Cruising RPMs

[Skypilot_imp]

So again I am new to the forum and riding a 2013. As I mentioned in my intro post I’ve been riding Sportsters and Dynas for a long while. They obviously have sweet zone for cruising with torque in reserve (2750-3000) as well as a spot where they are no longer pulling but just revving (4500-5000). Good old Vtwin. Now for the CB. I’ll find the sweet zone for cruising but where can I wind it out to without taxing the engine excessively.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I don't think I have ever felt the CB engine taxed while "winding it" before hitting either red line or the speed limiter.

[Skypilot_imp]

I don't think I have ever felt the CB engine taxed while "winding it" before hitting either red line or the speed limiter.

That’s good news since I never got close to the red line on the Dyna for fear of engine damage. They aren’t the best when it comes to engineering but have come a long way.

[Wisedrum]

Yes, this is true. The CB with a 5 speed box can't be pushed into its limit only into the limiter or the red zone. But why should one do it? There is always enough torque and power everywhere through the rev band within this kind of a big inline 4 engine layout. At least for me. Some may think different.

Wisedrum

[dbarkdoll_imp]

You don’t need to worry about taxing this engine. Wind her up.

I-4s like to rev, big reason why they are the standard in super sport bikes.

The rev limiter and speed limiter are there to ensure you don’t push the bike too hard.

[Rocky_imp]

Yes, this is true. The CB with a 5 speed box can't be pushed into its limit only into the limiter or the red zone. But why should one do it? There is always enough torque and power everywhere through the rev band within this kind of a big inline 4 engine layout. At least for me. Some may think different.

Wisedrum

I agree. What's the point......but I know some love to do it.
That said, once in a while I like a burst of speed and wind it out a bit in a lower gear, but don't see any point in going to the limit.
But that's just us two

[misterprofessionality]

Others have said you can sit with the revs anywhere, I'll give you my advice:

I have two modes on my CB, Lazy and Fun. Lazy mode is typically cruising at about 2500rpms - 3000rpms. This is my highway commute cruise, or my long distance cruise. I do this because i get superior gas mileage this way and the bike feels like it's practically idling. very smooth, very quiet, but still with plenty of pull, I'm on a 6 speed, so you may sit at a higher rev than me, but you get the Idea. 2500rpms is what I would call a quiet, lazy, but capable cruise. Fun mode is about 4000rpms base. This is where i'm at when i'm storming curves and trying to use the sides of my tires. The power band on the CB11 is really wide, but the best and most responsive pulling seems to be between 4000 and 7000. your torque maxes out somewhere between there. This kind of riding is a little buzzier, but smoothes back out above 5000rpms and the engine brake is solid and much more reliable, allowing me to take a very twisty road without over-working my brake pads.

Everybody rides their own way, though, and the CB is so forgiving, you could just about do whatever you please and you'd never suffer for it.

[Skypilot_imp]

Others have said you can sit with the revs anywhere, I'll give you my advice:

I have two modes on my CB, Lazy and Fun. Lazy mode is typically cruising at about 2500rpms - 3000rpms. This is my highway commute cruise, or my long distance cruise. I do this because i get superior gas mileage this way and the bike feels like it's practically idling. very smooth, very quiet, but still with plenty of pull, I'm on a 6 speed, so you may sit at a higher rev than me, but you get the Idea. 2500rpms is what I would call a quiet, lazy, but capable cruise. Fun mode is about 4000rpms base. This is where i'm at when i'm storming curves and trying to use the sides of my tires. The power band on the CB11 is really wide, but the best and most responsive pulling seems to be between 4000 and 7000. your torque maxes out somewhere between there. This kind of riding is a little buzzier, but smoothes back out above 5000rpms and the engine brake is solid and much more reliable, allowing me to take a very twisty road without over-working my brake pads.

Everybody rides their own way, though, and the CB is so forgiving, you could just about do whatever you please and you'd never suffer for it.

I’m liking these responses. As many know from word of mouth or personal experience the HD IS NOT a very forgiving machine. And as you mention a “buzzier” ride I’m not sure if I would even feel that! I’ve lost feeling in my hands after long rides even with the newer HD machines. The first time I started the CB I had to check ad make sure I actually had it running lol. So today after work I’m off to put her through the paces. Thanks for the feedback

[Rocky_imp]

Others have said you can sit with the revs anywhere, I'll give you my advice:

I have two modes on my CB, Lazy and Fun. Lazy mode is typically cruising at about 2500rpms - 3000rpms. This is my highway commute cruise, or my long distance cruise. I do this because i get superior gas mileage this way and the bike feels like it's practically idling. very smooth, very quiet, but still with plenty of pull, I'm on a 6 speed, so you may sit at a higher rev than me, but you get the Idea. 2500rpms is what I would call a quiet, lazy, but capable cruise. Fun mode is about 4000rpms base. This is where i'm at when i'm storming curves and trying to use the sides of my tires. The power band on the CB11 is really wide, but the best and most responsive pulling seems to be between 4000 and 7000. your torque maxes out somewhere between there. This kind of riding is a little buzzier, but smoothes back out above 5000rpms and the engine brake is solid and much more reliable, allowing me to take a very twisty road without over-working my brake pads.

Everybody rides their own way, though, and the CB is so forgiving, you could just about do whatever you please and you'd never suffer for it.

Well said, I like that
You sound like me and my style of riding, but I may be less aggressive in the curves even though I love them and leaning in.
As Clint said, "A man's got to know his limits."

[apex1_imp]

You could probably bounce your CB off the rev limiter all day and not hurt it. That should be true of any production motor, but as an owner of Harleys for almost 30 years, I would not say it would be safe with them. The problem is that the longer the stroke is of a motor, the faster the piston speeds are as the revs climb. "Square" motors with equal bores and strokes can rev higher safely, as can "oversquare" motors where the stroke is less than the bore, keeping piston speeds lower than long stroke motors. With a long stroke motor, a piston has a lot of ground to cover with every revolution of the crankshaft, resulting in very high piston speeds and a lot heat and stress if revs climb too high.