Hi Guys

 

Probably a question that has been asked a million times so apologies in advanced but to put it simply i was wondering what is the right optimal speed, on a flat road, or RPM to change gears. I mean should you change from 3rd to 4th gear as you reach 60kmh etc?

Cheers

Hmm... I don't want to come across are a prick, but seriously, if you have to ask that question, you actually need to ask "should I be riding at all??"

Sorry man, but that is a really bazaar question!!

Sorry Mongrel,

You are not sounding like a prick. After reading the way I asked the question I would think the same.

I was merely asking based on running the engine in from brand new and what is safe and what isn't without putting so much strain on the engine.

First this is my very first bike brand new and secondly having ridden sports bikes most of my life which have much higher rpm range I wanted to ask the question.

I did notice however that there is a section on this in the owners manual.

If it's a brand new bike the dealer should have told you the running in procedure.
It's probably to late now to follow those instructions.
Just get into it a bit and DO NOT let it lug. Start riding it like you are having fun but don't flog the fuck out of it.

Thanks everyone for their input.

Thanks Mongrel for the advice

Strange as it may seem I agree with Boris! You can't do damage over spinning the engine because, of the rev limiter. You will do more damage by not spinning the engine. It's not just the rings you need to bed in it's the rod ends and mains also.

The worst thing you can do is labour the engine. Never ride it lower than 2,500 RPM, allow it to spin. The danger zone for a push rod engine is 8,000 RPM and the rev limiter will not allow you to take it anywhere near there.

Too many people ride a Harley like a chaff cutter and then wonder why they are getting that knocking sound from the small ends.

Drive it through the gears and to do that as Boris said find some hills change gear regularly but DON"T let the revs go below 2,500! The ECU won't let you over rev it.