Just read a piece on another group so looking for opinions. This related to what revs to ride your bike at. I know I only ride above 2000 rpm as I find below that I hear the engine and drive chugging and the whole thing sounds like shaking a bucket of chains. Above that it is quite and smooth, the suggestion is that since  the 96 ci produces peak torque at 3200 rpm or so it is best to use higher-end revs or lower gear for normal riding and that is better for longevity of the motor. We all know it is easy to put around using a higher gear and low revs on big ci motors but he suggests the newer motors are rev happy and far less stressed spining between 3000 and 4000+ rpm. So just out of interest what gear do most of us use around town in traffic and when do we use 5th or 6th. This is my first Harley but being a twin cam and designed to rev higher is putting around better or using a lower gear and staying around 3500 better. It will be interesting to get opinions from all forum members. 

Cruising speeds 

3rd for 60-80 

4th for 80-100

5th for anything over 100 

6th dosnt get a mention until around 125

The bike seems to be happier and smoother  in the middle of the rev range (meat of the power). 

I did read somewhere that these newer engines prefer the rev a little bit and it's "better" for the engines longevity 

I  don't know if this is a topic of interest to all but I find it something worth understanding. We have all seen harley's rolling along at low revs and the nature of the big twin makes that easy.

The idea is that at lower rpm with the single pin crank the drag from trying to move forward places more shock through the crank pin, at higher revs the rotational force distributes the stresses and lessens the chance of the crank slipping. In the end this means we should all ride in a lower gear or ride faster.

I only started this thread because I noticed a lot of members logged in but little conversation going on, I thought a topic like this was  something everyone could comment on without technical knowledge, just personal experience. 

I don't need to rev it or keep it in the power range unless i'm blasting through the twisties on a mission and think i'm Mick Doohan.

I think the lugging and chugging talk is a load of hogwash. I have had enough bikes over the years and never had a drama.

Just my opinion and works for me. If I can't ride my bikes right after 34 years then that's my problem.

But refuse to let a motor labour, the noises coming out of a labouring engine scares me to no end,,,,,,,,,,,!

But happy yo let it rev if it wants to,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,