Dyna Glide Models Super Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Downshifting Poll . . .

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 11:32 AM
  #1  
up in minot's Avatar
up in minot
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: NH - Why not Minot, ND
Default Downshifting Poll . . .

So, I was just wondering what other people's habits are... Personally, I find myself downshifting ALL the time...
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 11:35 AM
  #2  
RAWHIDE07's Avatar
RAWHIDE07
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 52,957
Likes: 44,480
From: SW OH.
Default RE: Downshifting Poll . . .

Thats what those gears are there for,use them.Too many riders LUG their motors.
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 12:15 PM
  #3  
trip20's Avatar
trip20
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,553
Likes: 17
Default RE: Downshifting Poll . . .

I shift all the time... When I ride keep my engine speed relative to my road speed - whether that means up or down shifting. That guarantees my bike is always in the optimal gear should I need to rely on my throttle to get me out of the way.
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 12:19 PM
  #4  
2Wheels Engine or no's Avatar
2Wheels Engine or no
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Downshifting Poll . . .

I tend to downshift anytime I'm slowing. One thing to keep in mind is that no brake light comes on when downshifted to let those behind you know that you are slowing. Not a bad idea to tap the brakes, although I usually don't think of it.
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 12:42 PM
  #5  
bikerdog134's Avatar
bikerdog134
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 883
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Downshifting Poll . . .

i downshoft a lot more than i brake althouge when in traffic i squeeze the brake lever 3 times quickly to let people know im stoping
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 12:51 PM
  #6  
DannyZ71's Avatar
DannyZ71
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Default RE: Downshifting Poll . . .

"Why not, Minot? Freezin's the reason".


Sorry, had to. Stationed up there in 1977. I didn't know it got that cold in the U.S.

Let the engine do the majority of braking. Saves wear and tear. And definately don't lug the motor when cruising.
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 01:05 PM
  #7  
joe.1955's Avatar
joe.1955
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 110
From: Mesa, Az.
Default RE: Downshifting Poll . . .

I always downshift, it's hard to take off in 6th.

Seriously, I let the engine slow me down unless I have to stop REAL fast. It's good to keep the RPM's up in case you need to avoid a problem.
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 01:59 PM
  #8  
JRK5892's Avatar
JRK5892
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 19,481
Likes: 25
From: Chicago suburbs (Elgin/Schaumburg)
Default RE: Downshifting Poll . . .

nope! brake pads are cheaper and easier to change than a new clutch... got out of this habit when i got the bike... ok ok i do on occasion when i am going by a hot chick and want the deep rumble... GUILTY
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 02:07 PM
  #9  
up in minot's Avatar
up in minot
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: NH - Why not Minot, ND
Default RE: Downshifting Poll . . .

DannyZ71, yeah tell me about it! The coldest I've seen in my 5 years here has been -72F (winter '03-'04)with the windchill, and -55F (this past winter) without the windchill!!!
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2008 | 02:15 PM
  #10  
ClarkFXDC's Avatar
ClarkFXDC
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Ft Lauderdale, FL
Default RE: Downshifting Poll . . .

Lugging the motor is a lot worse then clutch wear. Match your engine speed to road speed. Lugging is hard on the crank & transmission.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:46 AM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE