift from 2nd to 3rd at 30mph (2638rpm to 1962 rpm)
Shift from 3rd to 4th at 40mph (2616rpm to 2168rpm)
Shift from 4th to 5th at 50mph (2710rpm to 2324rpm)
Makes the speedo into a "GEAR INDICATOR"
The 2013 Stock Sportster EFI tune doesn't really have enough ignition advance from 1250~2000rpms at low MAP (30-50) light throttle openings.
The Stage 1 tune adds more low throttle timing (Maybe a little too much for a 2007-2013 software level 176 tune), the 2018 software stage 1 tune seems to have better ignition timing at 1500-2000 rpms at 30-50 MAP.
Just my 2 cents worth
From the operating section (first 500 miles break in)
" During the first 50 mi 80 km of riding, keep the engine speed below 3000 rpm in any gear.
Do not lug the engine by running or accelerating at very low rpm, or by running at high rpm longer than needed for shifting or passing.
Avoid lugging the engine by not running the engine at very low speeds in higher gears."
There is no indication of what "very low speed" is defined as (no tach on the bike either
)Here is what they DO recommend in my owner's manual-
Shift from 1st to 2nd at 15 mph (1846rpm to 1319rpm)
Shift from 2nd to 3rd at 25 mph (2198rpm to 1635 rpm)
Shift from 3rd to 4th at 35 mph (2289rpm to 1897rpm)
Shift from 4th to 5th at 45 mph (2439rpm to 2091rpm)
So it looks like maybe under about 1900-2000 rpms in 4th or 5th gear is "too low"
Downshift from 5th to 4th at 40 mph (1859rpm to 2168rpm)
Downshift from 4th to 3rd at 30 mph (1626rpm to 1962rpm)
Downshift from 3rd to 2nd at 20 mph (1308rpm to 1758rpm)
Downshift from 2nd to 1st at 10 mph (879 rpm to 1231rpm)
I have the clutch in before 10 mph in second so it doesn't ever get to 879 rpms.
My bike will shift at the HD recommended speeds using light throttle
Here is what works better for me-
Shift from 1st to 2nd at 20mph (2462rpm to 1758rpm)
Shift from 2nd to 3rd at 30mph (2638rpm to 1962 rpm)
Shift from 3rd to 4th at 40mph (2616rpm to 2168rpm)
Shift from 4th to 5th at 50mph (2710rpm to 2324rpm)
Makes the speedo into a "GEAR INDICATOR"
The 2013 Stock Sportster EFI tune doesn't really have enough ignition advance from 1250~2000rpms at low MAP (30-50) light throttle openings.
The Stage 1 tune adds more low throttle timing (Maybe a little too much for a 2007-2013 software level 176 tune), the 2018 software stage 1 tune seems to have better ignition timing at 1500-2000 rpms at 30-50 MAP.
Just my 2 cents worth
Last edited by shanneba; May 1, 2018 at 09:45 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 108
Likes: 28
From: Lewis Co., WA
Under light load means you're not accelerating, you're not passing, you're not climbing a hill. You're cruising. On the freeway. With the bike turning a very calm and respectable 2650-2700 in 5th at 60 mph. That's not lugging the engine. You mean to tell me I need to be in 4th gear at these speeds because otherwise I'm "lugging" the engine and I'll hammer the rods? I call shenanigans.
You can believe what you want, and ride how you want, but telling someone else that they're going to risk internal engine damage by riding at anything under 3000 rpm is just crap. It's irresponsible.
Sporty engines are "happiest between 3,000 - 5000 rpm"? Says who? Even the HD owner's manual (posted by Shanneba, above) says differently.
Shift from 1st to 2nd at 15 mph (1846rpm to 1319rpm)
Shift from 2nd to 3rd at 25 mph (2198rpm to 1635 rpm)
Shift from 3rd to 4th at 35 mph (2289rpm to 1897rpm)
Shift from 4th to 5th at 45 mph (2439rpm to 2091rpm) OMG THEY'RE KILLING IT!!
Shift from 2nd to 3rd at 25 mph (2198rpm to 1635 rpm)
Shift from 3rd to 4th at 35 mph (2289rpm to 1897rpm)
Shift from 4th to 5th at 45 mph (2439rpm to 2091rpm) OMG THEY'RE KILLING IT!!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 559
Likes: 113
From: VA-Nelson Cty
On long hwy trips I find the best cruising speed to be 5mph over the limit unless around big cities when I flow with traffic which is usually at least 10 over. Long periods of cruising out west I found 85 to be the limit of the 'comfort' zone--just seemed buzzy over that to me. I am usually loaded down when doing long periods of hwy cruising which I consider longer than 4 hrs. I run at 55 in fifth all the time, but think of that as the low end--for long periods.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 443
From: Indianapolis
If you look at the ignition advance table on the 2007-2013 Sportster stock tune you can see why the engine runs best at 3000+ rpms.
It actually has enough ignition timing for the engine speed.
I see a MAP of about 40-50ish at low throttle cruising down the highway at 50-75mph.
My 5 cents worth
2017 HD SE Tuner stage 1
It actually has enough ignition timing for the engine speed.
I see a MAP of about 40-50ish at low throttle cruising down the highway at 50-75mph.
My 5 cents worth
Code:
2013 Stock front
RPM/map 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
1000 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 3 0
1250 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 5 0
1500 12 10 10 10 10 10 10 5 2.75
1750 12 10 10 10 12 13 13.25 8.25 6.75
2000 14 10 10 10 16.5 19.25 18 13 10.75
2250 14 12 12 14.5 19.75 24 23.25 17.5 15
2500 14 14 14 19 22.75 28 28 22.75 17.5
3000 14 14 18.5 27.25 31.5 34.5 32.5 26 21.25
3500 14 14 24 33 35.75 36 34 29 25
4000 14 14 29.25 37.5 38 38 36 30.5 28
4500 14 14 34.5 41 40 38.5 37 33 30.5
5000 14 14 39 45 40.5 39 37 34 31.5
5500 14 14 40 45 43.5 40.5 38 36.5 33.75
6000 14 14 40 45 45 45 44.5 41.5 35.75
6500 14 14 40 45 45 43.75 44 41.5 41
7000 14 14 40 45 45 45 44 42 41
7500 14 14 40 40 40 40 44 42 41
Code:
2018 stage1 F RPMxMAP 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 1000 10.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 10.00 10.00 3.00 0.00 1250 10.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 10.00 10.00 5.00 0.00 1500 10.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 10.00 10.00 5.00 3.00 1750 12.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 8.00 8.00 2000 12.00 16.00 16.00 16.00 17.00 19.00 18.00 11.00 11.00 2250 14.00 17.00 17.00 18.00 20.00 24.00 23.00 17.00 17.00 2500 17.00 20.00 21.00 21.00 23.00 28.00 25.00 23.00 18.00 3000 25.00 27.00 27.00 27.00 32.00 35.00 33.00 26.00 22.00 3500 30.00 33.00 33.00 33.00 36.00 36.00 33.00 26.00 23.00 4000 32.00 35.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 35.00 28.00 26.00 4500 32.00 35.00 41.00 41.00 40.00 39.00 37.00 29.00 27.00 5000 32.00 35.00 44.00 44.00 41.00 39.00 37.00 31.00 28.00 5500 32.00 35.00 45.00 45.00 44.00 41.00 38.00 33.00 30.00 6000 32.00 35.00 45.00 45.00 45.00 43.00 39.00 34.00 34.00 6500 32.00 35.00 45.00 45.00 45.00 43.00 39.00 34.00 34.00 7000 32.00 35.00 45.00 45.00 45.00 43.00 39.00 34.00 34.00 7500 32.00 35.00 45.00 45.00 45.00 43.00 39.00 34.00 34.00
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
Likes: 394
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
I find 70MPH is my bikes sweet spot, engine is at it's smoothest and reving high enough that there is really no need to shift down a gear even when passing on a two lane.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,539
Likes: 12,184
From: Indianapolis
My 'rule of thumb' has always been if you open the throttle, and the engine/bike does not immediately begin to accelerate, and struggles to do so, vibrates excessively, etc... you are in too high of a gear for that speed. I tend to error on the side of spinning an engine faster in a lower gear. The correct gear to be in should become second nature without even having to think about it.
Last edited by firehawk6; May 2, 2018 at 09:34 AM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 592
From: Philly PA
I spend a lot of time on the highway. The bike is happy at 70-75. I have plenty of power to accelerate and it just purrs right along.
However, I have noticed that anything above 60-65 mph and my fuel mileage tanks from around 50 mpg to 43-45 mpg.
My bike is heavier than any other sporty due to all the stuff I have on it plus I am running a windshield so that affects it as well. With some time you will see what speed your mileage starts to drop and choose accordingly.
Regarding the lugging, I probably shift into 5th around 55-60 mph, most of the time I wait until I am no longer accelerating. And I had 206,000 miles on my engine before I had to split the case due to a bad bearing in my transmission main shaft.
However, I have noticed that anything above 60-65 mph and my fuel mileage tanks from around 50 mpg to 43-45 mpg.
My bike is heavier than any other sporty due to all the stuff I have on it plus I am running a windshield so that affects it as well. With some time you will see what speed your mileage starts to drop and choose accordingly.
Regarding the lugging, I probably shift into 5th around 55-60 mph, most of the time I wait until I am no longer accelerating. And I had 206,000 miles on my engine before I had to split the case due to a bad bearing in my transmission main shaft.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 253
From: Northern Los Angeles area.