Crusing RPM
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 279
From: North Cental Iowa
3000 on your 12 SG is about 79 MPH, 2500 is about 66. I used to have a 2000 Ultra that had 3.37 gearing, 09-up is 2.875, would run that one for hours at 85 MPH on the way to Sturgis, that figures out to about 3800 RPMs & it never hurt a thing. Don't worry about it, run it wherever you want, you should be able to tell if you're lugging it whether you have a tach or not.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
My engine loves those numbers. 2200 is where my bike gets the best fuel economy.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
yeah, do that on a harley, and you won't have to worry about any carbon on your pistons. that is if you can find them after they fly out of your cylinders 
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 407
Likes: 2
From: Bixby Oklahoma
My 09 103 seems happy at about 3K / about 80 mph........trying to train myself to keep it that range in 4th and fifth as well, I think it gets a little better fuel mileage but I tend to let it drop to between 22 and 25K if I just listen to it run
Stage II
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg, VA
I have a 2012 switchback. My owners manual doesn't have a shift up number, just a down shift number.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
The engine can handle a cruise of just about anything between 2000 and 4500 rpms, maybe even more. The lower the RPMs, the better the gas mileage. That being said, you have to know when the engine is lugging.
Beary
Beary