6-speed
Shifting is fun, but shifting too many times gets tiring over time, especially when your not taking advantage of the engines powerband fully. I think I stand for alot of people here, but HD really didnt need to add a 6 speed transmission that still doesnt have an OD. What they should have done was add a 6 speed with an OD setup. Add HD did was move the 1:1 5th gear to 6th gear and overdrive the primary to move 6th gear up a bit higher to act as a cruising gear. Basically a cheap version of Baker's DD6(which is the one Baker product I have never liked). Unfortunately you dont get the benefit of true rpm gear reduction like an OD as you increase speed in that final 6th gear.
As for the shaft bearing, just the fact that HD wants customers to bring in the bike for bearing replacement shows that there is a problem in the design(probably one that cant be fixed with an upgraded bearing also). They are just trying to cover their butts before customers start calling the dealerships in droves on warrenty issues with their transmissions. I bet you HD will come out soon with a redesigned "cruisedrive" transmission, I can almost garentee they have their engineers on the drawingboard again.
Plus you obviously know more about mechanics than I do so I have to take your word on all of your bearing statements and such.
All I'm saying is that 6 is 6 and 5 is 5. If you want 5 don't buy a Dyna. If you don't want to shift get off the bike. Many with the 06 Dyna's will tell you as well that you don't even have to shift into 6th if you don't want to, it's there if you want to though.
True enough that releasing a new bike and asking me to sign a paper saying that something might fail is kind of hard to fathom but that's exactly what happened. Can't say I understand why a new product would even be released if there was the potential for a big problem! Sounds counter productive to me at the very least. However, the fact that they (HD) stated up front that there was a potential issue AND if such issue were to arise that they would replace it for free, OVER THE COURSE OF THE BIKE'S LIFE unless a permanent fix was found then that's enough for me to say OK I'll buy the bike. How many other vehicle manufacturers do you know have made a customer statement like that? None, period...it just doesn't happen. That's why they have 3 year warranty's because they're banking on all major ($$$) problems occuring after that time and when/if they do it doesn't have to come off of their bottom line but instead the customers pocket. At least HD is covering this forever....to me that sounds like a fair deal.
As for your 6 is 6 and 5 is 5 argument. I personally like the idea of having BOTH. With the SE 6 and the Baker OD6 you in reality get both 5 in 5 and 6 in 6. How? All they do is take your tradtional 5 speed(and keep the gear ratio and spacing while 5th remains a 1:1)thats found on all the Twin cam and EVO big twins and just add an OD on top of it. So I get the benefit of using the engines powertrain through the first 5 gears to the fullest benefit, and have an
So my final word on this subject will be you win I lose. Dyna's suck and so do Harley 6 speeds. I'm an idiot for buying one and signing a paper. Shame on me and everybody else who bought one.
Next subject PLEASE.
It appears you are one of those people who are never wrong. So I quit the "arguement" as it were. Nobody can interject a comment without you disagreeing with it or putting in two more of your cents. You kind of prove that with the amount of posts you have in less than a months time, in forums that's called a "post *****".
So my final word on this subject will be you win I lose. Dyna's suck and so do Harley 6 speeds. I'm an idiot for buying one and signing a paper. Shame on me and everybody else who bought one.
Next subject PLEASE.
So if you think Dyna's "suck" or the 6 speeds "suck", thats coming from your mouth not mine. I personally like the Dyna bikes, and like alot of the new features on the new Dyna. I'm just not going to be a kiss @ss and say all is well with one part of the bike that is obviously not a well thought out or designed part on the bike. And I'm not going to start the name calling becuase someone else doesnt like what I wrote. I leave that childish BS for other people.
Hey everyone.
I've been doing some research on the new Dynas. What are your thoughts on the 6-speed bearing maintenance issue? HD will inspect and replace it every 15,000mi. It sounds like they are staying on top of something just in case it becomes a problem, and that there may not even be a problem. Can this thing actually break while riding, or is it more of a maintenance issue?
Thanks to everyone and your great posts.
My next search will be the Helical gears. (spelling?) Some here say that is the problem, others say they are stronger. I have to try find out for myself. I should know more about them since there is a POTENTIAL problem with my bike. I understand that the trannys have some bugs to be worked out, but I except that. It wont cost me anything other than time, and its worth it to have this bike. I have a Sporty to cruise on when I need to.
Also I believe that some here are makeing it sound worse than it is, for reasons I cant explain, but dont appreciate. Beta testers. what ever. I have been rideing bikes and doing as much maintenance myself as I can for a long time (26years), and this 06 dyna is smooth, powerful, comfortable, and looks awesome. Well worth any bugs that have to be worked out. You dont feel the same, dont buy one. But dont dog out my ride. RUBs do that crap.
Oh yeah, I signed the papers, and it means that whenever something goes with the Tranny, its covered. Labor and all. Yeah, I got screwed!
I have been getting a little miffed, so I did some research for myself. First of all, the final ratio is NOT THE SAME. The 6th gear is not the same as the 5th gear in the 05. It may not be called "over drive" but it DOES lower the RPMs. I would bet I dont shift into fifth any sooner than an 05. And I bet a pay check my RPMS are lower at highway speed.
My next search will be the Helical gears. (spelling?) Some here say that is the problem, others say they are stronger. I have to try find out for myself. I should know more about them since there is a POTENTIAL problem with my bike. I understand that the trannys have some bugs to be worked out, but I except that. It wont cost me anything other than time, and its worth it to have this bike. I have a Sporty to cruise on when I need to.
Also I believe that some here are makeing it sound worse than it is, for reasons I cant explain, but dont appreciate. Beta testers. what ever. I have been rideing bikes and doing as much maintenance myself as I can for a long time (26years), and this 06 dyna is smooth, powerful, comfortable, and looks awesome. Well worth any bugs that have to be worked out. You dont feel the same, dont buy one. But dont dog out my ride. RUBs do that crap.
With a 6 speed that has a true OD(anything less than 1:1), we'll say .86:1 as a common number. Your engine rotates less than one full turn(about 310 degrees) , to a full 360 degrees or one full rotation of the rear wheel.
So with this in mind lets say both transmissions are set so the engine turns 3000rpms at say 70mph. At 80mph the 1:1 6th gear might be turning about 3600rpms. The OD (.86:1) transmission at 80mph on the other hand may be turning only about 3300-3400rpms. And as the speed increases the difference will be greater and greater between the 2 transmissions depending on the OD ratio. Some people will now understand the real benefit of an OD setup. As the speed increases the benefits of an OD become clear as you will be turning lower engine rpm's to achieve higher speeds.
Now depending on your riding style a direct drive 6th gear can be just fine, especially if its geared correctly so that 6th gear is at a low enough rpm where your top speed isnt at an rpm that wears you down over time. But if your in a hurry to get somewhere and got a long drive ahead of you cruising at a higher speed may become fatiguing depending on gearing of the transmission, and it becomes more apprant as the speed increases. I rode a couple of the new Dynas, but I cant recall what it was pulling for rpm's at 75mph. I do know it got a bit buzzy for my taste over 80-85 where I normally ride on my way to and from work on the beltway.
I dont go much over 80 for extended periods. Its fine for me on the I 5. On the back roads I dont even go into 6th. I realize its not an overdrive, but 5th is tall enough that you dont need it cruising through the hills at 50 - 55.
Weekend warrior, no. I drive to work every day, unless I have a lot of gear to bring in or bring back. (USMC) I ride about 100 to 300 miles on the wekend, depending whats going on. My truck died last year before I deployed, and I still have not replaced it. The wife has a new Explorer that the whole family can ride in, but I only take it to work if it is my last resort. Last year, because of Iraq, I think I only put 3500 miles on my other bike. But thats way low for me, and I have been on bikes for quite some time. The thing you miss on the maintenance deal is this: It is in concert with the 15000 mile service, so the bike will be scheduled for the 15K, and that will be done at that time. Normal Services I get my bike back same day if I drop it in the morning. May be a two day deal at the 15 K....I am not sure. The deepest I have personally been in a HD tranny is replaceing a clutch.
Here is the deal, I realize the tranny has some issues. I am at least glad it wont cost me any more than time, and I hope for it to be rectified. Over all though, I am very happy with the bike. The new frame design is solid. Bike handles like a caddy. The bigger down tubes and increased rake look great, and the handleing is still great. The stage one is running awesome as well. I went with the cartridge ( D/L) to ensure all was harmonious in the EFI, and it paid off. All the improvements I think have been great. The tranny has potential for problems, but right now its smooth and I love it. I cant argue the fact that they should have had the issue rectified before release, but I have to deal with that now. I love the bike, and although I am not a weekend warrior and ride every possible chance I can, I will have to deal without it for a day or two every 15K. (until they figure out a fix) And I know the stock tranny is not as good as a Bakers. Point taken. e
Now maybe you could do me a favor, since I believe you know what your talking about. Without telling mwhat a POS the new tranny is, could you explain to me what they changed, and why it affects the inner bearing? I heard you talk about initial torque.... could you explain more? Like I said before, if it is a problem I am willing to live with, I think I should understand it fully. I guess I should have not said I was getting miffed, as your posts have not been anything personally derogatory. I do think over all the Dynas are good bikes, and I am very happy with my WideGlide. I just have to hope that the tranny issue is rectified. Again, any info on what in there is messed up, and why it damages the inner bearing would be appreciated. I guess I just like my bike so much I took it the wrong way. Which is strange for me, because after years of rideing Sportsters I thought my skin would be a little thicker, LOL. But I have my own personal views on Sportsters too.

Thanks
But today while I was in the Shop in Tallahassee....
I over heard the manager and one of the Sales guys talking.
They were discussing when they might be able to get an 06 Dyna. ( Not a one on the Floor ! )
The Manager says they got ONE coming, but thats all they could get...... The sales guys tells him... " They gonna LOVE you back there !" as he jabs his thumb towards the Mech. Area and chuckles !
Anyways.......
Budds..............
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
You obviously are a mech, and know what you are talking about. I am not so much a mech as a parts changer, and jack of all trades master of none. I am aware what Over drive means. The motor turns one revelution, but the final gear turns more than once...... RPMs go down, as well as torque..... Same as a car with a 5 speed, or a 4 speed with over drive. None the less, the final ratio is different than a STOCK 05. The RPMs are lower than a 5 speed. I am not saying that the Baker OD six speed is the same. I realize the Baker is better, I am comparing a stock 06 six speed to a stock 05 five speed.
Weekend warrior, no. I drive to work every day, unless I have a lot of gear to bring in or bring back. (USMC) I ride about 100 to 300 miles on the wekend, depending whats going on. My truck died last year before I deployed, and I still have not replaced it. The wife has a new Explorer that the whole family can ride in, but I only take it to work if it is my last resort. Last year, because of Iraq, I think I only put 3500 miles on my other bike. But thats way low for me, and I have been on bikes for quite some time. The thing you miss on the maintenance deal is this: It is in concert with the 15000 mile service, so the bike will be scheduled for the 15K, and that will be done at that time. Normal Services I get my bike back same day if I drop it in the morning. May be a two day deal at the 15 K....I am not sure. The deepest I have personally been in a HD tranny is replaceing a clutch.
You obviously are lacking a local SEAL to slap you upside the head and keep you inline in your neck of the woods......
On a serious note, I'll have to make a few phone calls to see if HD will be keeping those bearings in stock. If not you will be in for a long 2 week average wait. HD only stocks normal wear and tear items like gaskets,spark plugs,wires, fluids etc. They do not stock things like bearings,bolts and screws(unless frilly chrome plated show items), or basically any internal engine items. HD dealerships do this to keep operating costs to a minimum and to reduce potential overstock of bin parts. All those dealerships carry are chrome "doo dad" add-ons. The crap you see on the showroom floor. You will learn if you ever need to get a replacement part out of the parts manual for your bike, 99% of the time it will have to be ordered. Pretty crappy eh? [:-]
[quote]ORIGINAL: grizzly
Here is the deal, I realize the tranny has some issues. I am at least glad it wont cost me an
Basically HD went from a pretty basic transmission that was composed of all straight cut gears. Straight cut gears by nature do not put axial(side thrust)loads on the transmission gear shafts or the bearings they ride on in general. The downside to some is that straight cut gears are noisy. Every put your car or truck in reverse and hear it whine like crazy? That is because reverse gears in autos are straight cut normally.
HD basically has been starting to change some of their bikes to "helical" gear setups. The new 06' Sporty uses some helical gears in its transmission, and so does the Dyna now. Helical gears are quiet by nature. And since more teeth are always engaged at anyone time, they can be mfg. with cheaper materials thereby cutting mfg. cost. The big downside to using helical gears is that they put alot of thrust loads onto the bearings and supports they ride on. Helical gears want to push away from each other. So extra reinforcement and bracing is needed in the transmission housing itself, and the bearings used need to be able to withstand axial(side thrust)loads. The more power an engine puts down, the greater the axial loads on the bearings and housing that encases the bearings themselves.
Now HD made a new transmission housing, and used "larger" shaft bearings. But larger bearings do not equate to being better suited to handling thust loads on the transmission shaft. And I think they figured this out way too late. So in a nutshell the 2 transmission shafts on your bike in the transmission housing are trying to seperate themselves and go in opposite directions out through the sides of the transmission case. And the bearings the shafts ride on are bearing the full brunt of that force, and are probably prone to premature wear. HD I think figured this out, hence the reason why I think you had to sign that paper. Because its an area that they know will be under constant wear and tear and most likely result in parts that will fail early while under warrenty, and could result in alot of lemonlaw returns.
Here's a tip for ya, don't buy one. Go buy a Honda... then you can really rag on HD


