2010 Ultra Limited with the 103, I've been riding solo with ease keeping mostly between
2.5 and 3K RPMs .
I took a ride fully loaded with luggage and both of us, we both are just over 200 lbs each to Branson MO for the weekend. I found out that Branson is not bike friendly , the traffic is real bad and I kicked in the rear cylinder kill out/overheat feature several times; found myself turning it off and restarting all the time. (Was wondering about starter damage)
Anyway, I had to use higher RPM with all the weight and was wondering what range other riders use when riding.

Does anyone keep above 3K RPMs for long times, say in a lower gear and ride along at 3.5 to 4K or so down the freeway for miles on end?

What would be too much, any opinions?

 

3000+ preferred has the requisite comfort and response with my Bike.

 

Been there done that a few times, as long as you feel comfortable in the RPM range your ridin in then its all good. Alot of hills around there so I found myself pushin it more than usual ridin 2up, but all our gear was at the hotel while crusin for some food on the waterfront. Gotta love Shorty Smalls & Joe's Crab Shack. I do know my bike doesn't pull all that well after 4000 RPM.

 

My bike likes 2800-3000

 

24-26 hundred rpm for me. unless i'm bored, then it's to the rev limiter in each gear.....not.

 

I don't like to run my engine hard. I ride solo all the time now as my wife has her own scoot. I try to stay between 2500 to 2800 not over 3K unless I'm taking off from a stoplight and punch it a little. I never hit the rev limiter. some say higher rpm's won't hurt an engine, but common sense will tell you 4K will hurt more than 2800 will.

 

My bikes happy at 2800 to 3200 on a steady cruise on the highway.
Throttle response is instant and I can run at 1/8 throttle to maintain 65-75.

Just because you have decent torque at 1800,don't assume that the bike likes running that low!

 

2500 ish for me. Gotta love that Branson traffic. The twisties around that area are worth it though. I get down there and nw ark. alot, being from Joplin.

 

I like around 2500 with just myself and light load but with all that weight, you probably need to be around 3000 most of the time, which many cruise at without a load.

 

I try to ride at 3000-3200 when I am in traffic, mountains or curvy roads. Spooling it up gives me more options on using engine braking, just the brakes or a combo of both. I do notice that I run more RPM's that a lot of other HD riders. Seems to me that a great deal of them ride down in the 2k range which to me is lugging the engine if you are crusing.