When do you shift!

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Jun 26, 2011 | 09:20 AM

#11

blueangel73

Thread Starter

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 3,949

Likes: 150

From: South of Mordor

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratbob81

maybe we could get together for a ride sometime.

Sounds good, I am up that way once and a while visiting family in Severn.

Jun 26, 2011 | 10:16 AM

#12

JaronB

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 5,120

Likes: 17

From: Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by 128auto

Well I don't shift by speed at all, depends on how hard I ride, whenever I feel like I max out the power at higher rpm, I upshift. On the other hand, I downshift when I feel the motor lugging. Yesterday I rode pretty hard, 2nd gear hits 60mph and shift to 3rd lol. Forget about the speed, riding on a steep hill could make a difference, listen to your engine, you know when to shift.

+1. And for me some days like yesterday the bike just doesn't want to be in the higher gear. I was cruising at 60-65 most of the ride and the bike didn't like 6th. How it tells me is the extra vibes and a slight lugging. Drop it back into 5th and it all goes away, no vibes and has the get up. On warmer days I can cruise 60mph in 6th no problem. I don't pay attention to speed for shifting till I get to 60-65 to see if I'm going to use 6th or not. I just use the feel of the bike. I would probably use a tach if I had one though.

Oh and rev limiter hit at about 90mph in 3rd.. So 30 mph increments is good.

Last edited by JaronB; Jun 26, 2011 at 10:21 AM.

Jun 26, 2011 | 10:26 AM

#13

128auto

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 10,114

Likes: 29

From: Vancouver B.C. Canada

Hey JaronB, where abouts are you in WA? I ride Washington few times a year, Mt. Baker, Chuckanut, hwy 9 etc. See you at Oyster run 11.

Jun 26, 2011 | 10:40 AM

#14

PigInaBlanket

Club Member

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 10,815

Likes: 16

From: Virginia

I always shift when it needs to be in a different gear...

Jun 26, 2011 | 10:44 AM

#15

skidder

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 12,566

Likes: 85

From: Calgary

When the motor goes vroooombaaaa I've made a good shift.

Jun 26, 2011 | 11:34 AM

#16

clicker01

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 1,745

Likes: 1

From: A house.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 128auto

+1 It's all about the load. Shift points at higher mph the harder you accelerate, and lower at a soft cruise.

Jun 26, 2011 | 11:59 AM

#17

lo-rider

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 4,990

Likes: 9

From: Marina del Rey

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueangel73

...This is where I have found myself shifting now. This is normal speed, not rocketing off the line!
2nd-20mph
3rd-30mph
4th-40mph
5th-50-55mph
6th-60-65mph

Does this seem right or am I shifting to early in the higher gears?

You're trying to over-think this. There is no set speed at which you should shift, and it would be just plain wrong to try to always shift at precisely the same speed/rpm. Shift points vary greatly depending on load, incline, traffic, road conditions,...

Listen to your motor--it'll tell you when to shift.

Jun 26, 2011 | 12:51 PM

#18

cjlandry

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 772

Likes: 0

From: Corpus Christi, TX

I found that I prefer to stay in a lower gear a little longer than I originally thought "felt right". Even longer when riding two-up or climbing hills.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zig Zag 2010

In the morning after my first cup of coffee.

LOL

I'm glad I'm not the only one who read it that way.

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Jun 26, 2011 | 01:54 PM

#19

CSS_FXD

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 1,824

Likes: 6

From: MN

To the OP your just about where i shift too. 50 mph and up I'm in my 5th gear. I only have 5 so no 6 for me but that would be nice.

Jun 26, 2011 | 01:55 PM

#20

JaronB

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 5,120

Likes: 17

From: Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by 128auto

Hey JaronB, where abouts are you in WA? I ride Washington few times a year, Mt. Baker, Chuckanut, hwy 9 etc. See you at Oyster run 11.

I'm west of Seattle across the water. I'm hoping to hit up the Oyster Run this year as long as I'm not away for work. The end of July I'm thinking about doing a cascade run with a couple forum members. It's not set in stone yet, but has been talked about.

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