Engine runs hard on interstate

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  • hoppy1
    • Jan 2026

    #1

    Engine runs hard on interstate

    Hi everyone, when I ride my 850 on the Interstate, it seem that the engine is really running hard. Is this Ok? At 60 mph, the engine is running around 4500rpm. At 70, it's a little over 5000,but the engine sounds like it is screeming. Thanks, Mark
  • Nessism
    Forum LongTimer
    GSResource Superstar
    Past Site Supporter
    Super Site Supporter
    • Mar 2006
    • 35784
    • Torrance, CA

    #2
    Normal.

    Installing a 2.90 final drive will drop the rpm's a little. I did that on one bike and liked the change.

    Ed

    To measure is to know.

    Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

    Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

    Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

    KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

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    • rustybronco
      Forum LongTimer
      Bard Award Winner
      GSResource Superstar
      Past Site Supporter
      • Jul 2005
      • 14961
      • Marysville, Michigan

      #3
      Originally posted by hoppy1
      Hi everyone, when I ride my 850 on the Interstate, it seem that the engine is really running hard. Is this Ok? At 60 mph, the engine is running around 4500rpm. At 70, it's a little over 5000,but the engine sounds like it is screeming. Thanks, Mark
      I suspect your tach is reading a little higher than it should. At 55 mph mine reads about 4,200~4,300.

      Yes it's ok...
      De-stinking Penelope http://thegsresources.com/_forum/sho...d.php?t=179245

      http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...35#post1625535

      Comment

      • Steel Toed Tank

        #4
        You should hear it scream when you don't let the revs drop below 6,000!

        Check out a dyno chart for your engine, you'd be surprised where your bike makes all its' power.

        Keeping rpms at or below 5,000 is like having a nice big swimming pool but only ever using the shallow end.

        Comment

        • 850 Combat
          Forum Guru
          Past Site Supporter
          • Sep 2006
          • 6018
          • Spokane, WA, and Hampden, ME

          #5
          its annoying, but it won't hurt anything. Well synchronized carbs and and a valve adjustment makes it smoother, but a 1000 or 1100 is more relaxed at speed.
          sigpic Too old, too many bikes, too many cars, too many things

          Comment

          • tkent02
            Forum LongTimer
            Past Site Supporter
            • Jan 2006
            • 35571
            • Near South Park

            #6
            These engines are tiny and designed for high RPM power, they need to spin fast to run efficiently.
            http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

            Life is too short to ride an L.

            Comment

            • BassCliff

              #7
              Hi,

              My GS850GT runs at 70 mph, 5000 rpm all day long and it's very happy.

              Just keep up all the maintenance, valve adjustments, fluids, filters, etc, and you'll have no worries.


              Thank you for your indulgence,

              BassCliff

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