I would bring the revs up to around 2500 - 2750 for around town riding. 2250 and lower is too low for any constant rpm riding. A tuner can also smooth things out.

 

Thanks for the reply, I'm asking about the stock setup. Are people able to pull cleanly below 2,000 RPM in 2nd - 6th? I don't plan to mod or tune and I'm ok with the answer being no. I am just looking to confirm that my particular bike doesn't have an issue.

 

Short answer, no. 2k and lower is lugging the engine no matter the setup, and is not good for it.

 

OP~ Have you checked your engine mounts?

When you say the engine is "bucking", do you mean it's thrashing about inside the frame?

Harleys are long stroke engines. You should be able to move off from just above idle, albeit slowly. Are you the original owner?

What do your spark plugs look like? Post up a picture, if possible.

Do you have a brake that is dragging?

Clutch lockup/release is good?

Sure would like to see your AFR's as that may tell us what is going on.

Certainly, a proper tune would fix your issue, providing other possible problems are eliminated.

Has your engine "changed" characteristics lately? Does it ride like it did years ago? Have you made any mods to the bike? (Including electrical?)

 

I am the original owner and it has done this since new. The behavior hasn't changed at all. It basically hesitates and lugs very strongly below 2,000 RPM in higher gears. I don't believe the engine is actually moving around in the frame.

For example, I shift into 6th gear at 65 MPH on the highway and run into traffic ahead. I slow to 50 MPH and then twist the throttle when the traffic clears. At that point my RPMs are below 2,000 in top gear and the engine lugs very heavily (bucks). I have to down shift to 4th or 5th. Essentially, I'm not really able to go below around 2,000 RPM in the upper gears and give it throttle without really upsetting the motor.

On the other hand, I'm able to lug my inline-4 sport bike down to idle in top gear and it will pull away smoothly (albeit with no power).

 

I guess your wife told you this, so just agree with her and run it in the smooth range. She will never know you have it in 3 or maybe 4 at 2000. Obviously, you can apply a little quicker throttle in 3rd then 4th at 2000. You are really giving the compensator a beating in what you describe in your post. Cain't break that and doubt it's hurting the engine. Tuning for more power will just make it worst at the bottom end.

 

Ok, if this condition has remained constant for 9 years, then I'd just live with it, or spend the money and get it dyno tuned by someone who knows how to increase "drivability" rather than peak #'s.

 

Yes it is normal...However if you need to go faster than what ever speed you are going in whatever gear, you need to drop down at least one gear to get the bike higher in it's torque curve. Where the bike can pull instead of just bucking. I would also think that it was hard on the bike because of lack of oil pressure.

 

Check and make sure that the vacuum line going into the top of the Throttle body is still connected correctly or not split up the side.