RPM at 75 mph

[BigDaddy12t]

Took my first ride on the highway today. At 75 mph, the tac read about 3500 rpm's. Is that about right? Just not used to seeing that many rpm's on anything.

[bluewing]

That seems about right, remember these bikes red line at 7500 RPMs.

[BigDaddy12t]

Thanks! So much to learn about these bikes.

[bluewing]

Thanks! So much to learn about these bikes.

Your welcome. You sure picked the right place to learn, this site is full of all the info you need to keep your bike in top shape and lot's of members to help you get through any situation.

[bs175dths]

That rpm is correct. After commuting for a bit, yep, that rpm is correct.
Smooth?
Nice power?
Confy in the saddle?


I am afraid to have to inform you of this, but........ the only way you are going to learn all there is to learn about your 'new' bike, is to ride, ride, ride.

I am sorry to have to be the one to tell you that. LOL

Congrats, and enjoy the view.

-Ride On

[Oldsmores]

Took my first ride on the highway today. At 75 mph, the tac read about 3500 rpm's. Is that about right? Just not used to seeing that many rpm's on anything.

LOL, my Magna red-lined at 10,500, and it was really happy when I let it run up to 9000 every now and then. Even on the Wing, these engines enjoy stretching their legs a little once in a while on their way to cruising speed

[Granpah]

Took my first ride on the highway today. At 75 mph, the tac read about 3500 rpm's. Is that about right? Just not used to seeing that many rpm's on anything.

I agree that 75 mph/3,500 rpm is just about right provided the timing belts are in good shape, plugs are good, timing is right, bike is tuned right, oil and oil and air filters are clean, final drive oil is up to where it's supposed to be .... in other words maintenance is up to date.

At 75 mph/3,500 rpm that's just about the cruising speed it was designed to operate at mile after mile. Also, I believe the way I mainly drive my Wing around my city is probably not the best for my bike because a lot of starting and stopping probably builds up carbon. Trying to be kind to my Wing, occasionally I take her out for an extended 75 mph/3,500 rpm ride under which conditions she seems "happy" ... at least sounds good.

[MSGT-R]

If my 1100 ran @ 3500 at 75, I'd have the greatest gas mileage ever! :-L It's more like 4500.

[robdavspa]

My 1982 Interstate ran 60 mph at 3600 rpm. I was surprised the '84 was so much higher geared.
Bob

[sparky65]

Last summer on tour the digital speed sensor on my 85 LTD quit so no speedometer.I used the GPS I had along which is very acurate and found that at 60 MPH on the GPS my tach read approx. 2800 to 2900 RPM Since then I replaced the digital speed sensor. I also found that the digital speedmeters on the 85 LTD's and most likely the 86 SEI are approx. 3 MPH out at 60 MPH, they read high. According to the GPS at 60 MPH the digial readout on the speedometer says 63 MPH and this was also verified by two other bikes, a Kawi Vulcan 1500 and a Victory 1500 both with mechanical speedometers.
This little glitch was further verified by other 85 LTD and 86 SEI owners.

[bluewing]

Last summer on tour the digital speed sensor on my 85 LTD quit so no speedometer.I used the GPS I had along which is very acurate and found that at 60 MPH on the GPS my tach read approx. 2800 to 2900 RPM Since then I replaced the digital speed sensor. I also found that the digital speedmeters on the 85 LTD's and most likely the 86 SEI are approx. 3 MPH out at 60 MPH, they read high. According to the GPS at 60 MPH the digial readout on the speedometer says 63 MPH and this was also verified by two other bikes, a Kawi Vulcan 1500 and a Victory 1500 both with mechanical speedometers.
This little glitch was further verified by other 85 LTD and 86 SEI owners.

You are right sparky, all the GL1200 I have seen read faster by a few MPH then they are going. I have heard that there is a way to correct it but it is costly, around $200. I just leave mine the way it is, I figure it will help stop me from getting a speeding ticket. :lol:

[Oldsmores]

Last summer on tour the digital speed sensor on my 85 LTD quit so no speedometer.I used the GPS I had along which is very acurate and found that at 60 MPH on the GPS my tach read approx. 2800 to 2900 RPM Since then I replaced the digital speed sensor. I also found that the digital speedmeters on the 85 LTD's and most likely the 86 SEI are approx. 3 MPH out at 60 MPH, they read high. According to the GPS at 60 MPH the digial readout on the speedometer says 63 MPH and this was also verified by two other bikes, a Kawi Vulcan 1500 and a Victory 1500 both with mechanical speedometers.
This little glitch was further verified by other 85 LTD and 86 SEI owners.

You are right sparky, all the GL1200 I have seen read faster by a few MPH then they are going. I have heard that there is a way to correct it but it is costly, around $200. I just leave mine the way it is, I figure it will help stop me from getting a speeding ticket. :lol:

Yeah, unfortunately I know that the speedo reads low, so I speed up to compensate :YMPRAY:

[sparky65]

Last summer on tour the digital speed sensor on my 85 LTD quit so no speedometer.I used the GPS I had along which is very acurate and found that at 60 MPH on the GPS my tach read approx. 2800 to 2900 RPM Since then I replaced the digital speed sensor. I also found that the digital speedmeters on the 85 LTD's and most likely the 86 SEI are approx. 3 MPH out at 60 MPH, they read high. According to the GPS at 60 MPH the digial readout on the speedometer says 63 MPH and this was also verified by two other bikes, a Kawi Vulcan 1500 and a Victory 1500 both with mechanical speedometers.
This little glitch was further verified by other 85 LTD and 86 SEI owners.

"Correction to my post" out on a ride today and at 60 MPH the Tach read 3200 RPM
so I apologize for that,want to set the record straight. The rest of the post is acurate.

[unionjack]

Best gas mileage will be in top gear, with no stop and go or hills or wind, with the RPM's kept at 3000.

Of course I am usually going 80-83 indicated with my RPM's around 3500-4200, or around town going from light to stop sign and back, so my gas mileage is lousy compared to others.