Shift Points
Shift Points
Hey gang, '16 FXDB here with a stock 103, along with stock air cleaner/exhaust.
During my break in period, I kept it under 2500 RPMs for shifting, but now that I'm at 4K miles on the bike, I still catch myself shifting at around 2800-3K RPMs. Is that too low? I rode in to work today with someone else, and at a stoplight, the other HD rider said to me he thought I was shifting too low (he was on an Iron 883). He said he shifts at 4200, and cruises at 3100-3200, and said that's the best to ensure longevity of the engine.
Does that sound right?
During my break in period, I kept it under 2500 RPMs for shifting, but now that I'm at 4K miles on the bike, I still catch myself shifting at around 2800-3K RPMs. Is that too low? I rode in to work today with someone else, and at a stoplight, the other HD rider said to me he thought I was shifting too low (he was on an Iron 883). He said he shifts at 4200, and cruises at 3100-3200, and said that's the best to ensure longevity of the engine.
Does that sound right?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,756
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
You want to be in a gear that will let you effectively use the power that's available, the last thing you'd want is to need a quick throttle response and be in too high a gear. Once the bike is fully warmed up I tend to shift at 3500 - 4000 RPM and cruise around 3000. During the occasional group ride I have used 6th gear at 60 MPH on long flat roads but realize I'd need to rev-match down to 4th or 3rd for any real power, on more technical roads I'll be in 2nd or 3rd with the RPM's up in roar land so I can get a smooth continuous throttle roll-on through the curves.
Don't be afraid to run her up in the RPM range, you're not going to hurt a thing. I still believe people are afraid to run the RPM's up because of noise, they think the bike is going to come apart
Oh, and the vast majority of your 'break in' was done by 20 miles on the ODO... let those RPM's rip
Edited to add: MotoTune Break In
Don't be afraid to run her up in the RPM range, you're not going to hurt a thing. I still believe people are afraid to run the RPM's up because of noise, they think the bike is going to come apart
Oh, and the vast majority of your 'break in' was done by 20 miles on the ODO... let those RPM's rip
Edited to add: MotoTune Break In
Cruiser
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 223
Likes: 12
From: Texas
He's also got a different engine than you. You have to keep the rpm's up on a sporty. They don't like to lug at all. That's the biggest change for me hopping from my Deluxe to the 48. I "short shift" the deluxe and take it easy, that's what it's for. I usually shift around 3600-4000 on the 48 and it cruises around 3050-3200.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
Sporty's ain't the same as a big twin. My Sporty doesn't really do much below 3k.
On big twins, I tend to keep it above 2500 no matter what and typically shift around 3500-4000, while I prefer to cruise around 3000 unless heavily loaded or hilly terrain.
On big twins, I tend to keep it above 2500 no matter what and typically shift around 3500-4000, while I prefer to cruise around 3000 unless heavily loaded or hilly terrain.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 668
Likes: 34
From: New Jersey
I think (in my short Harley experience, which is 8k miles) the 103 likes to be revved. Someone above said 6th at 60. I find that a bit lugging. In normal riding conditions I tend to rev it a bit. The shift points are in the manual, but I find them low.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
The manual shift points are pretty much the bottom end of where you can acceptably shift. I would use those as the absolute minimum speed of when you can shift up.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,809
Likes: 2,549
From: UK
I tend to try and keep the revs up myself - normally cruise at 2.5K++ and shift at pretty high revs if I am getting on it. I think it sounds much better at the higher revs as well (D&D BobCat exhaust)
Screw trying to get the low rev potato-potato sounds as that just isn't going to happen on a Twin Cam anyway.
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If you shift past the peak HP and TQ curve, the motor is falling on its face and you're just wasting gas.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
Just shift by ear. 3000 is a good shift point, if you're not in a hurry. 4000 better if you're hauling. When I really haul I watch where I'm going, not the tach.
I use the tach mainly to avoid lugging. Depending on grade, load I like to keep it above 2000-2500.
I use the tach mainly to avoid lugging. Depending on grade, load I like to keep it above 2000-2500.
