Is this what hitting the rev limiter is like?

[rayvin57]

On the way home from a nice long ride with the wife.  Accelerated hard from a stop light, took the revs pretty high in 1-3rd gears, don't think I came anywhere near redline (but wasn't watching the tach), was doing the same in 4th when I heard a muffled 'whap' sound coming from what I thought was the front of the engine, accompanied by a complete loss of power.  Thought I broke a belt so I immediately pulled in the clutch and coasted to a grassy area on the side of the highway.  Shut it off.  Thoughts of having to be towed and hopes that I didn't trash the heads ran through my mind.  I decided to try turning the engine over and it started up like nothing had happened.  Cautiously eased into first and rode away.  The fat girl ran as normal all the way home.
Anyone think I just hit the rev limiter in 4th?  Is the noise I described what happens?  Any help would be appreciated.

[Chrisj CMA]

That sound nothing like when mine hits the rev limiter.......it just starts burbling like its starving hard for gas, and there is a noticable drop in power.  Would not call anything a "whap" sound

PS...I dont think I ever hit the rev limiter in 4th gear......only in 1st or 2nd so maybe its different at higher speeds.  If all is fine now, I would assume as you are asking as well, it was just the rev limiter

[olddog1946]

Mine just spits and sputters, loosing power when I get the rpm up there.

[R J]

When I used to hit the rev limiter in higher gears it was just a burbling sound, back off the throttle a hair and shift to a higher gear always helped and it ran like a tiger with creosote on its hind end.

[rayvin57]

Ok, that leaves the rev limiter out--this was a definite 'whap, snap' sound, but muffled, like it was a belt snapping behind the cover.  Then the power was just gone.  Maybe it just popped out of gear.  Maybe I ran over a palm frond that I missed seeing--but that wouldn't explain the sudden power loss, plus I would've heard a second sound as the rear ran over it. Maybe a palm frond plus popping out of gear at exactly the same time...

[quexpress]

I once hit the rev limiter (in first gear) on my Valk while "playing" with another Valk at Americade. The engine cut out abruptly. After shutting it off, it started no problem.

[rayvin57]

I once hit the rev limiter (in first gear) on my Valk while "playing" with another Valk at Americade. The engine cut out abruptly. After shutting it off, it started no problem.

But no muffled 'whap' sound like I had, I'm assuming.

[Patrick]

Nice avatar Normand..

[salty1]

Mine does what ChrisJ described. It's like it has a complete loss of fuel. Back off and it runs fine.   

[rayvin57]

Sounds like you didn't shift hard enough and it popped out of gear and then hit the limiter.

I think I like your explanation the best, Mase  ...

[NJF6Cowboy]

I hear that "whap" sound almost every time I ride with my wife. I goose the throttle too hard and "whap" I get a big slap to the helmet. 

[rayvin57]

I hear that "whap" sound almost every time I ride with my wife. I goose the throttle too hard and "whap" I get a big slap to the helmet. 

[YoungPUP]

Not trying to hijack by any means, but where does the rev limiter "step in" on the valk?

[Valker]

Not trying to hijack by any means, but where does the rev limiter "step in" on the valk?

Mine is totally stock and kicks in at about 7300 RPM.

[salty1]

I think they set the upper limit at 7500 rpm, just about the time your hanging on for dear life.      

[Hoser]

Power peak is at 6000 to 6500, shift fast or you'll hit the limiter.  Hoser

[rayvin57]

Power peak is at 6000 to 6500, shift fast or you'll hit the limiter.  Hoser

Is your bike stock, Hoser?

[Buda]

Not trying to hijack by any means, but where does the rev limiter "step in" on the valk?

7250.

At WOT just keep the throttle at WOT and when it hits the limiter is when to shift.  Chet has a write up about it I think.  It take s a little practice but when you find the sweet spot the shifts come easy.

Where might I find this?

[quexpress]

Nice avatar Normand..

It's just an "image" of my current situation Pat!
I'm quite sure that I have lots of company LOL! 

[Hoser]

Power peak is at 6000 to 6500, shift fast or you'll hit the limiter.  Hoser

Is your bike stock, Hoser?

All but cut piggies and drilled rear baffles and truck stacks and grumpy's exhaust tips.