At what RPM do you cruise?

[jeffmazz_imp]

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?

[el duque_imp]

What little I've ridden the bike, I seem to like that 3k mark as well.

[flynrider]

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.

[misterprofessionality]

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.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Around 4000 rpm at 70 mph seems to be my sweet spot.

[the Ferret]

2500-3500 rpms

[Banned_imp]

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.

[LongRanger_imp]

2500-3500 rpm on my six-speed DLX.

[VLJ_imp]

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.

[NightRider_imp]

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.