6th gear speed/rpms?
#1
6th gear speed/rpms?
This being my first HD, I'm having trouble shifting by "ear" since I don't have a tach yet. I'm not used to the low loping sound of the HD motor. My last ride was an 1100 Yamaha VStar and it sure let me know when I needed to shift. My troubles are mostly with 5th and 6th gear. I've been putting off shifting into 6th till I hit about 70 mph. If I shift at 65 it sounds like I'm lugging the motor. I can stay in 5th till 75 but I'm worried I'm over revving. It also doesn't help that I've found that I've gone 60 mph in 4th gear a few times when I wasn't paying attention to what gear I was in.
My question is, what speed should I shift into 6th gear while cruising or slightly accelerating? Also what are my rpm's at that point?
My question is, what speed should I shift into 6th gear while cruising or slightly accelerating? Also what are my rpm's at that point?
#2
#4
Hey Jon,
you are totally in tune with your bike. while the bike will run 6th on level ground at 65 or even 60, higher revs is better all around incl. oil pressure and volume.
Oil is part of the cooling system, removing heat from the internals and moving it where it'll disipate
charging system output is also dependent on RPM
70 is a good place for 6th.
FYI the bike will run up to about 75 in 3rd before hitting the rev limiter...up to about 105 in 4th.
here's a chart that'll give you an idea of revs at various mph, check the chart for your model bike.
www.andrewsproducts.com/PDF_files/.../28_RatiosMPG-pg28.pdf
it would be expected to downshift for rapid acceleration and grades.
--many riders are newer to Harleys and air cooled 45º v twins- treating them right results in a long service life
you are totally in tune with your bike. while the bike will run 6th on level ground at 65 or even 60, higher revs is better all around incl. oil pressure and volume.
Oil is part of the cooling system, removing heat from the internals and moving it where it'll disipate
charging system output is also dependent on RPM
70 is a good place for 6th.
FYI the bike will run up to about 75 in 3rd before hitting the rev limiter...up to about 105 in 4th.
here's a chart that'll give you an idea of revs at various mph, check the chart for your model bike.
www.andrewsproducts.com/PDF_files/.../28_RatiosMPG-pg28.pdf
it would be expected to downshift for rapid acceleration and grades.
--many riders are newer to Harleys and air cooled 45º v twins- treating them right results in a long service life
Last edited by mkguitar; 09-27-2011 at 09:36 AM. Reason: new link to Andrews charts
#6
I'm on my 2nd Harley. Both had tachs. (09 EG Classic & now 103 Ltd Ultra.) Both at 2500 RPMs, at 55 mph, in 5th. I use 6th as much as I can.
To actually answer your question:
-- On a 2 lane at about 62, 6th will be around 2100 - 2300 RPMs. If it's flat & you could use cruise, I'd say 6th is OK as long as you're OVER 60 mph.
-- At 72 to 75 on the highway, 6th is at about 2800 RPMs on mine.
-- At under 60, I'll probably use 5th because my tach is under 2000 & I usually shift down, under 2000.
-- Seems like I go into 4th at 45 or 50.
-- Coming into town at 35 to 40, 3rd.
-- Cruising up Main St at 25, it almost sounds like I should shift up to 3rd, but my tach would be below 2000, so if I were to do it by ear (knowing what I know now) don't shift up to the next gear until it sounds like almost too many RPMs in the lower gear.
Just my opinion. See what other people say. Some guys on here will say that the bike should run at ALOT higher RPMs on the highway --- like as high as 3500 -- 4000 (?), but like I said, at 75, mine's only at about 2800 in 6th. 4000 seems WAY too high on mine. (Maybe 4000 is on a bike with only 5 gears, at 75 MPH.)
To actually answer your question:
-- On a 2 lane at about 62, 6th will be around 2100 - 2300 RPMs. If it's flat & you could use cruise, I'd say 6th is OK as long as you're OVER 60 mph.
-- At 72 to 75 on the highway, 6th is at about 2800 RPMs on mine.
-- At under 60, I'll probably use 5th because my tach is under 2000 & I usually shift down, under 2000.
-- Seems like I go into 4th at 45 or 50.
-- Coming into town at 35 to 40, 3rd.
-- Cruising up Main St at 25, it almost sounds like I should shift up to 3rd, but my tach would be below 2000, so if I were to do it by ear (knowing what I know now) don't shift up to the next gear until it sounds like almost too many RPMs in the lower gear.
Just my opinion. See what other people say. Some guys on here will say that the bike should run at ALOT higher RPMs on the highway --- like as high as 3500 -- 4000 (?), but like I said, at 75, mine's only at about 2800 in 6th. 4000 seems WAY too high on mine. (Maybe 4000 is on a bike with only 5 gears, at 75 MPH.)
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#9
#10
here's a chart that'll give you an idea of revs
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/82264604/28_RatiosMPG-pg28
it would be expected to downshift for rapid acceleration and grades.
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/82264604/28_RatiosMPG-pg28
it would be expected to downshift for rapid acceleration and grades.
Great info. I've had my '07 Ultra since it was new and I'm making a copy of this chart to save. Thank you.