What RPM Range at Highway Speed? [Archive]

BrklynAl

08-13-2006, 04:01 PM

BradfordBenn

08-13-2006, 05:16 PM

Have you broken in the engine yet? That is going to be different then riding it all the time.

I run on my R1150RT in the 3 to 4 range on the highway. It seems to work for me.

dsimon9

08-13-2006, 06:15 PM

Hello:

I run my r1150r at around 4k rpm, which translates to around 80mph. Got to love them 75mph speed limit states. :)

At 3k rpm I am cruising at 60mph.

Dex

PUDGYPAINTGUY

08-13-2006, 07:24 PM

On the GS Adventure I run about 75mph at approx 5K rpm. Remember though the Adventure has a slightly lower first and sixth gear and so your bike may run a little lower rpm than this. Between 4-5K on mine is a sweet spot, lots of power left if I need it and it seems as though gas mileage is good at this range.

j-budimlya

08-13-2006, 08:16 PM

I ride in 6th gear on the highway....when cruising....5th gear when passing...and 4th gear when playing....and 3rd gear in the mountain twisties.....

that works out to anywhere from just under 3000 to 7000 rpm....

The bike loves to spin fast.....and hates to accelerate or climb hills below 3000 rpm.....and really should be above 4000 rpm to be doing any climbing or playng (accelerating)....

Run that puppy....it will love you for it.... :dance

Sully

08-13-2006, 09:12 PM

After years of being a conservative cager and 15 years of riding the Harley, I've not been comfortable revving an engine. The guys at Country Rode BMW (near Rochester) told me to shift it at 5000 rpm and 'don't be afraid to ride it like you stole it'.

From that point I've RARELY taken it much over 5 grand, but it does seem to enjoy a life above 4 grand.

Like the previous thread, mine doesn't like lugging (below 3000rpm).

rinty

08-14-2006, 08:18 AM

Al:

The new 1200 boxer engines are very flexible, and can be operated through a wide rpm range. 4 to 5 thousand on the highway would be just fine. The earlier airheads and oilers, which are not as smooth running, seem to work best in that range.

Rinty

BubbaZanetti

08-14-2006, 09:05 AM

spent all afternoon yesterday at 60-90 in 3rd and 4th only, they really don't mind..........

cruising though - short distance 80 in 5th, long distance 85 in 6th...........generally

screwtop

08-14-2006, 11:27 AM

j-budimlya

08-14-2006, 11:59 AM

I usually run the 02 GS in 5th on the highway, and at 75 (indicated) it's spinning at about 4,600. Around 5,100 @ 80 mph. I usually don't use 6th until I hit 85 or so. At 80 in 6th I'm tacking 3,800 and the bike seems to be really lugging.

I am doing 82mph at 4000 rpm in 6th....on the GPS.....nice cruising speed depending on the posted limits...

NorseMan9

08-14-2006, 08:53 PM

j-budimlya

08-14-2006, 09:59 PM

I've been interested in this also as it pertains to gas mileage. I've been disappointed that I can't seem to get more than 37 to 38 mpg.

If I try to keep it around 4k rpm on average for a tank I do well. If I go up to 4,500 to 5,000, it drops to about 30 mpg. Anyone else see this too?

If it hit it hard in the local mouintains....I can get the fuel mileage down to the low 30's

and the best I can do while cruising at 80 on the highway is about 38-39 mpg..

but I bet if you would cruise at 65-70 in 6th for a long time...you would get low 40's...

I am figuring the milage based on true miles traveled....not the stock odometer....I changed out my speedo hub to make for truer mileage...

PAULBACH

08-15-2006, 06:07 AM

I own 3 BMWs. Each one has its own personality and prefers to run at a different speed. But then there are days and terrain where the need is different. After awhile you will sense where "the grove" is and when the engine is running smooth. You wouln't even have to glance at the tach.

Generally the engines seem to like to run at 3500 to 4500 - except when they first start.

Go with the flow and feel the force. :twirl

dan_forker

08-15-2006, 08:29 AM

I would agree with your collective observations about rpm's. My 2005 RT seems to be happiest between 4000 and 5000 or above. Really winds up freely all the way to the redline from 4000 and up. Amazing for a large displacement twin, in my opinion. In fact, cracking the throttle at 3000 rpm in third gear can be a real thrill. The first time I did that I was midway through a corner in Arkansas and found myself wishing for a seat belt just to stay on the bike. Love my RT!

I was glad to see your observations about gas mileage. I was beginning to think my RT was the only one that didn't get 50mpg all the time. I will generally get in the range or 39 to 42 mpg at highway speeds (70 to 80 mph) but one thing that I think I have observed is that using regular or mid-range fuel with ethanol(E-15) will cut the mileage by two or three mpg. Mid-range without ethanol will do as well as high test but is generally unavailable in this part of the country. I'm curious if that is consistent with what the rest of you are experiencing. I'm not sure if it is worth the expense of using high-test, without ethanol to get the better mileage. I never detect any pinging regardless of the fuel I use so I guess the computer is working well.

Dan Forker

screwtop

08-15-2006, 08:46 AM

I've been interested in this also as it pertains to gas mileage. I've been disappointed that I can't seem to get more than 37 to 38 mpg.

If I try to keep it around 4k rpm on average for a tank I do well. If I go up to 4,500 to 5,000, it drops to about 30 mpg. Anyone else see this too?

My mileage stays fairly consistent w/ the GS within the 4,200 - 5,000 RPM range. The thing that I noticed having an impact on my mileage was tire pressures more than anything else, which seemed to gain me about 2.5 mpg when I started running higher pressures.

BubbaZanetti

08-15-2006, 08:53 AM

I've been interested in this also as it pertains to gas mileage. I've been disappointed that I can't seem to get more than 37 to 38 mpg.

If I try to keep it around 4k rpm on average for a tank I do well. If I go up to 4,500 to 5,000, it drops to about 30 mpg. Anyone else see this too?

tires inflated fairly hard, on long trips 85-90mph on the slab i'm usually running about 4500ish and my milage is about 40mpg. hard riding day on the backroads it might drop to 36mpg, never much below that though

kreinke

08-15-2006, 11:00 AM

After years of being a conservative cager and 15 years of riding the Harley, I've not been comfortable revving an engine. The guys at Country Rode BMW (near Rochester) told me to shift it at 5000 rpm and 'don't be afraid to ride it like you stole it'.

From that point I've RARELY taken it much over 5 grand, but it does seem to enjoy a life above 4 grand

Ditto here with my R1150R. It seems happiest between 3500 and 4500. I especialy love twisty roads in 4th gear. Good engine braking coming in and launch power coming out. Hooah!

lkchris

08-15-2006, 11:07 AM

Lot's of mythology here.

NO engine ever built likes to "run hard."

Period.

BobsST

08-15-2006, 12:05 PM

R1200ST here so same engine and transmission. Engine performs well anywhere over 3500 RPM which is around 70 mph in sixth. We did 1200 miles over this last weekend in N.E Oregon on twisty roads, two-up with all the bags on and averaged 50 mpg.

BubbaZanetti

08-15-2006, 12:09 PM

Lot's of mythology here.

NO engine ever built likes to "run hard."

Period.

i don't think anyone's advocating running the bike at 7500 rpm all day long,
but it's equally as bad to lug a bike around in high gear at 2700 rpm as well..........

Cliffy777

08-15-2006, 12:18 PM

R1150Rockster.
RPMS - I keep it right around 4-5,000.
MPG Average is 38-39mpg. If I do all slab (rare for me) I have had it up as high as 45mpg

j-budimlya

08-15-2006, 12:19 PM

i don't think anyone's advocating running the bike at 7500 rpm all day long,
but it's equally as bad to lug a bike around in high gear at 2700 rpm as well..........

And I do disagree....I believe that engines designed for high rpm use...like it that way...

they are designed to breath and exhaust best that way...

hence, they run better that way...

Of course, a steam engine is a clear exception...slower is better....

jm1515

08-15-2006, 05:14 PM

I do twisties all day long in 4th or 5th doing 60~70+. 3800~5000rpm. A lot of times in 6th on the longer straights w/ no traffic.
If I'm on the highway (not often), I'll be in 6th at anything over 65.
In the 14800mi since I got my R new last May25, I average 47.51mpg.....
:brow

ultracyclist

08-15-2006, 05:52 PM

On my '02 R1150R, terrain and weather not withstanding, I do not like to ride in that 6th gear unless I can hold about 3500 + or- rpm. Below that, the engine feels sluggish on even light acceleration (therefore, downshift).

When in doubt, drop down one gear.

At night, I slow down by at least 10mph on the highway, and I spend my time going back an forth with 4th and 5th depending on traffic.

Those boxers are tough little powerplants, and the bike will tell you when it is in that "sweet spot".

torags

08-15-2006, 06:40 PM

And I do disagree....I believe that engines designed for high rpm use...like it that way...

they are designed to breath and exhaust best that way...

hence, they run better that way...

Of course, a steam engine is a clear exception...slower is better....

Hi Jimbo...

I agree.

Especially during breakin. Variable high rpms is what works.

Older performance cars using leaded gas needed to be blown out (carbon from valves as a result of city driving).

Loading is worse than high rpms.

kkirkby

08-15-2006, 10:55 PM

This is something that I've always been interested in too and often inquire with other riders of all types of bikes what kind of RPM's they're comfortable turning on their bikes.
For whatever silly reason, I've always strayed to the conservative side and typically keep my '95 GS in th 3500-4500 range, which translates to 65 to 80 mph. I do ride in the Colorado and California deserts often...very little traffic, good visibility...and love to run at 90+ but only do for a few minutes at a time because I don't feel too comfortable running for long periods over 5000. Having said that, however, every experienced oilhead rider I've ever talked to maintains that these engines will run at 5000+ all day long with no complaints.

As a side note, my bike yields it's maximum vibration between 3,900 and 4,300 (unfortunately typical highway speeds) but smooths out at 4,500+. Maybe in need of some throttle body fine tuning at that rpm.

j-budimlya

08-15-2006, 11:06 PM

Hi Jimbo...

I agree.

Especially during breakin. Variable high rpms is what works.

Older performance cars using leaded gas needed to be blown out (carbon from valves as a result of city driving).

Loading is worse than high rpms.

And I had a chance to blow out the pipes this weekend....150 miles of hitting it hard in the local mountains...only hit the rev. limiter 4 or 5 times....getting pretty good at sensing when the bike is getting close....I bet my fuel mileage was no better than 35mpg for the day....probably burned a bit of oil too...

Damn these bikes are fun when you push them a bit... :groovy it's music to the ears....

BrklynAl

08-16-2006, 05:23 PM

Thanks for all the responses!

I was afraid that I should be routinely reving real high to keep the engine happy - 4k to 5k is about where I keep it except for special occasions (<---never remember how to spell this word).

Only have about 2K miles on the bike and have pretty much stuck with easing up in the rpms and shutting the throttle to drop down a few hundred revs to let parts get to know each other.

Seems to be working pretty well - great fun to ride the RT - looking forward to some nice trips next Spring. Three cheers for retirement.

Thanks,

Alan

Bfish

08-17-2006, 07:44 AM

good question and obviously the answers vary. on my 2004 rt highway habits typically begin at 73-75mph in 5th gear which equates to 5k rpms +/-. i'm on 95 quite a bit and the area i begin in is fairly heavy with traffic. 10 mi north or south it opens up and i jump to 6th gear and never get below 4k rpms which translates to 75mph and up as the rpms rise. all mph is from my gps. rarely look at the speedometer...most of my checks are to the tach and gps speed. 5k rpm in 6th is motoring. i rarely ever ride at rpms lower than 4k and typically at 5k except for slower "around town" excursions.
:bikes

simonthebrit

09-04-2006, 10:31 AM

I am on my second GS . My first was smashed when a Ford Explorer pulled across my path making a left turn.
My 2004 1150 GS has a wonderful overdrive gearbox . I use 6th gear as soon as I can when commuting to work ( 42 miles each way ) . I show about 3200 rpm at 70 in top gear . I average about 46 mpg on a US gallon .
If I were to ride with friends on their sports bikes I would use the gearbox freely .
I think it ridiculous to say you never use 6th gear or that you only use 6th above 80mph . I mean what is the point ? The bike puts out so much torque that you mayas well use 6th more often , unless you are actually racing other bikes .
If beer , or food be the prize for getting there first ....then let the revs run free!!!!!
BMW state somewhere in their owners handbook that the GS is happy to run all day at 7200 rpms..........the only snag in America is that there are silly speed limits and too many stop signs!!!!
PS what is all this talk I hear from Iron Butt Heads about rear drive line bearing failure on 1150 GS?????

Simon G Bentley,
Joshua Tree, Ca

Fritzc

09-04-2006, 08:17 PM

RPM = Revolutions Per Minute

RPMS or RPM's = Revolutions Per Minutes?

Sorry, just being ANAL tonight!

DwayneH

09-05-2006, 11:43 AM

How does "they like to be ridden hard" translate into RPMs?

I'm new to BMW and the R1200RT and would like some advice on speed/RPM relationships.

Should the engine be kept in the 4K-5K range at highway speed - or is that too low.

Probably a naive question, but I'm looking for general ideas about "proper" treatment of the engine, if there is such a thing.

Thanks,

Alan

Ridden Hard is really more of a myth then anything. Any motor 'ridden hard' will often cost far more to keep alive. IMHO. When a dealer says 'Ride it like you stole it', that's only a sales pitch, for the service department. I usually ride in the 4K range, shifting usually around 4,500RPM ~ 5000RPM. The faster you spin the motor, the quicker parts will do it for the last time. This is true for any mechanical marvel. Enjoy the bike, but don't abuse it. Constant trips to redline, is abusive.

JimMoore

09-06-2006, 04:29 AM

As a point of reference, my '02 GS (71K miles) has literally thousands of miles between 6K RPM and the red line. My '97 RT (sold at 100K miles) was the same. My new (to me) R1100S is going to suffer even worse abuse. These engines are tough, tough, tough. Ride it like ya stole it.

Jim Moore

jacco

09-06-2006, 12:57 PM

I think it ridiculous to say you never use 6th gear or that you only use 6th above 80mph . I mean what is the point ? The bike puts out so much torque that you mayas well use 6th more often , unless you are actually racing other bikes .

What he said. I like to keep mine at 3500 rpm or so when at a constant speed. I don't see the point in keeping the revs up when I'm not in a hurry. And my bike doesn't consume any noticable amount of oil, unless I run it at 5k rpm for an extended period of time (e.g. long streches of highway, since mine's only a 5-speed)...