09-01-2014, 08:30 AM
(09-01-2014, 01:38 AM)The Spaceman_imp Wrote: In another thread someone posted "it's roughest about 1800-2K rpm." This morning I took a ride to see what my bike was like at those RPMs.
The first thing I noticed is that this is not a rev range I'd cruise at on this bike. I really had to work at it to keep the engine at that speed. My '77 Low Rider would putt along around 2k But, the HD's "tractor engine" flywheel was about 40lbs, the stroke was almost 2X the bore; that engine was built for torque vs. HP. The Honda will ride along at around a 2k engine speed with no noticeable surging etc., but other than this test I wouldn't ride it that way. It felt like I was trying to "lug" the engine. Normally I'd just be winding the revs right past 2-3k to the next shift point. Steady-speed RPMs are usually 3K plus.
If you haven't done it, next time you're out on the bike try riding at 1,500 - 2,000 RPM and see what you think. It'll do it in any gear, but it sure feels weird to me.
That was me. You're right that this is not an rpm that anyone would spend much time in. I only noticed it after others had posted about it last year. The only time I experience it is during the last block of my ride to work. It's one of those streets with multiple speed humps, so I just poke along just above idle speed. The exhaust note gets a "spluttery" sound and it feels a tiny bit rougher than normal.
I'd like to stress that I personally don't consider this a problem and wouldn't bother doing anything about it. During normal riding, the time the bike spends below 2K rpm is ridiculously small. Also, if I'm launching from a dead stop, I can't feel/hear it under normal acceleration. It's only evident if I try and hold it steady around 10-15 mph.