Which gear?
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,789
Likes: 9
From: Double Oak, Texas
So the Warrior was actually revving 3K rpm in 5th gear and goind 72 or 73 mph.
The Harley speedos of at least current production bikes, is dead on.
6th gear on my Fat Bob, indicating a REAL 80 mph is done right at 3,000 RPM, maybe a tad less RPM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 505
Likes: 2
Not really happy to go into 6th until 75/80mph, below that is too sluggish, sometimes go at 70 if it's a long dull stretch where I'm just cruising but if I want to move then I downshift. I need to get a rev counter so I know exactly what the engine is doing but I prefer to keep the revs above 3000 usually and I'm not doing that yet
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 4
From: The Great River Road, Wisconsin
That is interesting due to the fact even 6th gear is an underdrive. I read somewhere all gears are less than a 1:1 ratio, where with an "overdrive" gear you can expect that reponse from any machine, unless its a horsepower "monster".
Last edited by VTL nut; Jun 20, 2009 at 08:50 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,789
Likes: 9
From: Double Oak, Texas
6200RPM in 5th gear is about 144 mph.
I can get my bike on level ground, tucked way down, mirrors off, cool air no wind, and 600 feet elevation in 5th gear to 138mph. It takes it nearly a mile to get there and it gets thru a standing 1/4 at 116 mph.
The faster you go, the more drag comes into play, rising with the square of velocity or close to it. With this bike having no drag reducing fairings, it is simply horsepower/ drag limited to about 138 to 140, and so far I have only been willing/able to coax about 126 in 6th gear.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 6
From: Greenfield, Massachusetts
I KNEW if I did a search I'd find an answer. I have been wondering about 6th gear for a long time. Then yesterday I did a ride, mostly highway, by myself, and so had a chance to do some "experimenting". Even 65 seems to0 low for my bike to feel/sound comfortable in 6th (yeah, I rely on feel and sound since no tach which I wouldn't have a clue how to read or understand one if I did).
Anyway, at 70, it seemed a bit better, but even STILL the engine didn't sound or feel quite right. It wasn't "lugging", but almost "rattling"? Can't quite describe it. But by 75 it seemed to smooth out. And then I had to slow down. Since it was a 55 mph highway.
.
All the responses seem to indicate a) each bike can be different, b) my experience seems to be right in line with many of you. So thanks. I feel better now.
Anyway, at 70, it seemed a bit better, but even STILL the engine didn't sound or feel quite right. It wasn't "lugging", but almost "rattling"? Can't quite describe it. But by 75 it seemed to smooth out. And then I had to slow down. Since it was a 55 mph highway.
.All the responses seem to indicate a) each bike can be different, b) my experience seems to be right in line with many of you. So thanks. I feel better now.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 953
Likes: 1
From: underground
Same here. I have an Andrews 30 tooth pulley ordered right now. UPS tracking says I'll have it next Tuesday... Have you swapped your 32 out for the 30 yet? If so, any pictures of the procedure? I haven't even opened my primary yet so I don't really know exactly what I'm getting into...
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From:
my power band seems to be 3.5-4.5K and my shift light is set to 4.5.
I highly recommend a tach.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From:
My bike puts out its top hp and torque near the top of the rev zone (6200RPM) versus 5500RPM stock.
6200RPM in 5th gear is about 144 mph.
I can get my bike on level ground, tucked way down, mirrors off, cool air no wind, and 600 feet elevation in 5th gear to 138mph. It takes it nearly a mile to get there and it gets thru a standing 1/4 at 116 mph.
The faster you go, the more drag comes into play, rising with the square of velocity or close to it. With this bike having no drag reducing fairings, it is simply horsepower/ drag limited to about 138 to 140, and so far I have only been willing/able to coax about 126 in 6th gear.
6200RPM in 5th gear is about 144 mph.
I can get my bike on level ground, tucked way down, mirrors off, cool air no wind, and 600 feet elevation in 5th gear to 138mph. It takes it nearly a mile to get there and it gets thru a standing 1/4 at 116 mph.
The faster you go, the more drag comes into play, rising with the square of velocity or close to it. With this bike having no drag reducing fairings, it is simply horsepower/ drag limited to about 138 to 140, and so far I have only been willing/able to coax about 126 in 6th gear.