Cruising speed
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Cruising speed
Quick question-
For long highway trips, what is the optimum cruising speed for a 2012 1200C?
I'm thinking about what is easiest on the bike, the rider and what gets the best MPG?
Thanks for your input
For long highway trips, what is the optimum cruising speed for a 2012 1200C?
I'm thinking about what is easiest on the bike, the rider and what gets the best MPG?
Thanks for your input
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
The Sporty EVO is happiest cruising between ~3,000 - 5,000 RPM.
I don't shift to 5th gear until I'm over 60 MPH.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
I've gotten my best MPG about 3000-3100rpm in 4th gear, which is 58-60mph or so. Can do almost as well in 5th but the extra speed can't make up for the extra wind resistance.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 938
From: Up a tree making meth coolaid
Any time a question like this comes up you will get two responses. One is to just ride it where it happy. That point where if you need a bit more power its there. If you need a lot more power drop a gear. Its a learned spot where most of us tend to run our bikes. Then you have the nothing short of 4 grand is healthy for your bike crowd. They always show up to make some noise..... Pun intended.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 108
Likes: 28
From: Lewis Co., WA
Somebody posted a chart a while back with the "recommended" cruising rpms/speeds for a Sporty 1200, but the numbers were way off.
I don't see how cruising in top gear with the engine under light load is "lugging" the engine. If I'm on the freeway and I'm scooting along at or near the speed limit, and there is no traffic to pass or hills to climb, I don't look down at the tach and think "OH GOD, 2200 RPMS!! I'M KILLING MY ENGINE!!" If I need to suddenly accelerate from that speed, I'll drop a gear, or two. I don't know where this recommended RPM range stuff comes from anyway.
I don't see how cruising in top gear with the engine under light load is "lugging" the engine. If I'm on the freeway and I'm scooting along at or near the speed limit, and there is no traffic to pass or hills to climb, I don't look down at the tach and think "OH GOD, 2200 RPMS!! I'M KILLING MY ENGINE!!" If I need to suddenly accelerate from that speed, I'll drop a gear, or two. I don't know where this recommended RPM range stuff comes from anyway.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Somebody posted a chart a while back with the "recommended" cruising rpms/speeds for a Sporty 1200, but the numbers were way off.
I don't see how cruising in top gear with the engine under light load is "lugging" the engine. If I'm on the freeway and I'm scooting along at or near the speed limit, and there is no traffic to pass or hills to climb, I don't look down at the tach and think "OH GOD, 2200 RPMS!! I'M KILLING MY ENGINE!!" If I need to suddenly accelerate from that speed, I'll drop a gear, or two. I don't know where this recommended RPM range stuff comes from anyway.
I don't see how cruising in top gear with the engine under light load is "lugging" the engine. If I'm on the freeway and I'm scooting along at or near the speed limit, and there is no traffic to pass or hills to climb, I don't look down at the tach and think "OH GOD, 2200 RPMS!! I'M KILLING MY ENGINE!!" If I need to suddenly accelerate from that speed, I'll drop a gear, or two. I don't know where this recommended RPM range stuff comes from anyway.
5th gear on a 1200 @ 2200 RPM = ~45 MPH - YOU ARE KILLING IT!