Greetings.....ok now I'm paranoid. I find that I enjoy putting around town in such a way that I can hear each individual firing of the pistons and have that deep throaty sound. I NEVER go so slow in a higher gear so that the engine shakes (more than usual) or makes rattling noises (have accidentally done that on other bikes in the past, like trying to start out in 3rd gear or something).....I understand that lugging is exceedingly hard on the v-twin. Is what I'm doing considered lugging? (maybe I need to fly through town in 2nd gear!)

 

What speed are you going, and in what gear. May help with an answer.

 

You sound like you understand what you are doing,and not overdoing it.Lugging like I have seen it done over the years,gives me the ******.But,some of those same people are still riding the same bikes the very same way.The way I see it,you love it enough to be concerned,that's enough.What little damage may occur is easily repaired,these Harley V-Twins are very stout.So enjoy!!

 

Fine line you are near. Kind of hard to go with an internet description.
Whatever you do, don't let the bike feel like it's struggling in that gear.

 

I may be wrong, but I've always heard the "rule of 10s".

Don't go any slower than 20 in 2nd,

30 in 3rd,

40 in 4th,

50 in 5th.

 

If you think you need to go in a lower gear you are lugging. If it is pulling ok you are not. I think you understand and know you are not lugging but want to be reassured.

 

thanks for the responses....wescoot and rthump-I hope the rule of 10s is correct....approx 30 mph in 3rd through town I think is probably what I'm doing (I never really counted what gear I was in). the bike does NOT struggle...that would give ME the *******!

 

Yup. You're lugging.

 

if your engine oil comes out really black at changes you're lugging.

 

IMHO, you are lugging the motor.

Assuming you have the TC96, they seem to like higher rpm's.