Speed and Gear
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 49
Likes: 10
From: Montreal, Canada
Speed and Gear
Just picked up the 14 fat Bob. What speed do you guys change gears? I have been on the highway up to 70 mph and not felt the need to put her in 6th yet. Mind you I have only had her for 24 hours.
Just interested in the hearing gear change speeds out here. 103 ci. BTW.
Just interested in the hearing gear change speeds out here. 103 ci. BTW.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 404
Likes: 86
From: Portland, Oregon
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,758
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
I always hear riders around town short-shifting these 103's, the 103 is much more efficient at higher RPM's.
I keep the display set to gear/RPM and do glance at it. My upshifts will vary from 3500 - 4800 RPM depending on the situation. I cruise with my RPM's in the power band, basically 2600 RPM and higher and rev-match downshift to always be in the correct gear to stay in the power band. If I'm cruising at 50 MPH I'll be in 3rd gear; 4th is too low and out of the power band, I don't use 6th until 75+ MPH. At 70 MPH in 6th you're right at the bottom of the power band.
One thing, those numbers are all predicated on the fact the bike is fully warmed up. Running a bike hard when they're cold is one of the worst things you can do to them... all those shift points are much lower until she's fully warmed up
I keep the display set to gear/RPM and do glance at it. My upshifts will vary from 3500 - 4800 RPM depending on the situation. I cruise with my RPM's in the power band, basically 2600 RPM and higher and rev-match downshift to always be in the correct gear to stay in the power band. If I'm cruising at 50 MPH I'll be in 3rd gear; 4th is too low and out of the power band, I don't use 6th until 75+ MPH. At 70 MPH in 6th you're right at the bottom of the power band.
One thing, those numbers are all predicated on the fact the bike is fully warmed up. Running a bike hard when they're cold is one of the worst things you can do to them... all those shift points are much lower until she's fully warmed up
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 836
Likes: 92
From: Sonoma Co - California Formaly East Bay
I always hear riders around town short-shifting these 103's, the 103 is much more efficient at higher RPM's.
I keep the display set to gear/RPM and do glance at it. My upshifts will vary from 3500 - 4800 RPM depending on the situation. I cruise with my RPM's in the power band, basically 2600 RPM and higher and rev-match downshift to always be in the correct gear to stay in the power band. If I'm cruising at 50 MPH I'll be in 3rd gear; 4th is too low and out of the power band, I don't use 6th until 75+ MPH. At 70 MPH in 6th you're right at the bottom of the power band.
One thing, those numbers are all predicated on the fact the bike is fully warmed up. Running a bike hard when they're cold is one of the worst things you can do to them... all those shift points are much lower until she's fully warmed up
I keep the display set to gear/RPM and do glance at it. My upshifts will vary from 3500 - 4800 RPM depending on the situation. I cruise with my RPM's in the power band, basically 2600 RPM and higher and rev-match downshift to always be in the correct gear to stay in the power band. If I'm cruising at 50 MPH I'll be in 3rd gear; 4th is too low and out of the power band, I don't use 6th until 75+ MPH. At 70 MPH in 6th you're right at the bottom of the power band.
One thing, those numbers are all predicated on the fact the bike is fully warmed up. Running a bike hard when they're cold is one of the worst things you can do to them... all those shift points are much lower until she's fully warmed up
Exactly... I'll cruise 70 mph in 5th, and I feel like I have versatility to speed up, or slow down with plenty of power. 6th gear comes in around 75 on the hwy.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 152
Likes: 26
From: Swansea, Wales
Bike feels happy to me around 2500 rpm or higher so I tend to change by 3000 rpm rather than at any fixed speed. In town in 30 mph limit I'm usually in 2nd gear. I rarely use 6th unless motorway cruising at 70mph. On the whole I prefer to be in a lower gear rather than lug the engine and anyway it's nice to have something left for overtaking or hills without having to downshift. I usually engine brake and get down to first before coming to a halt. Keeping the revs up on corners comes from my sports bike days, so I can get on the power after the apex and really pull out of the bend. Like above I usually ride in rev/gear display mode. The dyna 103 will pull beautifully up to 70mph and quickly too, reaching 4th without the engine feeling stressed if needed. My only limit to riding at high speed (apart from the law!) is my open faced helmet moves back on my head! I like to hear the exhaust note so often will stay in a lower gear even though the bike is ready to change. Tends to use the fuel, mind!
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Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 809
Likes: 23
From: Olathe KS
Around 4200 most of the time. Cruise near the speed limit around 2800 RPM, so whichever gear gives me that. Usually 4th around town, 5th on the highway. Use 6th sparingly. Really want to re gear.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 237
Likes: 3
From: Kissimmee, FL
If I'm really getting on that throttle I shift to second at 40mph then 60 into third 80 into fourth, 100 into fifth and 110 into 6th. This is was on a track mind you, just was testing out her limits 
I always hear riders around town short-shifting these 103's, the 103 is much more efficient at higher RPM's.
I keep the display set to gear/RPM and do glance at it. My upshifts will vary from 3500 - 4800 RPM depending on the situation. I cruise with my RPM's in the power band, basically 2600 RPM and higher and rev-match downshift to always be in the correct gear to stay in the power band. If I'm cruising at 50 MPH I'll be in 3rd gear; 4th is too low and out of the power band, I don't use 6th until 75+ MPH. At 70 MPH in 6th you're right at the bottom of the power band.
One thing, those numbers are all predicated on the fact the bike is fully warmed up. Running a bike hard when they're cold is one of the worst things you can do to them... all those shift points are much lower until she's fully warmed up
I keep the display set to gear/RPM and do glance at it. My upshifts will vary from 3500 - 4800 RPM depending on the situation. I cruise with my RPM's in the power band, basically 2600 RPM and higher and rev-match downshift to always be in the correct gear to stay in the power band. If I'm cruising at 50 MPH I'll be in 3rd gear; 4th is too low and out of the power band, I don't use 6th until 75+ MPH. At 70 MPH in 6th you're right at the bottom of the power band.
One thing, those numbers are all predicated on the fact the bike is fully warmed up. Running a bike hard when they're cold is one of the worst things you can do to them... all those shift points are much lower until she's fully warmed up