So I know lugging is bad on a motor but what about running at the higher RPMs for extended times? Is it rough on your engine to cruise over 3500 RPMs? It also seems like when I am running at 15 through my housing area that I need to be in second but if I shift, I feel it lug...

 

I have found that running my motor with some rpms is better than lugging. In fact I get better mileage when I wind the gears up and not use 6th gears unless Im running 75+ for extended periods. Carbon buildup will be less which will keep pinging from developing which seems to happen as carbon develops. I experimented with not using 6th at all for one trip and the motor actually felt stronger and smoother. So then lugging seems the biggest danger to these motors than reving em up.

 

Before there was a 6th gear we ran 4grand down the highway without issues. I'm really thinking about changing pulleys to get the rpm up.

 

At 15mph,you can leave it in 1st. My older Harleys were wound up tight at 65 mph,with a 4 speed.Got over a hundred grand (mileage) out of them. I keep the r's in mid range all the time,and get better mileage on these mountain roads,constantly pulling grades and downshifting for tight curves and steep descents.Don't hurt a thang!