Hi and thanks in advance for those answering.
I have a new to me 2005 883 low. When I ride I ride non stop from full tank to reserve and usually ride about 4 to 5 hundred miles in on day for 3 to 4 days in a row on my freewheeler and want to do the same on the sportster. I like to cruise at between 70 and 75 but on the sporty at that speed it seems to be revving awful high. I don't have a tack. Do you think that speed is too hard on the motor? I don't want to destroy the motor by over revving. What speed do most of you drive at.

 

It's not that bad. Maybe 3500-4000 rpms. I toured all over on my 883 and 883 gearing. You won't blow the motor, even running at redline all day. In that case you'd probably just burn a lot of oil.

Now with my 1250 and 1200 gearing I cruise at about 3100-3200 all day long. Best efficiency and comfort. Did multiple hundred mile stretches at 80-90mph 2up with gear, which puts me in the 3700rpm range. No problemo!

 

 

I have 240,000 miles on my 2006 1200R and cruised at that speed quite a bit with the only issue being I was loosing oil out the breathers. I add maybe 1 qt every 2-3,000 miles. I used to ride with a friend who had 95,000 miles on his 2005 883 and he had no issues either.

I've found above 60-65 mph fuel mileage drops significantly.

 

OP I think you are riding it just fine. My 883 survived a lot worse than that back in the day, and was still running great when I sold it.

Just have a great time out there, and ride safe.

 

This has been posted on the forum many times. I'm not sure if it is 100% accurate but should give you an idea.

I wouldn't worry about it. They're bulletproof.


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My 883L is quite happy at speeds up to around 90mph. If yours SOUNDS as if it is revving high then wear ear plugs. We should all do so anyway, advice that was first issued back in the 1970s - best tuning aid known to mankind!

 

Gerald, you'll do fine at those speeds on your 883. I ride at those speeds all the time on my 883, including lots of multiple day trips riding 80 mph all day long in 90* weather.

Depending on the bike, you may lose oil out the breathers (as previously mentioned) or not. On mine I don't lose even a quarter of a quart between oil changes.

 

You need to put some more miles on that bike then

 

My bike does 6oz/1k miles. Very apparent on a cross country trip when covering 6k miles in 2 weeks. Thank goodness for Walmart and Mobil1 15W-50.