Cruising RPMs

[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

I'll confess I'm interested in your assessment. this modern inline 4 is worlds apart from the originals made in the 70's and 80's. it's a magic carpet ride by comparison. Hope you have fun!

I'll confess I'm interested in your assessment. this modern inline 4 is worlds apart from the originals made in the 70's and 80's. it's a magic carpet ride by comparison. Hope you have fun!
My assessment is a giant grin and frozen hands. I stayed out too long in the 40 degree weather here but could not get myself to head home. I took a nice long 10 mile secondary road loop. Twice just for fun. The machine is a magic carpet ride as you said. My original CB was my first bike with nothing to compare to. But after that there was a KZ 1100, a big 1500 Vulcan, and too many Sportsters and Dynas to remember. Not sure why I didn’t go back to an I-4 Earlier. So long story short, better late than never. Hydraulic clutch? Try getting a 2 finger pull on a Dyna. I was nearly bending the clutch lever for the first 20 minutes until I realized what I was doing. And the throttle is light and crisp. Handling... I have been used to standing on my pegs when I see a bump or service cover coming my way. I confess I was doin the same out of habit until I decided to just see what happened. Not sure yet what the CB doesn’t has for suspension but it absorbs the New England roads like a dream. Leaning into the turns was a piece of cake and felt like I could lean a bunch more if I desired. No nasty front end dive when braking either. Granted my last Dyna weighed in near 675lbs. I think that was DRY weight!