I learned the down side of "engine lugging" when (as a no-nothing punk kid), I borrowed every dime I could and bought one of the first long-stroke Norton Commando motorcycles. God, was it fast! Aside from pulling long wheelies at every opportunity, I delighted in showing passengers how easily we could roar off from a standing start in high gear. In a very short time, the bearing knock started to rival the sound from the open megaphones I was running.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Increased rod and main bearing wear at the top of the list.  If the engine is on the ragged edge of detonation, then lugging will also bring that on.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

After reading Charlie's post, I was wondering what is harmful about lugging an engine if you have oil pressure?



I remember pop using 1st gear to get the falcon rolling then shift to 2nd. The dashboard used to vibrate for a while 'till the rpm's came up. I rode with his brother to the shore in a rambler stationwagon, and he never used 2nd gear. He would start out in 1st and shift to 3rd. At least we didn't have the vibration like when pop drove. I don't know if it was that generation or just pops family. I never got into the habit, I hated the vibrating dash.

  Dennis in Lititz PA