Sixth Gear
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
Someone said whatever feels good to you. Everyone has different riding styles. Some run consistently at 3000 rpms other prefer 2500 and some maybe in the 2200 range. I myself use 6th gear as low as 65mph on the highway on a long stretch with open road, in heavier traffic I'll stay in 5th.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 796
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
I keep trying to, but it's not working! 
I would like to have it for 65-70 mph plus runs on the highway. That said, my bike runs fine in 5th up to ~95. And while I'd like to have it, I can think of better ways to spend that $5k.
I would like to have it for 65-70 mph plus runs on the highway. That said, my bike runs fine in 5th up to ~95. And while I'd like to have it, I can think of better ways to spend that $5k.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee area
I just got back from a long road trip. Heading home, across boringly flat Indiana, I turned on the ghetto-cruise and got the throttle set just right to hold steady speed (70mph) in 6th. Then, I kicked it down into 5th, to see what would happen. I had a feeling that 5th might be more efficient. Without touching the throttle, after downshifting, my speed would creep up. I'd get the throttle set just right again, and shift back to 6th. Sure enough, speed would bleed off.
All along the trip, using 6th, I had been getting ~40mpg, consistently. For the last leg, I didn't use 6th and got 44.12 mpg.
Honestly, what is 6th gear needed for?
All along the trip, using 6th, I had been getting ~40mpg, consistently. For the last leg, I didn't use 6th and got 44.12 mpg.
Honestly, what is 6th gear needed for?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: Micawber, Manitoba
Depends on mods. Downshift to 5th at 60 and upshift to 6th at 65. Using Stage II with bagger cams with low end toque. Love the Limited.
Always thought revving 3 grand at just over 60 in 5th with my FXDXT-Sport was a bit much.
Always thought revving 3 grand at just over 60 in 5th with my FXDXT-Sport was a bit much.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: Durban South Africa
6th gear
I just got back from a long road trip. Heading home, across boringly flat Indiana, I turned on the ghetto-cruise and got the throttle set just right to hold steady speed (70mph) in 6th. Then, I kicked it down into 5th, to see what would happen. I had a feeling that 5th might be more efficient. Without touching the throttle, after downshifting, my speed would creep up. I'd get the throttle set just right again, and shift back to 6th. Sure enough, speed would bleed off.
All along the trip, using 6th, I had been getting ~40mpg, consistently. For the last leg, I didn't use 6th and got 44.12 mpg.
Honestly, what is 6th gear needed for?
All along the trip, using 6th, I had been getting ~40mpg, consistently. For the last leg, I didn't use 6th and got 44.12 mpg.
Honestly, what is 6th gear needed for?
Last edited by nigelgeast; May 25, 2011 at 05:07 AM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 724
Likes: 2
From: SC Lowcountry
Took a 1100 mile trip last week, with 190 miles one way on the interstate to our base camp for our mountain riding (Blue Ridge). At 70-75 on the interstate, with a windshield and approx 30 lbs of luggage, my 2010 FXDC made 49 to 51 mpg. Only mods are a pair of XIED's.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee area
Screamin' Eagle slip-ons, windshield, 25lbs of luggage, no tuner. Followed my buddy who had honest-to-goodness cruise control set at 70. In 6th, the slight terrain changes required a lot more throttle opening then when in 5th, for the very minor fluctuations in speed. I don't have a tach, so I don't know what revs I was turning. 5th was silky smooth purr at a crack above idle, 6th would get lumpy, chuggy on anything but absolutely dead flat where more than just a crack past idle was needed.