RPM range & highway riding

[deadcatbounce]

Ahoy!
I just passed the 1,000 mile break in on my Super Tenere. It’s a great bike! I have a couple of questions though:

What RPM do you generally ride at? I see the recommended shift points in the manual recommend shifting into 6th at 37 mph. I live in a hilly area and if I did that, I would be lugging the engine all the time.

My second question regards a trip some friends have planned later this summer. I’ll have to ride 2,200 miles to get to the ride and another 2,200 miles to get back. Can I get on the highway and ride this thing at 95 mph for hours on end without destroying it? I'm not sure what RPM range that would be but it would be pretty high. I would be interested to hear what others have done.

Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Sierra1]

1) Mine, at 73mph, is right at 4k rpm.
2) Usually, I shift in the 3-3,500k range, depending on a myriad of things.
3) She can do 95mph for extended periods of time, but that's not her forte.
4) I don't think anybody should do 95mph all day long on any bike.

 

[Want2]

YouTuber Ryan has an interesting video out that deals with engine rpm and how to best use the power of your motorcycle

check it out

 

[Checkswrecks]

What RPM do you generally ride at? I see the recommended shift points in the manual recommend shifting into 6th at 37 mph. I live in a hilly area and if I did that, I would be lugging the engine all the time.

My second question regards a trip some friends have planned later this summer. I’ll have to ride 2,200 miles to get to the ride and another 2,200 miles to get back. Can I get on the highway and ride this thing at 95 mph for hours on end without destroying it? I'm not sure what RPM range that would be but it would be pretty high.

Once out of break in and as long as you are not lugging it, the engine will protect itself high rpm-wise. It'll do 95 for long periods.

Your gas consumption at 95 mph could be as low as the high 20s because the Tenere and other big ADV bikes have the aerodynamics of a brick.
Watch your oil consumption with long periods at high rpm. The oil light is actually related to level, not pressure, so take a spare quart or two. When the light comes on you can add 250-300-ish cc's to put it out.

 

[cyclemike4]

Ahoy!
I just passed the 1,000 mile break in on my Super Tenere. It’s a great bike! I have a couple of questions though:

What RPM do you generally ride at? I see the recommended shift points in the manual recommend shifting into 6th at 37 mph. I live in a hilly area and if I did that, I would be lugging the engine all the time.

My second question regards a trip some friends have planned later this summer. I’ll have to ride 2,200 miles to get to the ride and another 2,200 miles to get back. Can I get on the highway and ride this thing at 95 mph for hours on end without destroying it? I'm not sure what RPM range that would be but it would be pretty high. I would be interested to hear what others have done.

Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

I ride my bike pretty easy most of the time and out on the highway I personally like to ride about 75 to 80. I am happy there and the bike is really running pretty easy. How ever there have been a few times when either traffic dictated it or I had miles to cover and ran it at 90 and at times 95 for hours on end. It did absolutely fine. you may want to check the air box when you get home because it may spit a bit of oil up into the air breather running like that. Mine usually does but not enough to even notice it has.

 

[sheikyerbooty]

I don't really use 6th under about 110 Km/h

 

[gv550]

95 mph indicated is likely closer to 85 - 88 actual.

 

[Sierra1]

I think of the physics and forces that come into play if you and the bike become two. 60mph is bad enough. 95? People are not looking for bikes in the first place. 95mph = 139fps. 2 seconds and you've covered a football field.

 

[thughes317]

I think of the physics and forces that come into play if you and the bike become two. 60mph is bad enough. 95? People are not looking for bikes in the first place. 95mph = 139fps. 2 seconds and you've covered a football field.

Well, when your ripping across the High Plains in WY, and the speed limit is 80, and the semis are doing 85-90, you gotta kinda shit or get off the pot simply as a matter of self-preservation.

I do agree with your sentiment though, and those speeds certainly weren't comfortable, but.....when in Rome.

 

[deadcatbounce]

Thanks everyone! I hope I didn't make it sound like I'm some maniac weaving in and out of traffic at 95. It's like what thughes317 said, it's more about keeping up with traffic. To me It feels a little safer being the one passing than being passed. It also doesn't hurt to condense the time driving across Nebraska. No offense to those living in Nebraska, it's just a trip I have probably done 30 times or so.

 

[fac191]

If your doing distance its alot less tiring to stick at about 75 ( speedo ) plus you get much better mpg. You wont really save time going faster as you will put in extra gas stops and its more enjoyable riding.

 

[WJBertrand]

I’ve run mine at 75-85MPH for hours, and at 90-100MPH for shorter periods with no issues. No noticeable oil use.

I don’t think _I_ could do 95MPH all day, that’d be petty exhausting I’d expect!

If that’s how you plan to ride I think a supersport tourer like a Hyabusa or ZX14-R would be a better choice.

 

[MonkeyBut]

What Sierra said, 70-74mph @ 4ishK RPM is the sweet spot. You might even notice the engine loosening/smoothing out on your long trip as the engine 'wears' in. Good luck and safe travels.