Cruisin RPM
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 195
From: Ohio
Cruisin RPM
Is cruising on flat open road at 2200 RPM to low?
I find that my bike seems to like running at 2200 to 2500 rpm, but I was told by my service dept. that I need to keep it at 2800 to 3200 while running at constant speeds on flat open road. Now if I have to accelerate I will downshift first, but just running along at a constant speed I think 2200 rpm's is OK. What say you?
2012 Street Glide Stock 1700 miles.
I find that my bike seems to like running at 2200 to 2500 rpm, but I was told by my service dept. that I need to keep it at 2800 to 3200 while running at constant speeds on flat open road. Now if I have to accelerate I will downshift first, but just running along at a constant speed I think 2200 rpm's is OK. What say you?
2012 Street Glide Stock 1700 miles.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 195
From: Ohio
I agree, but I was at my service dept. for a different issue and the mgr. asked me at what rpm I was cruising. When I told him 2200 to 2500 rpm he said it was too low. So this is why I am asking for opinions. My bike seems pretty happy at these rpm's, but hey what do i know i am only the customer.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 4
From: Victoria, Australia
My personal absolute lower limit is 2600rpm minimum as I consider anything under that to be lugging the engine.
Given that our maximum speed limit in the nanny state I live in downunder equals 62mph, 5th gear sees more use than 6th unless on a dead flay highway. Any incline at all and it's back to 5th.
Given that our maximum speed limit in the nanny state I live in downunder equals 62mph, 5th gear sees more use than 6th unless on a dead flay highway. Any incline at all and it's back to 5th.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33
Likes: 13
From: So. New Jersey
96 ci, 6 speed (2008) Mine likes :30-40=3rd gear, 40-50=4th gear, 50-60=5th gear, 60 on up=6th gear. Unless need to merge quickly into traffic and such: run up to around 3000 thru the gears. Has worked well for 28,000 k on this bike. JMHO.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Glendale AZ
Your not telling us what gear or speed your going but, compare your RPM to speed with this chart:
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Supporter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,189
Likes: 16
From: N.E. Wisconsin
Your Ok on the flat with those rpms, you seem to know when the motor is starting to lug for the gear and would shift accordingly. Your dealer is Right though. The new bikes have a lighter flywheel than the older designs and smaller cu.inch of the past, so you need more rpm for the engines higher power curve. Also to run all the electronics/accessories.
I would kick it up a couple hundred rpms if I were you, like in the 2500 rpm to 3000 rpm area. Kinda like going from a 1903 to the knuckle head.
It probably sounds like your hot rod'in it, but that's the "New" nature of the beast.
I would kick it up a couple hundred rpms if I were you, like in the 2500 rpm to 3000 rpm area. Kinda like going from a 1903 to the knuckle head.
It probably sounds like your hot rod'in it, but that's the "New" nature of the beast.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Oregon
Used to ride by the sound and would cruise (60) at around 2200-2400. Wore some earphones the other day and rode by what felt good, handling, response etc. Looked down and was running 3000-3200. Hard to explain but it seemed like thats where the bike liked to run, so now I run it most the time in that range.