Rpm
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,086
Likes: 154
From: Buffalo, NY
I ride in the 2200-2800 range, maybe down to 2000. But below 2000 the power falls off, out of its power band imo. Even gently rolling on the throttle at this rpm and you can feel the pounding that the engine bottom end is taking. Yeah lugging is not good.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: RIO GRANDE, TEXAS
same here
That cool sound is the bottom end of your motor being beat to ****. BTW I only used the word assumption because boogerdude did, and I used all caps because I figured theres plenty of folks that have trouble hearing based on the number of riders I see lugging their bikes around town.
Bottom line, everybody rides how they want to. And everyone has an opinion, so.....
Bottom line, everybody rides how they want to. And everyone has an opinion, so.....
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 6
From: Omaha Nebraska
It is not a super performance 107", it is an intentional, conservative performance 107" with a cam selected for a very broad power band (wide lobe separation, medium duration) for a two up touring bike.
There are many internal stresses on an engine, example - at wide open throttle and peak torque RPM you have the highest stresses on some components, at the high RPM shift point you have the highest stresses on other components and at peak HP, other components. A given engine with a mild cam is NOT percieved to be lugged at 2000 RPM, yet that same engine with a radical cam IS percieved to be lugged at 2000 RPM even though it is producing less torque with less internal stresses due to the radical cam producing less engine effeciancy at that RPM. With all of the variables, who out there is going to tell me or anyone else when they are lugging there engine.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 417
Likes: 6
From: Fargo ND
Kinda glad I don't have a tach, I always try to shift before the rev limiter and never use 6th below 75. Lugging the motor doesn't sound cool, and I don't understand why somebody wouldn't want to be in the powerband, if headlights get too close behind me i'm gone, I also don't sit along side a semi waiting for the tread to come flying off one of the tires. I feel safer and in control when i'm riding in the powerband (around 2500 rpm at least imho)
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,663
Likes: 7
From: Northeast Ohio
The actual definition of lugging is:
"An rpm and speed at which, no matter the amount of throttle input, the engine will not accelerate."
That being said, there are many different riding styles and many different engine configurations. I definitely try to keep the engine in the 2500 to 3000 in anything above 4th gear as that is closer to the actual peak torque and the engine will respond better to throttle inputs and give best mileage. Lower gears, it will not hurt to be below those rpms and the engine will still provide decent acceleration due to the gearing.
I have done economy testing at 60mph, both in 5th and 6th, and 5th will provide better mileage as there is less throttle needed to maintain speed.
For the most part, these new engines are pretty durable and running them a bit lower in the rpm range is not going to hurt them as long as you are not trying to do WOT runs in 6th at 1500 rpm, then you are going to hurt something. But, in general, it is better to run them closer to peak torque for efficiency and longevity, and peak torque varies greatly from stock to modified engines.
"An rpm and speed at which, no matter the amount of throttle input, the engine will not accelerate."
That being said, there are many different riding styles and many different engine configurations. I definitely try to keep the engine in the 2500 to 3000 in anything above 4th gear as that is closer to the actual peak torque and the engine will respond better to throttle inputs and give best mileage. Lower gears, it will not hurt to be below those rpms and the engine will still provide decent acceleration due to the gearing.
I have done economy testing at 60mph, both in 5th and 6th, and 5th will provide better mileage as there is less throttle needed to maintain speed.
For the most part, these new engines are pretty durable and running them a bit lower in the rpm range is not going to hurt them as long as you are not trying to do WOT runs in 6th at 1500 rpm, then you are going to hurt something. But, in general, it is better to run them closer to peak torque for efficiency and longevity, and peak torque varies greatly from stock to modified engines.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 6
From: Omaha Nebraska
So if an engine's peak TQ is at 3500 RPM, this is where we should cruise at? What if that engine provides adequate TQ at 1800?