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At what RPM do you cruise?
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jeffmazz Offline
Break-In Period

USA
Posts: 33
Joined: Jul 2016
Post: #1
At what RPM do you cruise?
Wondering at what RPM everyone likes to cruise their CB. I try to keep mine at or around the 3,000 RPM range. There's plenty of torque to cruise at much lower RPM but I don't want to lug the engine. What are your thoughts on the optimum cruise RPM?
04-22-2018 04:22 PM
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el duque Offline
1st Service Completed

Seattle
Posts: 140
Joined: Oct 2016
Post: #2
RE: At what RPM do you cruise?
What little I've ridden the bike, I seem to like that 3k mark as well.

[font=Tahoma][color=#0000CD]It is what it is.[/color][/font]

2014 DLX[align=left][/align]
1978 naked GL 1000 (goldwing)
04-22-2018 04:45 PM
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Flynrider Offline
Been There

Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,233
Joined: Apr 2013
Post: #3
RE: At what RPM do you cruise?
On the highway, I like to keep it at 5K rpm. I have a '13 with a 5 speed, so 5th gear at 75 mph is 4250 rpm. That creates a little buzz in the handlebar. The buzz disappears at 5K rpm, so I usually just leave it in 4th unless I'm going faster than 75 MPH.

Phoenix, AZ
2013 CB1100 - Big Red
1993 CB750 Nighthawk - Tahitian Blue
04-22-2018 05:29 PM
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misterprofessionality Online
Road Warrior

Charleston, SC, USA
Posts: 2,266
Joined: Apr 2018
Post: #4
RE: At what RPM do you cruise?
I stick to 4 or a bit more myself, because Even while cruising I am often surrounded by traffic. At 4 I can ramp up to higher speeds much snappier. If I roll full on I can be just under 6k in about a second and have all my torque and almost all my BHP. Also, at 3k the engine brake is kinda weak, and a quick engine brake is a great way to manage distance and speed with finesse. The only time I cruise lower than 4K is on an open highway with absolutely nobody around.
04-22-2018 05:34 PM
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dbarkdoll Offline
Running Like a Top

Arkansas
Posts: 542
Joined: Jul 2017
Post: #5
RE: At what RPM do you cruise?
Around 4000 rpm at 70 mph seems to be my sweet spot.
04-22-2018 05:41 PM
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The ferret Offline
Forum Moderator

Ohio
Posts: 31,279
Joined: Apr 2013
Post: #6
RE: At what RPM do you cruise?
2500-3500 rpms

.
Defender of the Realm
2014 DLX (the pleasure horse)
2021 NC750X DCT (Angry Bird)
04-22-2018 06:08 PM
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Banned Offline
Banned

earth
Posts: 644
Joined: May 2017
Post: #7
RE: At what RPM do you cruise?
I'm in the 3000rpm range as well.

Here's a question for you gurus: the CB (I4) feels best to me at 3000rpms but my Ulysses (V-twin) feels better at 4000rpms.

That's seems somewhat counter intuitive to me but I am no expert on the nuances of different motors.
04-22-2018 07:05 PM
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LongRanger Offline
Been There

Evergreen, CO
Posts: 4,220
Joined: Aug 2015
Post: #8
RE: At what RPM do you cruise?
2500-3500 rpm on my six-speed DLX.

Ride more. Worry less. Tongue
‘12 BMW R1200R Classic
'15 BMW R1200RT
04-22-2018 07:23 PM
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VLJ Offline
High Mileage

California
Posts: 905
Joined: Sep 2017
Post: #9
RE: At what RPM do you cruise?
I try to avoid 3,500-5,000 rpm, as that 1,500 rpm-wide block of midrange is where my bike is at its buzziest. Anywhere above 5,000 rpm or below 3,500 rpm, she's mighty smooth. 5,000-plus rpm means too much speed for ticket-free freeway riding, and 75 mph sees the tach nudging too close to 3,500 rpm and the beginning of the buzzy range, so I tend to do my freeway droning at around 70-72 mph, which is something like 3,000-3200 rpm in sixth. I don't recall the exact rpm for 70 mph, but elsewhere on this board mickey has posted the mph/rpm breakdown.
04-22-2018 07:47 PM
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NightRider Offline
Running Like a Top

Tennessee
Posts: 392
Joined: Aug 2014
Post: #10
RE: At what RPM do you cruise?
I'm in sixth on level straight roads. Fifth at on curvish country lanes which is where God intended motorcycles to roam, especially the amazing CB series. Dunno what rpm that is. I never pay attention to that. I focus on feel.

That engine has enough torque in sixth to stay in that gear and still feel great for many situations. It's so forgiving which means I can be sloppy about being in too high a gear and still pull out of the jam I might be in at the moment.

2014 CB1100 Black Edition - FOUR EVER
04-22-2018 07:55 PM
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