Shifting help
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 187
Likes: 10
From: Minneapolis
Shifting help
I just completed the new rider class Harley puts on and was surprised at the lack of instruction. Especially regarding shifting/downshifting. I'm completely new to motorcycles and manual shifting. From the threads I've found it seems that most agree to keep the rpms between 2-3K, is this good info? I seemed to be hovering around 2k when I took my road king out for the first time last night. I also shifted into neutral a few times when going from 1 to 2. Do I just need to lift the shifter up higher? Appreciate any/all help. For those that will say to just listen/feel for shifting I don't have anything to compare it to for normal.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
Because you are a new rider, and the tach is so small on the Road King, why not shift by MPH instead. You can follow the manual and upshift as it describes. Their shift points are great for poking along and because you are new to riding, thats what you need to be doing. I call it short shifting, plenty of time later to wind it out.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 320
From: Vancouver, WA
Going from 1st to 2nd, make sure you lift up (or press down on the heel shifter) all the way. Don't worry about passing through a gear because the transmission won't allow that to happen. A good practice is keeping your RPM's around 2,500 so upshift/downshift accordingly. If you want to accelerate quickly, downshift to a gear that will bring the RPM's up to about 3,000.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 904
Likes: 62
From: Denver Colorado
I ride between 28-32k(edit 2.8k-3.2k), especially in 6th at least 75mph, riding at 2-25k(edit 2-2.5k) is really lugging the engine no matter what a manual says.
Last edited by Greatsteaks; Jun 27, 2016 at 06:34 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,452
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From: Bear Flag, lower end
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 904
Likes: 62
From: Denver Colorado
Originally Posted by hbsoldier3
You should just change your name to Hi-Rev, since you have the only bike that revs between 28,000 and 32,000 RPM.
And not my first of the night, lol.
Last edited by Greatsteaks; Jun 27, 2016 at 06:35 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
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From: Wisconsin, USA
New rider who doesn't know how to shift a manual transmission? I would not be riding at night or on crowded roads. But I also wouldn't have bought a Road King for my first bike, but that ship sailed.
Don't be looking at your tach. Keep your eye on the road. You will go where you look, so don't be looking down, until you master not hitting things.
If you try to be too delicate you will upshift into neutral instead of 2nd. Shift firmly. Like Popeye, not Olive Oyl. If I an trying to creep out of my neighborhood early, and be quiet, I will sometimes upshift in to neutral, then overrev. Don't do that.
When you get better and use the tach, just make sure you're not lugging the engine. Usually above 2300 rpm,but varies by road grade, wind, load. You should be able to accelerate immediately by twisting the throttle, not lag. If you lag, you are lugging. That's hard on your engine. Like trying to ride a bicycle uphill in the highest gear.
Be careful, but not fearful. Ride your own ride, not above your head.
Don't be looking at your tach. Keep your eye on the road. You will go where you look, so don't be looking down, until you master not hitting things.
If you try to be too delicate you will upshift into neutral instead of 2nd. Shift firmly. Like Popeye, not Olive Oyl. If I an trying to creep out of my neighborhood early, and be quiet, I will sometimes upshift in to neutral, then overrev. Don't do that.
When you get better and use the tach, just make sure you're not lugging the engine. Usually above 2300 rpm,but varies by road grade, wind, load. You should be able to accelerate immediately by twisting the throttle, not lag. If you lag, you are lugging. That's hard on your engine. Like trying to ride a bicycle uphill in the highest gear.
Be careful, but not fearful. Ride your own ride, not above your head.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 904
Likes: 62
From: Denver Colorado
Originally Posted by Ron750
New rider who doesn't know how to shift a manual transmission? I would not be riding at night or on crowded roads. But I also wouldn't have bought a Road King for my first bike, but that ship sailed.
Don't be looking at your tach. Keep your eye on the road. You will go where you look, so don't be looking down, until you master not hitting things.
If you try to be too delicate you will upshift into neutral instead of 2nd. Shift firmly. Like Popeye, not Olive Oyl. If I an trying to creep out of my neighborhood early, and be quiet, I will sometimes upshift in to neutral, then overrev. Don't do that.
When you get better and use the tach, just make sure you're not lugging the engine. Usually above 2300 rpm,but varies by road grade, wind, load. You should be able to accelerate immediately by twisting the throttle, not lag. If you lag, you are lugging. That's hard on your engine. Like trying to ride a bicycle uphill in the highest gear.
Be careful, but not fearful. Ride your own ride, not above your head.
Don't be looking at your tach. Keep your eye on the road. You will go where you look, so don't be looking down, until you master not hitting things.
If you try to be too delicate you will upshift into neutral instead of 2nd. Shift firmly. Like Popeye, not Olive Oyl. If I an trying to creep out of my neighborhood early, and be quiet, I will sometimes upshift in to neutral, then overrev. Don't do that.
When you get better and use the tach, just make sure you're not lugging the engine. Usually above 2300 rpm,but varies by road grade, wind, load. You should be able to accelerate immediately by twisting the throttle, not lag. If you lag, you are lugging. That's hard on your engine. Like trying to ride a bicycle uphill in the highest gear.
Be careful, but not fearful. Ride your own ride, not above your head.
