Engine Speed Range

[Samiam]

I got my new R1150R last week and am currently going through the familiarization phase. (I haven't had a bike since 1985).

What is the preferred rpm range for the bike? (Search yielded no hits). It seems happy enough at 3,000 revs in top gear but I'm concerned this is lugging the engine. The Maintenance Instruction book supplied with the bike indicates it will accelerate from 37-87 mph in 10.16 seconds in 6th gear. Can the engine actually go down to 37 mph in top gear? Is this recommended?

This is my first BMW; I rode for 20+ years on Triumphs and a Sportster and I still find myself trying to shift the brake pedal. This is the first bike I've ever had that shifted on the left!

[Deans BMW]

The engine in your Boxer is happy anywhere from 1500 RPM to the rev limiter.

Lugging is low RPM with a HIGH throttle setting. You cac ride all day at 1500 RPM in 6th gear with a LOW throttle setting. cruising at 3,000 R's in 6th is perfectly OK.

[Samiam]

Thanks! That's incredible. This engine is full of surprises.

I considered an F650GS for gas mileage but wanted a larger load capacity. My first tank of gas yielded nearly 55 mpg.

[leno]

The engine in your Boxer is happy anywhere from 1500 RPM to the rev limiter.

Lugging is low RPM with a HIGH throttle setting. You cac ride all day at 1500 RPM in 6th gear with a LOW throttle setting. cruising at 3,000 R's in 6th is perfectly OK.

The engine is not happy at 1500 rpm in top. Any slight incline and you will find the engine lumpy and grumpy. Try and acelerate for there in top and you will be reminded quite firmly that it's two big pots banging around. I never go that slow unless I'm in 1st or 2nd. I stick to 2000 minimum to keep the beast happy.

[KHaynes]

Although my RT and GS are a bit different to your R, there's not much difference in their tolerance of operating outside the optimum RPM range.
The engines are happiest above 3000 rpm with the engine being significantly smoother and responsive over 3500 rpm.

I've never been one to push the revs to the limiter at any time but every now and then it's nice to sink the boot in and take the revs over 5000. This is where you see the engine really perform.

For cruising on the open road at 100km/hr in top gear, I am humming at a touch over 3000 rpm. When heading towards outback areas where speeding is less of a concern, the bike sings nicely and reasonably economically at 4000 rpm.

The boxers are far from being called high performance engines but they do have good torque through a wide rpm range which is very suited to the type of riding for which they are designed.

[wncbmw]

Dean posted before me, which is just as well, I was going to paraphrase his definition of lugging anyway.

For normal riding, 2500 to 4000 is fine as long as you are not having to whack to throttle open to do those RPMs. But above 5K is the happy zone for "spirited" riding and you will discover you have a different beast beneath you when you hit those RPMs! Better acceleration, better engine braking and less shifting.

My ideal runs on twisty roads are long stretches without shifting or braking. Hit near 7K or so on the straights, back off a little for the curve, repeat a few dozen times equals a good time!

[Samiam]

Thanks a lot for the information. I passed the SC Motorcycle Driving Test today and celebrated by going for a ride in the mountains. On the way back, on level ground, I got down to 1,500 in top gear. It was smooth and steady. I also briefly accelerated up to about 75 from this low RPM and I was really impressed with the strong pull.

This is a wonderful bike and exceeds my expectations.

[chris]

I've had mine for about the same length of time as you and am just as impressed. I ride it every day for commuting and have managed a few evening rides this week. Every time I take it out it gets better and better! Enjoy your new bike.

[Kirk]

Personally, I never hang out around 1500 rpm's unless in low gear during rush hour and don't know why you'd want to. I've always heard from mechanics and enthusiasts I've spoken to about the 1150 boxer engine that 3500 to just below 5000 is the best cruising range if you don't want too much wear on the engine but still want power readily available. I tend to agree strongly.

[Beemeridian]

6

[Samiam]

I don't plan to cruise or poke around at 1,500 but I do want to explore the performnce parameters. Kind of like going through the stall series in a new aircraft check ride.

As I mentioned, I've been off bikes for 20 years and have a lot of "relearning" to do. For example, I spent yesterday relearning slow speed manuvering prior to my license check ride.

MSF and other lessons will come later in the Summer but I think I owe it to the bike and myself to learn all I can as I go along and this includes the engine's performance.

[NorseMan9]

The engine in your Boxer is happy anywhere from 1500 RPM to the rev limiter.

Lugging is low RPM with a HIGH throttle setting. You cac ride all day at 1500 RPM in 6th gear with a LOW throttle setting. cruising at 3,000 R's in 6th is perfectly OK.

I have a friend who's a certified BMW mechanic. He says you shouldn't run below 3,000 RPM. I try to keep it between 3,500 and 6,000.