This may be a stupid question, but at what RPM are you "lugging" the engine? Thanks in advance

 

Depends on which gear your in.
What speeds are you talking about?

 

Anytime you roll on the throttle and can't gain speed easily you are lugging it.


Mark

 

If your bike's tuned right, you can run it at 1,500rpm all day long on a level road.

 

Generally under 2200. If it won't accelerate smoothly at whatever gear you're in without downshifting, you're lugging it. I keep mine at 2400 plus as a rule and I'll hit 100,000 miles on my bike this fall. My motor likes me...

 

You can be lugging the motor at many different RPMs depending on the conditions. Uphill, downhill, throttle position, etc. Generalling speaking, lugging occurs at lower RPMs (approx 2,000 or less) in the higher gears, but then again there are many factors that play ino it.

If the motor feels like it's laboring, regardless of RPM, you're probably lugging it. If you give it some throttle and it feels sluggish, or it's chug-a-chug-a-chug until the RPMs climb and it smooths out, you're probably lugging it.

You should be able to feel and hear the sweet area of the RPM range. It should feel smooth and responsive - otherwise downshift and get the RPMs up.

 

Keep her above 2,000 RPM.

 

You shouldn't be riding around under 2k. And if you are climbing a hill you could be lugging at under 4k. I generally don't ride under 2500 rpm.

 

A day or two at those rpm's and the damage is done with the later model TC's - they don't like or do well at that kind of cruise setting...

 

two things

1.) oil pressure and volume are dependent on RPM's. low RPM's = low oil. Oil not only lubricates but carries heat away from the internals, oil IS part of the cooling system

2.) Clutch and driveline get shocked by this- it'll wear out prematurely

3.) lower end damage will occur--- that's about as pricey as you can get

4.) IF you want to go putt-putt-putt, you need a low compression motor, and to be able to control the timing- retarding more than the TC can.
and maybe do some clutch slipping too.
My Panhead fits that description, the evo and TC do not.



on the newer model bikes, 65 or 70 is the minimum for 6th gear on level road.

mike