I just bought a 2005 1200 Sportster Roadster that was superbly tricked out by the owner/dealer I bought it from (I'm the first owner, the bike is new, has 1,000 miles and full warantee). He had his team build the bike and it's gorgeous. I has Thunderheader exhaust, Buell pistons, SE carb kit, SE racing ignition, etc. (dynos at just under 100 hp at the rear wheel). The bike also has Ohlins shocks and a Ceriani/Storz fork and triple tree. Lots of other little finish touches, too. Really nice to look at, as well as to ride.

My question is, with my previous V-Twins, I'd be riding the bike in the 2000-3500 RPM range. With this bike, if you ride at 3,500 RPM and roll on the throttle, it's not real exciting. Get it above 4,000 and the fun begins. It just jumps to 6,000 in a heartbeat and triple digits are close at hand.

My question is, should the bike be run at these higher RPMs? Will this damage the engine? I'm usually cruising at 55 mph in 4th gear and getting 45 MPG, so no complaints there. I just don't want to damage this gorgeous hunk of machinery.

Thanks for any and all input. You can see the bike here: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2MkGaMVUmt...age-771036.jpe

Curt

 

I wouldn't worry about running it around 4000 RPMs. The Sportster engine likes higher revs more than the big twins. I wouldn't go much higher for long periods, though that's just MHO and doesn't come from experience. I personally run my 1200 between 2800 and 3400 RPMs just cruising long distance. I don't hesitate to shift down and I frequently bring mine close to redline though. Riding in the twisties I keep the RPMs high so I don't have to work so hard shifting all the time.

Of course, as is the case on any engine, higher revs do put more wear on the engine so it won't last as long. But with proper maintenance it will still last a long time. The Sportster engine is not a wimp.

 

More important than HP, would be to see torque curve on the dyno sheet. It sounds like they put a top end cam set in it rather than a low-mid range set. Great for the drag strip but not real useful on the street.

 

Thanks, guys, for the responses. I took the bike out tonight and rode some twisties here in the Berkshire Mountains (if you want to call them mountains). I rode it at all speeds and in different gears. I suppose there's plenty of torque in around 2700 rpm. Perhaps it's just me. When you go between 4-6000 rpm, the machine just goes into orbit. It's plenty tractable around town, too, as long as you don't twist the throttle too much, scaring dogs and old ladies and such. It really is a lot of fun to ride and it's so solid and smooth. I'll get the dyno sheet on the bike, as suggested, to see where all the power lies.

Thanks again,
Curt

 

Agreed... At 80mph I am just under 4,000 RPM on a 2004 Roadster. The 2 into 1 pipe will help the low end but not the fat end. Mine runs real well between 4,000 and 5,800 but it sure sucks up fuel there so I stay around 3,500....