My trusty ole 5-speed is perfectly happy cruising at around 90mph. See no need for an overdrive sixth, as that would just kill its performance!

 

My 80 inch top speed is 105 (only been there once). The reason I am looking at a 6 is to increase mpg at 75+. I recently took a trip and at 75 I get 36mpg.

Thank you for your help.

 

My speedo only goes up to 85mph. Luckily Baker doesnt make a 6 speed for my 84 Evo with a 5 speed dry clutch. Be hard riding around with a pegged speedo on the slab.

 

You can put a six speed in there, but it is definetly not a bolt in. You need to change a few parts like clutch, starter and on some the inner primary. We did a few about 6-7 years ago some the memory is a little fuzzy. With E-Bay you could probably rustle up the parts you need. Could be a winter project. I love it when somebody says "it won't work", me and the Bridgeport say bring it on!!!!

 

Here is the tricky part....The Baker Direct Drive 6-Speed comes with a larger compensating sprocket (27 or 28 tooth) to replace the stock (24 or 25 tooth) compensating sprocket...It also includes a primary chain with a few more links.

What the Baker kit does is raise the primary drive ratio while it has a 1:1 ratio in the trans while in 6th gear...It confused me at 1st until I saw the big picture!!!

 

At those speeds I don't think you will improve mpg by changing gearing. At 90-ish it comes down to around 30! Pushing a barn door along at speed gets demanding on power super fast.

Another thing to consider is that the cost of a 6-speed will keep you in gas for a long time. If say you will be happy with 40mpg, the extra cost of only 36mpg will take a long time to recover! Have you done a cost comparison? It ain't essential to do that of course, but it was worth the thought!

 

Recently installed a Baker OD6 gear set due to I changed my gear ratio for hard acceleration and was running tight at interstate speeds, the 6th gear came back to around the stock 5th gear was so everyones suggestions of keeping the 5 speed is experianced advice and nothing wrong with the 5 speed.

Now on the other hand, it is your bike and you are the one that enjoys riding your bike, if adding an item makes you feel better about your ride by pulling up another gear, then go for it. Take Mia's advise and drop the trans pully 1 tooth, it will help with getting to the best of both worlds of accelleration and make 6th more user friendly with a smaller engine.

The Baker shifts smoother than the HD but struggle with the price of them, if it wasn't for finding a take out Baker for the same price of the Ultima, I would of purchased an Ultima, Good luck with your decision.

 

I was also looking at a six speed because at 65mph I am running at 3500rpm that's ok but for long hyw rides I would like to be at about 3200rpm @70MPH from what I have heard about the baker 6 speed DD with the gear change 1st to 5th rpm should be about the same as stock then on the hyw 6th will give me what I am looking for. Don't know if it will help fuel MPG but the engine shouldn't lug 70 mph or higher would not use it at lower speeds and down shift to pass. Just my thoughts hope it helps.

 

The 6 speed is why I bought my dyna. I cruise on the highway at least 140 kms/hr and still get upwards of 40 mpg. If I stick to 100 kms/hr I am over 50 mpg. I love it

 

Not true at all...might want to read Bakers website yourself. The final gear ratio is a combination of the primary drive ratio, transmission ratio, and secondary drive ratio. The direct drive gets the gear reduction in the primary, the trans is geared completely different to give the same ratio as a five speed, in gears 1-5 and the same ratio as an overdrive in sixth...without actually overdriving the transmission...much more efficient. I have a baker 6 speed on a basically stock EVO and it was hands down the best mod I have ever done to the bike. If you will notice, the people who say you don't need a six speed, don't have one.