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+--- Thread: At what RPM do you cruise? (/showthread.php?tid=1500)
At what RPM do you cruise? - jeffmazz_imp - 04-22-2018
Wondering at what RPM everyone likes to cruise their CB. I try to keep mine at or around the 3,000 RPM range. There's plenty of torque to cruise at much lower RPM but I don't want to lug the engine. What are your thoughts on the optimum cruise RPM?
RE: At what RPM do you cruise? - el duque_imp - 04-22-2018
What little I've ridden the bike, I seem to like that 3k mark as well.
RE: At what RPM do you cruise? - flynrider - 04-22-2018
On the highway, I like to keep it at 5K rpm. I have a '13 with a 5 speed, so 5th gear at 75 mph is 4250 rpm. That creates a little buzz in the handlebar. The buzz disappears at 5K rpm, so I usually just leave it in 4th unless I'm going faster than 75 MPH.
RE: At what RPM do you cruise? - misterprofessionality - 04-22-2018
I stick to 4 or a bit more myself, because Even while cruising I am often surrounded by traffic. At 4 I can ramp up to higher speeds much snappier. If I roll full on I can be just under 6k in about a second and have all my torque and almost all my BHP. Also, at 3k the engine brake is kinda weak, and a quick engine brake is a great way to manage distance and speed with finesse. The only time I cruise lower than 4K is on an open highway with absolutely nobody around.
RE: At what RPM do you cruise? - dbarkdoll_imp - 04-22-2018
Around 4000 rpm at 70 mph seems to be my sweet spot.
RE: At what RPM do you cruise? - the Ferret - 04-22-2018
2500-3500 rpms
RE: At what RPM do you cruise? - Banned_imp - 04-22-2018
I'm in the 3000rpm range as well.
Here's a question for you gurus: the CB (I4) feels best to me at 3000rpms but my Ulysses (V-twin) feels better at 4000rpms.
That's seems somewhat counter intuitive to me but I am no expert on the nuances of different motors.
RE: At what RPM do you cruise? - LongRanger_imp - 04-22-2018
2500-3500 rpm on my six-speed DLX.
RE: At what RPM do you cruise? - VLJ_imp - 04-22-2018
I try to avoid 3,500-5,000 rpm, as that 1,500 rpm-wide block of midrange is where my bike is at its buzziest. Anywhere above 5,000 rpm or below 3,500 rpm, she's mighty smooth. 5,000-plus rpm means too much speed for ticket-free freeway riding, and 75 mph sees the tach nudging too close to 3,500 rpm and the beginning of the buzzy range, so I tend to do my freeway droning at around 70-72 mph, which is something like 3,000-3200 rpm in sixth. I don't recall the exact rpm for 70 mph, but elsewhere on this board mickey has posted the mph/rpm breakdown.
RE: At what RPM do you cruise? - NightRider_imp - 04-22-2018
I'm in sixth on level straight roads. Fifth at on curvish country lanes which is where God intended motorcycles to roam, especially the amazing CB series. Dunno what rpm that is. I never pay attention to that. I focus on feel.
That engine has enough torque in sixth to stay in that gear and still feel great for many situations. It's so forgiving which means I can be sloppy about being in too high a gear and still pull out of the jam I might be in at the moment.