The true beauty of this motorcycle. (another LONG read)

[the Ferret]

If you read my report carefully you will notice I said accelerating from my normal cruising speed of 3500 rpms in 4 th or 3500 rpms in 5 th ... (and that it would be a different case if you revved high in the lower gears ... 1st, 2 nd and 3rd up to 6 grand and then just kept upshifting until you got to 4th and 5 th, and eventually 6 th) ... but since I don't usually ride above 3500, that's where my starting point on my way to 6K began. I found the sundial comment appropriate in that situation. The tach needle doesn't "swing" or "sweep" it climbs laboriously seemingly to take forever to hit that 6k plateau.

I stand by my assessment as I just did it several times today.

VLJ I ride my ST1300 exactly the same 2500-3500 rpms. It saw 100 mph once a few years ago on a trip out west with my wife in Montana ( actually 110). It saw 90 in Utah on my way home from my Cali trip (speed limit was 80). It regularly sees 75 here ( speed limit is 65). I no longer feel the need to push my luck on the highway. From the time I was 16 until about 40 I found out just how fast every motorcycle I rode was. Lived through that somehow, now I ride for my pleasure and my pleasure says take it easy. I was very apprehensive riding as I did today. Everyday I assure my wife when I leave that I will come home to her, and I do everything in my power to keep that promise which includes riding as if I WANT to return home.

I read in some of your posts you are beginning to battle that demon yourself, hence the desire to slow down. You appear not to be ready to surrender though.

Ferret, I meant no disrespect. I don't doubt your report, so perhaps I stated it wrong when I suggested that I disagree with you. I think what I meant to say is that my experience has been different. We all have unique riding styles along with different reasons for being drawn to to this bike. I might describe my style as spirited, but I do strive to be a sensible rider and a smooth operator. I've never come close to speeds described by VLJ. Nor do I have the experience of most people reading this thread. We're all a little different with a common thread and I enjoy the thoughtful conversation here.

Also I'm a little excited about Sunday. I get chatty when I'm excited.

Ferret, I meant no disrespect. I don't doubt your report, so perhaps I stated it wrong when I suggested that I disagree with you. I think what I meant to say is that my experience has been different. We all have unique riding styles along with different reasons for being drawn to to this bike. I might describe my style as spirited, but I do strive to be a sensible rider and a smooth operator. I've never come close to speeds described by VLJ. Nor do I have the experience of most people reading this thread. We're all a little different with a common thread and I enjoy the thoughtful conversation here.

Also I'm a little excited about Sunday. I get chatty when I'm excited.
egleaves, no disrespect felt. As others have mentioned I ride a little differently, although I suspect not so differently than most in my age group that own this bike. I just ride. I don't test the rev limits. Early shifts in the meat of the torque curve provide a satisfying ride for me. Prior to yesterday, in 45,000 miles on 2 CB's I had never revved one over 5000 rpms. Never felt the need. It goes fast enough below that to suit me just fine. You don't need a lot of rpms to go fast on this bike. For those that love to ride this bike in a more spirited manner than myself I say go for it. More power to you, and I've always said the tach goes from zero to 8500 rpms and this motor is safe to use anywhere in that range.

The dyno chart that use2B posted shows exactly why I felt, what I felt, when accelerating from 3500 to 6K. A straight line power curve where the motor just builds steam linearly. There is no hump in the dyno curve where the bike "comes on the cam" and suddenly leaps forward.

It will be interesting to hear both yours and VLJ's thoughts after the bike swap.