When Do you Shift?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
When my wife got her own bike, she asked when she should shift.
I told her,
"Whenever you feel like it. Don't worry about it. If you go too high, the limiter will take care of it."
We switch off between bikes some though, and I think we both keep the Dyna above 2500 rpm most of the time just to keep the vibration down. Except that sometimes the vibration feels good, so what the heck?
I told her,
"Whenever you feel like it. Don't worry about it. If you go too high, the limiter will take care of it."
We switch off between bikes some though, and I think we both keep the Dyna above 2500 rpm most of the time just to keep the vibration down. Except that sometimes the vibration feels good, so what the heck?
Last edited by Warp Factor; Aug 13, 2014 at 06:26 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 5
From: Coweta, Oklahoma
When my wife got her own bike, she asked when she should shift.
I told her,
"Whenever you feel like it. Don't worry about it. If you go too high, the limiter will take care of it."
We switch off between bikes some though, and I think we both keep the Dyna above 2500 rpm most of the time just to keep the vibration down. Except that sometimes the vibration feels good, so what the heck?
I told her,
"Whenever you feel like it. Don't worry about it. If you go too high, the limiter will take care of it."
We switch off between bikes some though, and I think we both keep the Dyna above 2500 rpm most of the time just to keep the vibration down. Except that sometimes the vibration feels good, so what the heck?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
"Lugging" is kind of an archaic term which doesn't apply very well to engines with modern electronic controls.
Way back when, a combination of low rpm and high throttle opening could result in detonation, which could be very destructive. Not something one needs to worry about much any more, with detonation sensors, electronic timing retard, manifold air pressure sensors, etc.
So what exactly do you mean by "lugging" a computer controlled engine, what is the harm done, and what is the mechanism behind the harm?
Way back when, a combination of low rpm and high throttle opening could result in detonation, which could be very destructive. Not something one needs to worry about much any more, with detonation sensors, electronic timing retard, manifold air pressure sensors, etc.
So what exactly do you mean by "lugging" a computer controlled engine, what is the harm done, and what is the mechanism behind the harm?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
Why do we usually run 2500 rpm or higher on the rubbermount bike? Strictly for comfort. With the compliance chosen for the mounts, that happens to be the point where less vibration is transferred to the rider.
On the other bike with the balance shaft engine, we often run lower rpms than on the Dyna, since vibration felt by the rider is about the same at any rpm.
On the other bike with the balance shaft engine, we often run lower rpms than on the Dyna, since vibration felt by the rider is about the same at any rpm.
Last edited by Warp Factor; Aug 13, 2014 at 08:40 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,791
Likes: 57
From: N Texas
"Lugging" is kind of an archaic term which doesn't apply very well to engines with modern electronic controls.
Way back when, a combination of low rpm and high throttle opening could result in detonation, which could be very destructive. Not something one needs to worry about much any more, with detonation sensors, electronic timing retard, manifold air pressure sensors, etc.
So what exactly do you mean by "lugging" a computer controlled engine, what is the harm done, and what is the mechanism behind the harm?
Way back when, a combination of low rpm and high throttle opening could result in detonation, which could be very destructive. Not something one needs to worry about much any more, with detonation sensors, electronic timing retard, manifold air pressure sensors, etc.
So what exactly do you mean by "lugging" a computer controlled engine, what is the harm done, and what is the mechanism behind the harm?
"Lugging" is kind of an archaic term which doesn't apply very well to engines with modern electronic controls.
Way back when, a combination of low rpm and high throttle opening could result in detonation, which could be very destructive. Not something one needs to worry about much any more, with detonation sensors, electronic timing retard, manifold air pressure sensors, etc.
So what exactly do you mean by "lugging" a computer controlled engine, what is the harm done, and what is the mechanism behind the harm?
Way back when, a combination of low rpm and high throttle opening could result in detonation, which could be very destructive. Not something one needs to worry about much any more, with detonation sensors, electronic timing retard, manifold air pressure sensors, etc.
So what exactly do you mean by "lugging" a computer controlled engine, what is the harm done, and what is the mechanism behind the harm?
What you describe makes perfect sense, but I've always referred to the jerking motion of an engine in a high gear at a low speed as 'lugging' also. Not much of a dilemma at highway speeds, but when cruising around town if I end up in 5th gear doing 45-50mph, and do not downshift when slowing to a stop (say at a stoplight). If I stay in 5th gear and the bike gets to 20mph or less the engine will lurch back and forth right before stalling (it's been a LONG time since I've made this mistake, so I'm guessing on the gear and speed, but you get my point.) Always thought of that sharp jerking as 'lugging'
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
I admit this is an interesting point but it is the first time that I have heard that lugging is not a problem. I think I will stick with the crowd and not lug, I do not think all the things you mentioned can keep up with poor riding decisions. Not trying to irritate, because I love to hear from contrarians!
Even Harley has dropped top-gear highway rpms quite a bit on their bikes in the last eight years, after they got some pretty sophisticated computerized controls.
"JamesRHey", sure, if you try to drive the bike below idle speed, it won't run very well. And you may not be able to go very low if you have aftermarket cams. I've had a couple of cars with big cams that were pretty much undriveable under 2000 rpm. But both my Harleys (stock cams) drive fine at idle rpm.