question about RPM's....
 

I've previously asked a question about what rpm is typically too high to ride at for a spell (something like a side road with speed limit 30 so I will typically try to do about 30 at maybe 2300-2400 rpm in 3rd gear or maybe get up to 40 and hit 4th gear and be doing low 2000's) but this question is about 5th gear. When I hit 60 or start pushing just a tad past that, I'm tach'ing like 2850. Does that seem a little high for a 2018 48? Thanks for any help.

I came across a rpm-mph chart before for an 883. I don't know what year it's for, but according to the chart when I run down the highway at 80-85 mph I'm running around 4600-4800 rpm in 5th. Also from the chart 2800 rpm in 5th would be about 50 mph. As I said, I don't know for what year it's for or how accurate it is. From what I've seen the Sportsters in general like to be higher rpm's to be happy. I haven't looked into what is the "sweet" spot, I just ride it...hard. I'm rough on mine, but it just keeps taking it without complaint. I just make sure to keep up on the maintenance.

So my short answer to your question is, no, it doesn't seem high to me.

You need to turn up the revs. I try to never get below 3000. Sportsters like the higher rpms. They are not like the big twins.

Actually all these numbers seem a little low.

I've ridden GSXR 1100,s for twenty years and I have only had my first Harley Davidson , a 2004 XL1200R for six weeks . Although my new bike does have a tachometer I quickly realised that there isn't much need for it . Why ? Because more than any bike I've ever ridden this bike's engine gives me loads of feedback to the point where it almost talks to me . Maybe you're over thinking the whole riding experience. You need to listen to what your bike is saying and get in tune with its moods . If it's " Thumping " change down and if it's " Buzzing " change up and if it's purring like a contented cat just reach down and stroke the petrol tank ! As previously mentioned , this is not a Big Twin . It's a surprisingly high revving engine that needs those revs to get down the road . By the way, is your bike an 883 or a 1200 ?

granted I try to keep it just outside that thump where it's obviously in too high a gear, I just didn't realize these bikes like to run that high. I knew Japanese bikes love being in high rpm but this is my first experience with a v twin. I'm beginning to see that I need to rethink how I ride this booger, lol.

1200. I think all the 48's are. Yeah I've been riding just outside that thump range, I'm def getting the picture that I need to stop fearing 3k.

thanks for all the help guys!

Isn't redline near 6000 rpm?
Riding at 2850 rpm is perfectly fine....it is not to high of a rpm.

FWIW 5th gear could be used for 65 to 100 mph.

There is a gear shift chart in the owner's manual but I think it will see the engine near to lugging.

1 - to - 2 15mph
2 - to - 3 25 mph
3 - to - 4 35 mph
4 - to - 5 45 mph

There is a reciprocal for the downshift and again I think it is way off. Bikes are geared different in the UK to US bikes and mine is not happy running in 5th much under 60 mph.