[Jeff in Kentucky]

The electronic rev limiter for newer bikes prevents damaging engine speeds most of the time- it is possible to use engine braking in too low a gear and rev an engine past the redline (rev limiter setting).

A racer will sometimes stay in one gear too long on purpose, instead of losing power during and right after an upshift.

For my 1978 650cc Yamaha, you watched the tach needle to prevent over-reving, because it had no electronic rev limiter. It also had needle bearings for the crankshaft to help it last longer. It also had a joke for an oil filter, but was very reliable if you changed the oil often enough.

My 2008 ZZR600 has the maximum horsepower at about 13,000 rpm, and the rev limiter or redline is at 14,500 rpm on the tach, probably a little higher for the actual number.

An engine will wear out faster if you spend more time at 14,000 rpm and less time at lower rpm- Whitehendrix wrote that it was from the pistons rocking side to side more at higher rpm- also there is more of a chance of breaking a connecting rod or rod bearing, also the engine is hotter which makes the oil and coolant less effective for preventing wear.
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