RPM question

[Gene]

I have a '85 650cs Nighthawk with 15,000 miles on the odometer.

It runs great, now that I have rebuilt the carbs.

I grew up riding small displacement 2-strokes, and I'm still getting used to riding a high-revving 4-stroke. 
I generally shift 4,000 to 6,000 rpm. I know the engine redlines at 10,000, but I've never had it past 7,000.
Even though the bike runs great, no unusual noises, etc, and everyone tells me it's ok to rev it higher, it makes me nervous. I know Honda's are legendary for reliability, but if the engine does blow at 9,500 rpm, who is responsible? Just me.

What is your opinion?

[mollusc]

I've never felt the need to take my 700S up to the top.  Even at 120mph I think it was still only at around 8500-9000, and that was terrifying.
The 3-6k range works just fine for me.

[Bob H]

I generally shift 4,000 to 6,000 rpm. I know the engine redlines at 10,000, but I've never had it past 7,000.

I think engines like variety. For routine commuting, nothing wrong with your shifting at 4,000 to 6,000 but occasionally you should wind it out (like getting on the freeway, or an open road that is safe).

When I think of winding an engine out toward redline, that is not in top gear.  It is the accelerating rush in 2nd and 3rd gear.

Prior to my recent re-jet, my 750 did not "feel happy" in the higher RPM range, like you give it more throttle at 5,000 and it was like watching paint dry as it climbed up from there.

After the re-jet it behaved like Pete suggested it would, and was happy to climb up to redline with noticeable more power as it makes max torque and HP in the upper range. So when the open road is there, and an opportunity to leave from a stop sign etc. I will wind mine up close to redline (I stay a bit below redline, and the 750 has lower redline than 10,000, I get up to about 8,000 and upshift to a cruising gear (don't hold it for long time at high RPM although you could)

[Gene]

 Bob, good point. I do rev my bike full out sometimes, (never exceeding 6-7 thousand rpm) or, as my dad used to say, "to blow the carbon out". And since I have carbs, perhaps that is good advice.

[ThePowster]

Mines not on the road yet, but once the indicators are sorted and shes road legal, I intend to do a video review of the 700 S Nighthawk and I'll limit it in each gear to the redline.

I even redline my ZX-14 on the road lol well in 3rd I do because that's already 150.

I haven't seen a single video telling me what the NH does at the limit in each gear, but as soon as mines rolling that's the first thing I will be doing. 4k footage onto youtube onto here.

[mollusc]

Mines not on the road yet, but once the indicators are sorted and shes road legal, I intend to do a video review of the 700 S Nighthawk and I'll limit it in each gear to the redline.

Word of advice -- don't do this in 1st or 2nd on the 700S.  Those gears seem to be pretty fragile and it's very easy to bend the shift forks.

[Bob H]

The late model 750 has a lowish redline of 8,500 and after my re-jet earlier this year I have been able to duplicate exactly what the guy is doing in this 7 year old video.
Right up to redline (but I have stock pipes, so it is not as visceral, but just as quick)

[Pete in PA]

There IS a rev limiter at 9k rpm.  The 80's NH's don't have them.

My bike keeps making more power right to 9k rpm.

The CB750 of Europe, Aus., etc. despite having the same engine, carbs, etc. revs higher. Still same HP. rating though.🤨🙄😡