RPM Manageme t

[MotorcycleMEB]

Hey everyone, I have a 2024 R 1250 RT. I've been scrolling through forums regarding optimal rpm range. On these forums, everyone is saying that there RPMs (on average) is around 2500 to 4500. The BMW guy who sold me it said that he keeps it between 4500 and 6000.

I get both perspectives as too little fuel / rpm lugs the engine, where too much can over heat / damage the engine. Looking at the full rpm scope, it goes to 10k. Do you guys have any insight into which would be better?

Thanks

[Steve398]

I tend to keep it over 3k which allows the engine to pull nicely

[simbo]

I usually ride anywhere between 3 and 6k rpm, if I'm pushing on a bit I might go up to 8k.

[jesim1]

My usual is 2.5 to 5k rpm, in the UK your doing over 80mph at that in top if I remember correctly, and I just don't see the point in revving an engine for revving it's sake? Above 3k and there will always be power on tap for touring or pottering about, if you want to go faster then fair play, that's a different kind of riding, but just sitting in 3rd or 4th to stay legal while having your bike spin over at 5/6k burning gas just seems pointless

[Doctor T]

Same as the above. Only once taken it to the limiter. The power was linear throughout the range. Mostly ride between 70 and 80mph in the UK and 80 to 90mph in Europe. No reason to rev the Boll##ks out of the engine. Stick to 3 to 5 rpm, that gives 80 plus mph

[Minty]

I'm relatively new to this engine, I bought the rt for the same reasons, I can't be bothered with chasing revs and much prefer the nice easily available torque.

I've found anything below 2500rpm and the engine isn't happy.
What is working for me at the minute as I'm still getting used to it;
30mph 3rd gear
40mph 4th gear
50mph 5th gear
6th gear only seems happy at 65mph+
All 1 up with top box and no panniers. I do take it to higher revs a couple of times each ride though.

[exportman]

It depends on what I am looking to achieve.

The bike is happy anything between 2500 and the red line and yes I am not afraid to hit the limiter . Over about 4k the shift cam works . Pootling and cruising happy to sit around 3K riding the twisty roads and looking to crack on. 2nd gear and give it some beans when its safe too.

[Capt Sisko]

The BMW guy who sold me it said that he keeps it between 4500 and 6000.

What a load of codswallop when talking about an R1250RT. Keeping to mid reves might be the case for a M1000 something, Fireblade or R1, but look at what your riding, the RT is a big torquey engined twin. The torque curve of an RT shows monsterous amounts of grunt from from low down and in fact torque peaks at just over 6000prm. That means the thing pulls like a steam train and you don't need to rev it for day to day riding. Compare that to the the torque curve of the M1000R, they make less torque, but look at the BHP curve at mid revs. Drop an M1000 down a gear and your right into the steep part of the big rise in BHP for instant rev, rev, revthrough the gears, which is what the M1000 is all about. Nope, ride the RT using the torque and you'll be suprised at how easily a small twist of the trottle will propel you forwards or pull you out of corners.

Torqu Curves.jpg (110.37 KiB) Viewed 1360 times

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[Arends]

My 1200LC is many bikes in one. For regular riding and with a pillion, 2 - 4k is an easy and not threatening the traffic. And when there is no elevation.
However, the beast that wakes up under me once I pass 5000rpm is addictive, especially when the road begins to rise upwards.