How hard to push the motor?

[Jed]

I've heard recently from two long term boxer guys that the boxer engine doesn't like to be babied and that I should ride it with the rev's up. Now being an average guy that doesn't enjoy running afoul of the local LEO's, I tend to ride in the 3K to 5K range of RPM's and typically about 10 mph over the posted speed limit. I avoid running the engine under load below 3K but by the time I'm up to 5K I feel like a menace to society or some kind of old man racer wanna-be. I just can't seem to get used to running higher rev's at slow travel speeds. I should mention that in this scenario I'm riding back-roads in NH - sparsely populated roads with decent and constant curves - typical speed limit ≈ 30-35 mph. In addition, like many my age, I can't afford to put my license at risk since I travel for work. I love a fast blast as much as anyone, but these days I can't seem to justify breaking the local traffic laws so drastically.

The motor certainly feels more lively at 5K and up, but I feel like a dork. I seem to be perfectly happy riding around a bit faster than the slow pokes but in near silence since my stock exhaust makes barely any sound at all at those engine speeds ≈ 3-4K.

So what do the long-term boxer guys here say? I love the boxer, even or maybe especially at 3-4K rpm's. I move nearly silently though the landscape, bothering no one. Children and old people don't cower as they see me approach. I just feel more civilized at 3-4K than at 5-6K. Thanks in advance for your input, comments & advice.

[NakedRider]

First and foremost "ride your own ride". Ride within your comfort zone and don't worry about what others think or what they may be doing. That's the first rule of riding to me.

Secondly don't worry if you want to rev it up a bit. I've had NUMEROUS boxers and have "packed the red line" on many occasions and usually run in the upper end of the RPM zone (thru the canyons) with no ill effects. I've never had any leaks or mechanical problems related to my riding style. I usually ride with guys on sport bikes (1098's, R1's, CBR's) so I have to push it a bit to keep up. I've never had a problem from the bike while doing so.

[jkhomes]

I rode my '97 1100 RT like that most of the time. With the '09 1200R I just bought, I can't help but wind it out. It is just too much fun. I just wish the tach was easier to see.

[deilenberger]

I see nothing wrong with your riding style.. so far my '07 with 45k on it seems happy with the same style. Once in a great while I'll feel playful and bounce it off the rev-limiter (which is very abrupt BTW..) but in general, I shoot for "smooth" in a riding style. Sounds like you're the same.

Rubber side down!

[mogu83]

Jed,
You'll do ok in the 3-4K range as long as your not pulling a 16' Boston Whaler up Mt. Washington. If I'm using light throttle I'm usually in the 3-4K range but if your going to hit it (ie: playing in the twisties) then your better off keeping in in the 5-6K range. Naturally IMHO.

Mt. Washington :(Parking lot on top)

[Dr. Strangelove]

Speaking from an 1150 perspective, but prob germaine ...

HARD. they love it. A place like Deals Gap? You flog it. I don't around the neighborhood, but when I want to, I do and am always amazed how good the engine feels just after.

[creamora]

I tend to ride in the 3K to 5K range of RPM's and typically about 10 mph over the posted speed limit. I avoid running the engine under load below 3K but by the time I'm up to 5K I feel like a menace to society or some kind of old man racer wanna-be. I just can't seem to get used to running higher rev's at slow travel speeds. I should mention that in this scenario I'm riding back-roads in NH - sparsely populated roads with decent and constant curves - typical speed limit ≈ 30-35 mph.

Ditto here Jed. I just got started this week on my commute. 1.5 hours of CT rolling hills and backroads each way, avg speed 40 with some sprints at 50-60 mph, 3-5k on the tach. Every town I pass through has a speed trap and a school zone.

I find I'm spending most of my ride getting reacquainted after a long winter and managing the low speed torque and relearning braking with the ABS. I'm not afraid to let her chug a bit and use that torque at low speed, afterall she's a twin down there, just add power and she'll perk up. Plus, with winter gear on it's hard not to feel stiff and be conservative in riding style.

I know I'm way too gentle with her, but then she's my Mistress and I'm hoping for a long relationship. The great thing about this bike is that it can suit so many different riding styles - and the full range of rpm's.

[Jed]

Guys,

Thanks so much for your comments and insights. You gotta love this engine. It just seems to accommodate any riding style with equal grace. I suspect my riding conditions are a lot like those of you in the semi-rural NJ & CT areas.

Creamora's description of NW CT sounds just like my commute - relatively short higher speed stretches between small town centers with their speed traps and school zones. Of course I'm being a bit more conservative this time of year as well as I dust off the cobwebs and wrestle with the sand and debris all over the roads.

On the up-side of the recommendations to run the engine at higher rev's, I finally experienced the "sewing machine" sensation that kicks in over 5K. This motor properly tuned is a wondrous thing - scary smooth at the upper rev's range.

Oh and Mogul, good advice! I'll try to remember to leave the boat and trailer at home when I'm headed up the autoroute! But I have been wondering about how to use the R12R to move the sea kayak around.

Cheers all, thanks again.

[LumpyCam]

I love throwing high revs at our boxer and it always feels happy to comply.

Keep in mind fuel economy and oil usage are directly related to a significant degree by how hard you push the bike. I range from 29 to 60 MPG and that all depends on riding style. Oil use is similar with zero to 250ml per 1,000km.

I only pay attention to this when i'm in rural areas were there could be 200km+ between fuel stops and ride that tank a bit easier (I got 66mpg through Utah once).

[creamora]

Keep in mind fuel economy and oil usage are directly related to a significant degree by how hard you push the bike. I range from 29 to 60 MPG and that all depends on riding style. Oil use is similar with zero to 250ml per 1,000km.

Good point to pass on Dan.

Jed, my commute is all too predicable. In that driving I described the display tells me I'm getting a solid immovable 48mpg. My phone mileage calculator has it more like 50-55. There has been discussion of the accuracy of the onboard computer so do your own math. Also factor in the loadout personals: i.e. I'm 5'-10", 165lbs and load 20lbs of work stuff cargo in the system cases.

On the (dino) oil side, I'm breaking in so I'm adding about 250ml per 800-1,000 miles which seems to be the norm.

[cardingtr]

I push my new to me 2007 R12R to the limits on two SMRs and I'm happy to say, it held it's ground with CBRs, GSXs and FJR as long as we are on 130's tops. The bike is happy up in revs but my only gripe is I cant get smooth shifting between 4th-5th at high speeds. We are talking about 110-120's mph.
I also thought it handled better than my 2008 FJR on the twisties. I'm averaging 31mpg so far.

[ContraMoto]

"...the boxer engine doesn't like to be babied ...."

You hear the same nonsense with car motors. Engines don't "like" or "dislike" various operating ranges. They might put out more or less horsepower at one or another range, or be more or less efficient. But, the cold hard fact of the matter is that revolutions wear out engines. Higher revs...more wear for a given operating timespan. My uncle was an engine engineer -- designed them for Caterpillar, GM, Cummins,...worked on race engines too, and dragsters. He drove his own cars in the lower rev ranges so they would last longer.

One reason modern engines last so much longer is big tall overdrive transmissions. A family car/minivan/SUV will go 75mph at barely 2500 rpm these days. A generation ago, that was a 4000 rpm cruising speed.

You rev the motor when you want more horsepower; you keep it lower when you don't want more horsepower. But to rev it artificially high for no reason other than some belief that the engine "likes" it....silliness.

[mogu83]

I think it's a mater of using the engine in the RPM range that it was designed to be run at. Think about where a Cummings or a Cat puts out it's max horsepower and where a high performance formula car puts out its max power.

I worked at a Renault dealer in the early sixties and the biggest problem we had was American drivers were used to big eights and sixes that could chug along at low RPMs. They wouldn't let the little engines rev up and caused all kinds of engine and drive-train problems.

Snap the throttle open at 2,000 RPM in third gear and listen to what your R1200R tells you. Then try the same on a healthy V8.