What's best for the engine ?

[motofranz]

1150 RT Oilhead .....

Let's say I want to travel at about 55-60 MPH.(interstate for a long distance ,no hills)
If I am in 5th gear I will be around 4K RPM. or should I take it up a gear to 6th and only do around 3K RPM.
I think it's better for the engine to do the higher RPM 4- 4.5 K

Any thoughts ??

[gambrinus]

I know my 1100R is MUCH happier at the higher RPMs when tooling around at lower "around town" speeds 35-50mph. I haven't noticed a bit of difference when at highway speeds between the higher RPMs and just cruising it in the higher gear. Common sense would suggest that you'd be better off with the engine doing as little work as possible...

[Fang]

TO: Motofranz

According to the owner's manual, your oilhead produces max torque at 3,000 RPM, so if you're truly on a flat surface, you should be OK in 6th gear. My "nose" (instincts) tells me, however,
that the bike will "feel better" in 5th at those speeds, i.e., less vibration and faster response to throttle inputs. Sixth gear is going to feel like you're "lugging it," and sooner or later, that nagging suspicion is going to get on your nerves.

One possible solution: drive either a bit slower or a bit faster! That way, 5th will be the clear choice for the slower speeds and 6th gear will be the only sensible way to go for the faster speeds! Just my .02.:snore :dunno

[lorazepam]

I never even think about 6th till I am doing 70, I love having it there for the highway, but it isn't practical for backroads, or 55-60 mph cruising. When I was on the highway with my roadster, I would gry to find "6th" on the 5 speed once in a while. Now I have it and love it.

[cat0020]

Please, it's a BMW, not a Harley.. always above 3500 rpm... should be happiest between 4500-7000 rpm... make sure there is plenty of oil and airflow.

If you know that you will be traveling for miles without veriance in terrain, on smooth pavement, and you want to make every last drop of gasoline count, sure you can crauise at 3000 rpm.. just don't break the engine in that way.

[kbasa]

Your instincts are right, dood.

[Kenny2]

I do 5th, Higher RPM, but the engine enjoys it. At first I had vibration, but it mellows. I came over from V-Twins, which 4-5000 was top end. I had nitemares of taking it to 7000. :eek But now I don't, just run it.

[MarkF]

My R1100R does much better with higher RPMs (4,000-5,500) usually. One exception is when I'm stuck in stop and go or painfully slow traffic. It's much to sensitive to throttle changes then. So I usually up shift and let the RPMs drop then down shift when it's time to take off.

MarkF