Cruising RPM- coming from a cruiser, low rpm's are normal. On the Connie, running around 3-4k seems to be adequate, I can roll on the throttle for minor speed changes without downshifting, etc.
Minor, indeed. At 3K, the Concours has very little power. Seems to think about coming out of sleep mode at 3.6 and start coming to life at 4.
What do you guys like to run the bike at if you are riding around? Like if you are on a 40mph road keeping a steady pace, do you keep it in a lower gear and let it rev higher, or do you pick the highest gear that will let you keep the rpms where the engine isn't struggling? Are you running 5k rpm or anything like that? I guess what I'm asking is what is the best operating range for the bike?
Well, it "depends". If I am on a straight-away with little chance of needing to accelerate or decelerate, I will ride at around 3 to 3.5. That will provide the best gas mileage with the least amount of noise, vibration, wear, heat, etc. But if I need to be more spirited, it really needs to stay above 4-4.5.
6th gear- when are you kicking it in? I've been using it around 70 if I'm at a steady cruising pace.
Yep, that's about right. 60MPH+ or so. Anything slower than that puts the bike at too low an RPM and it will strain with even the slightest need for increasing speed. Interestingly, the 10's rule seems to work on the Concours. Cruise at around 10x the gear number. Of course, that is a bit simplistic, and it isn't quite that linear, but it is a great one-line description.
My Vulcan could go over 100- plenty fast enough for any road I ride on.
It's not about top speed- its about acceleration. Just wait 'til you start to really open her up... you probably won't miss the Vucan any