Well the standard VN will redline at 5 and 1/2.... so thats when instantanious damage occurs... the rest of the time itts just progressive damage. The reason a VN will shift at 2-2.5 is because thats not only a good fuel saving rev range but because its an acceptible amout of revs to take before the engine eqperiences to much load.
Take the example of a guy running down a road. When your jogging you can see everyhting that is happening in front of you, all the rocks, cracks and sticks. Its fairly safe. Then, as he speeds up, his corordination between his legs and body lessens, the hazards on the road increase as vision becomes less accurate and eventually he will run too fast and something will give, be it his legs will lock up, hill trip, slip or something. Same with an engine..... just no sticks and more piston rings.
aZk.