The fine art of lugging.

[specialx1]

 

[02roadcling]

I guess I "lug" my engine in 2nd at 30mph also.  

[FLTRI]

I guess I lug my RG in 5th @ 40mph also. 

[02roadcling]

 and to make matters worse I now fear I was lugging my bike at 121 because there was still something left in it. 

[FLTRI]

and to make matters worse I now fear I was lugging my bike at 121 because there was still something left in it. 

Nope I'm sure that's over-revving, not lugging. 

[Scooterfish]

With the 3:15 gearing, I use the 30,40,50 rule. I won't take 3rd under 30 mph, 4th under 40 mph and 5th under 50 mph.
JMHO,
Mike

No Tach on the Heritage, so this is my rule of thumb

[FLTRI]

When folks ask me at the shop how to determine lugging I tell them:
If, when you turn the throttle a bit, there is virtually no acceleration....that's lugging.
If you are going up a long grade and you want to accelerate but when you turn the throttle a bit but the bike doesn't accelerate.....down shift.
If you are above 3000 rpms in any gear you prolly are not lugging.
If you are in 4th, 5th, or 6th gear under 2500 rpms and not getting the throttle response to accelerate you are prolly in too high of gear....down shift.
You can idle through town in 3rd gear under 2000 rpms......just don't try to accelerate quickly or hard, but steady state at just a bit of throttle is not lugging.
That's my explanation FWIW,
Bob

[MaxxV4]

Yup. With no load on the motor, I will let it drop to around 1700/1800 rpm or so. Like if I am following traffic at low speed with the throttle cracked just enough to maintain speed. Won't go lower than that. If you can keep the throttle at 5% and not lose speed, you are not really loading the motor.
JMO,
Mike