Cruising RPMs??
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Joined: Dec 2014
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From: oklahoma
Cruising RPMs??
I attempted a search of the forum and didn't find anything (which doesn't mean anything where I'm concerned). If this has been discussed please forgive me. I was curious what is the proper cruising RPMs for my year/size bike. It's a 98 Road King Police. When I am at 70mph my RPMs are at about 3grand. Most of the guys I ride with cruise around 75-80. The rpms seem a little high to me. I find that it feels like I need a 6th gear.
Sorry if this has been beat to death in the past
Glen
Sorry if this has been beat to death in the past
Glen
Last edited by glenc; Jan 19, 2015 at 09:38 AM. Reason: forgot to subscribe
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
There are millions of bikes with the same gearing as yours- you'll be fine
a 6th gear ( or overdrive) is only useful IF your motor has the grunt to use it- similar to you on a slight grade on your 10 speed bike and you switch from 9th to 10th...can your legs do it- or are they strained and you run out of speed...and have to downshift.
On my Evos I have an overdrive 61T* rear pulley on my FXR- that has a hipo motor and is lightweight.
On my evo bagger I would swap to a 65T rear pulley when taking a looong trip where I would be at highway speeds all day except for fuel and overnight stops...I didn;t much need to worry about stop and go traffic.
this swap would take 5 new bolts and about 30 minutes..less if doing a new tire before I leave
but gearing a bike too high for the motor can cause damage over time.
--- I wonder if riders with loud pipes ask this question most often- I notice the louder guys seem to be afeared of their own noise and short shift, rather than running the rpms where the power is
if you don;t have a tach, google:
28_RatiosMPG-pg28
this'll get you a rpm/mph/gear chart
( which will show that they Guy below is either at 2892 rpms or his speedo is off)
mike
*stock evo domestic pulley is 70T on most models, 65T on some softail models. 61T on some International models.
a 65T swap is possible IF you have about an inch remaining on the rear axle adjuster, 61T requires the shorter softail belt ($$$)
a 6th gear ( or overdrive) is only useful IF your motor has the grunt to use it- similar to you on a slight grade on your 10 speed bike and you switch from 9th to 10th...can your legs do it- or are they strained and you run out of speed...and have to downshift.
On my Evos I have an overdrive 61T* rear pulley on my FXR- that has a hipo motor and is lightweight.
On my evo bagger I would swap to a 65T rear pulley when taking a looong trip where I would be at highway speeds all day except for fuel and overnight stops...I didn;t much need to worry about stop and go traffic.
this swap would take 5 new bolts and about 30 minutes..less if doing a new tire before I leave
but gearing a bike too high for the motor can cause damage over time.
--- I wonder if riders with loud pipes ask this question most often- I notice the louder guys seem to be afeared of their own noise and short shift, rather than running the rpms where the power is
if you don;t have a tach, google:
28_RatiosMPG-pg28
this'll get you a rpm/mph/gear chart
( which will show that they Guy below is either at 2892 rpms or his speedo is off)
mike
*stock evo domestic pulley is 70T on most models, 65T on some softail models. 61T on some International models.
a 65T swap is possible IF you have about an inch remaining on the rear axle adjuster, 61T requires the shorter softail belt ($$$)
Last edited by mkguitar; Jan 20, 2015 at 10:34 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
True - and wise advice! My 4-speed shovel (bought new) would do that as well.
The only reason recent bikes have 6-speeds is to lower noise and exhaust emissions, by lowering engine speed. You can have a 6-speed courtesy SE and Baker, plus others, but the costs will pay for an awful lot of miles. If you want to ride fast wear ear plugs - we should all be doing so in any event.
The only reason recent bikes have 6-speeds is to lower noise and exhaust emissions, by lowering engine speed. You can have a 6-speed courtesy SE and Baker, plus others, but the costs will pay for an awful lot of miles. If you want to ride fast wear ear plugs - we should all be doing so in any event.
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I have a 6spd and to be honest 6th gear is pretty well useless unless you're cruising 75mph or faster. which around here isn't very often. So I'm gearing down to make better use of 6th gear and gain a little low end grunt. Nothing wrong with turing 3000 RPM while cruising, that's where these bikes really start making decent power, so take advantage of it.
In your case you may want to look into a smaller rear pulley if possible to lower your RPM at 75mph.
In your case you may want to look into a smaller rear pulley if possible to lower your RPM at 75mph.
Last edited by 2500hdon37s; Jan 19, 2015 at 11:32 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,975
Likes: 5,214
From: Michigan
From past experience......
I bought a new 2000 Ultra, T/C 88 in late '99.
I liked cruising at 2800 RPM (or so) which was near 70 MPH, and it seemed like I got the best MPG's in that range, and the bike had good passing power.
My wife prefers to ride much faster, so I had a Baker 6spd installed and yes, it dropped the PRM's and I could cruise at 80MPH at somewhere around 3000.
As someone said earlier, the problem is, and EVO, or even a stock T/C 88 doesn't have the "guts" to "push" the bike (especially fully loaded) in 6th gear unless you're doing close to 70MPH.
Eventually, I "upgraded" my T/C 88 to a "95" and that gave it a lot more torque and that really changed that bike!
Some folks change their sprockets (front or rear) which reduces the overall RPM's, but it also decreases the "pulling power" of the bike which makes it more sluggish at lower speeds.
My suggestion is to keep your bike stock until you actually need to make some changes, either in the engine or the transmission.
You can run at higher speeds with your friends, and your bike will use a bit more fuel, but in the long run it will be a lot cheaper than changing a transmission, upgrading your motor, or even changing sprockets.
Next suggestion would be to trade up to a 6 spd.
I bought a new 2000 Ultra, T/C 88 in late '99.
I liked cruising at 2800 RPM (or so) which was near 70 MPH, and it seemed like I got the best MPG's in that range, and the bike had good passing power.
My wife prefers to ride much faster, so I had a Baker 6spd installed and yes, it dropped the PRM's and I could cruise at 80MPH at somewhere around 3000.
As someone said earlier, the problem is, and EVO, or even a stock T/C 88 doesn't have the "guts" to "push" the bike (especially fully loaded) in 6th gear unless you're doing close to 70MPH.
Eventually, I "upgraded" my T/C 88 to a "95" and that gave it a lot more torque and that really changed that bike!
Some folks change their sprockets (front or rear) which reduces the overall RPM's, but it also decreases the "pulling power" of the bike which makes it more sluggish at lower speeds.
My suggestion is to keep your bike stock until you actually need to make some changes, either in the engine or the transmission.
You can run at higher speeds with your friends, and your bike will use a bit more fuel, but in the long run it will be a lot cheaper than changing a transmission, upgrading your motor, or even changing sprockets.
Next suggestion would be to trade up to a 6 spd.