Dumb Question???

[frito]

You might think this is a dumb question but it has kinda been bugging me, when your riding around at slower speed, say in town my bike likes about 3000 RPm, now the only other bike i ever owned was a 96' 1200 sportster and 3000 was a little high, i gues my question is, what is everyones opinion on about where to run for RPMs when in town that is best for the bike?

 

[ct1200]

Is this a xb9 or 12? The gearing is a little different.

But personally I stay above 3k as much as I can.

Again any of the actual sportys have different gearing.
I've got and '04 xl and shes normally happy right about 3200-3500.

If you really want to see where the fun is on the xb take it north of 5k.

 

[nazark_18]

I dont really pay attention to the rpms that much. Just go by feel. 3k seems about right. In my opinion staying in lower gear is better in town incase you have to accelerate to avoid someone.

 

[frito]

Alright and yeah its an 04' xb12r, I usually go by feel as well but lately,,, i guess just listening to the bike and what i hear makes me second guess myself

 

[snrusnak]

If you really want to see where the fun is on the xb take it north of 5k.

I would never cruise above 5k rpm...

I usually cruise anywhere from 2000-4000rpm, depends on speed and what gear I'm in. I'd rather be in 3rd at 2500 rpm than 2nd at 5000 rpm.

Mostly I go by feel as well though, the only time I cruise at the 4000 rpm area is when I need that 6th gear but can't find it at 70+mph.

Remember it's air cooled so cruising at high rpm generates a lot of heat.

 

[Theycallmecrash]

under 300o rpm seems to run like a junker, so i keep 3500rpm plus, figure you cruise 65mph in 5th at about 4K thats what its meant to be at

 

[theMelvster6]

On my xb9 I cruise in 3rd or 4th depending on speed limits and "try" to keep it between 3000-4500. "Trying" implies I tend to have a lot of fun!

 

[frito]

i like these replys thanks everyone,, and really wish that 6th gear was there but i think we all do

 

[anrkizm95]

5000-6500

 

[NinoTheFF]

yeah i'm also around 3-3500 and it doesnt seem out of the ordinary, anything less i feel like im sluggish.

 

[Theycallmecrash]

fact: coming back from vegas maintained 100mph+ the majority of the time, thats 6500+. run it high! it likes it. for those who ride around at 2k dont need a 6th gear

 

[BuellRiderX]

5000-6500

Smart man [cool]

 

[frito]

Really, red line at 7k , that's just wound out

 

[user_deleted]

fact: coming back from vegas maintained 100mph+ the majority of the time, thats 6500+. run it high!

clearly you know absolutely nothing about 55 year old engine architecture design, how to increase longevity of a big-inch air-cooled V-twin, or even the basic design elements of these motors. if you did you'd realize your statement is ridiculous.

 

[WIGGLE2]

Lunatic:
Mine ALWAYS makes funny noises after a one hour cruise at 7100 RPM....Any ideas?!!

 

[snrusnak]

It's funny when people say "it loves to be run hard" or "it likes to cruise at 6000rpm". If you understood how this effects longevity of the engine I'm sure you wouldn't do this.

The engine is not designed to be able to sustain high rpm's for long periods of time.

 

[user_deleted]

Mine ALWAYS makes funny noises after a one hour cruise at 7100 RPM....Any ideas?!!

1 idea. try 3100rpm for an hour and see if the "sound" goes away.

 

[user_deleted]

It's funny when people say "it loves to be run hard" or "it likes to cruise at 6000rpm". If you understood how this effects longevity of the engine I'm sure you wouldn't do this

as usual, well said sean. "loves to be run hard" filed in same category as "ride it like you stoled it." that usually means ride it to local repair shop for oil leaks, big end rod bearing knock and leaking rocker box gaskets.

 

[WIGGLE2]

Hi snrusnak!
If you can't tell, I was being sarcastic with lunatic!! I agree with your statement...they don't like being 'lugged' and they DO make good power up top, but SUSTAINED RPM up there doesn't do them any good!! I DO run mine hard...it sees the rev limiter regularly, but I don't KEEP it up there! I realize that someday I'll pay my dues for this, but I enjoy it! y 'plan' is to build a serious engine this winter. I'd like to find a good "core" engine to start my build. Well...getting of topic here, so....!

 

[frito]

I guess you could say,, if you ask a dumb question, you're bound to get a few dumb answers!!!