Cruising RPMs

[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.

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!

[GoldOxide_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.

(+1) I agree with this. I believe this 21st century engine is well engineered and toughened.

[Wisedrum]

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.

Besides the much higher fuel consumption and with stronger motorbikes the too easily been reached risk of your driving license, I don't think it's a good idea to ride a bike near or in its limits, though some may stand this test better than other. The CB is probably one of the better kind.

The longer stroke in a RE Bullet is the reason why the manufactor advices the owner not to rev the bike hard for a longer time, because the Bullet is not full speed safe. It's a good idea to stick to this advice.

I think it's even a good idea to ride every motorvehicle beneath its highest power to enjoy it over a long time. If something goes wrong with an engine, it is likely the case while riding or driving it too hard or rev it too high.

Wisedrum

[alprider]

the fifth (sixth) is good for cruising by 30ml/h too or the engine turns round/ smooth too in this area... hey you have not only 2 (big) cylinders !....and if you need temporarily for something much more power and torque/speed so switch some down for any seconds if its not enough only some turn the throttle....so easy is that...

or too
Get to know the machine at which slopes you really have to switch down only for cruising

[Skypilot_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.

Very nice reply there. Thanks for the good details. So either way I just took her out for good ride at 40 degrees F. Not the nicest day up here but I did play with the revs a once she was warmed up. The gears are mighty tall compared to the Vtwin. Launching in 2nd gear Makes for a nice long wind up to 3rd. Dang this is a fun bike, comfortable ride, smooth and easy shifting. Very happy with the purchase!

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Glad to hear that you are pleased so far. It only gets better with time!!

[Cormanus]

[the Ferret]

Yep...great bike.

[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!

[the Ferret]

If you think the gears are too tall, many on the forum who like a more spirited ride go up a tooth on the counter sprocket. More acceration, higher cruising rpms, less top speed.

Be sure and check your tire pressures if you haven't already 36F 42 R