Topic: 750 - Low RPM's - bad news???

[Johnie]

This is a subject I have not seen on here.  What do you guys consider is running the engine at too low of RPM to possibly cause damage or "boggy down" or "lugging" the engine.  Today I was checking and noticed in 4th gear at 50MPH it is at 4,000 RPM.  In 5th gear at 50 MPG it is at 3,400 RPM.  Does not feel like I am loading up the plugs or cyclinders, but it does sound "freer" at the higher 4,000 RPM.  I am not an aggresive rider on my KO and I know some guys like to push it close to the red zone.  Just curious as to what your take is on this and what RPM you like to keep that bike at.  Thanks

[Tower]

I like to upshift at 5,000 rpm and downshift at 4,000 rpm.  This seems to be a zone free of bogging, hesitation, and is full of power.  Although there doesn't seem to be a problem as low as 3,000 rpm or as high as 7,000 rpm.  But, the engine just doesn't sound as good shifting as in 4 - 5K range.

[754]

When they were new, you would read things like..

So smooth you can accelerate in high gear from 20mph..

[Bob Wessner]

Provided I have a stretch of quiet road, I can idle down to 1500 RPM in 5th and smoothly accelerate from there with no lugging, no great handfuls of throttle mind you. It's one of my occasional "how is she running checks."

[andy750]

With 18/48 sprockets Id typically ride at 60mph, 4000rpm (top gear) -this was my basic check everything is good speed. At lower rpms you can still accelerate steady enough in top gear but for regular shifting gears its in the 3000- 5000 rpm range. Last couple of weekends I was riding in top gear at 6000-7000 rpm for 50+ miles (sprockets 17/48) with no ill effect.

cheers
Andy