I love my Evo
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Rode mine 463-miles from home to Woodward, OK, she never ran so good. Finally getting it dialed in, the latest was a new set of Accel plug wires. Have also added the EV27 cam, Dyna ignition and tuned the carb. The motor now runs much better, more power, and smooth. Ran 70mph most of the day with several downshift passes, 4th gear up to 80mph and shift to 5th. Seems the best between 65-70mph.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,727
Likes: 3,073
From: Brighton, MI
My sweet spot on the back roads is 55 mph in 4th gear turning about 3100 rpms. The bike likes it there.
I avoid the highway as much as possible. It's all about the back roads! YD
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 210
Likes: 12
From: Colorado
My sweat spot for 5th is right at about 50mph. I honestly have never pressed any further in the three years I've owned her.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 946
Likes: 29
From: my house
Stop lugging your motor, you'll thank us later.
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Joe Kucinski
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 9
From: Toledo, Ohio
Lugging? I just looked in the manual and found a shifting chart. It says 4th to 5th at 50mph.....exactly how the motor feels to me and how I've always shifted her. In fact, I've never experienced any lugging in 5th until deccelerating down around the 40mph range. I don't believe everything HD says, but their recommended shift points correlate to how the motor feels to me. I don't have a tach, but 60mph in 4th she was winding out pretty high. The only mod on my bike is an ev-27 cam. I'm no mechanic, so no clue if that factors in.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,868
Likes: 17,946
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
As long as the engine is running smooth, you are not lugging it. You are also not over revving it as long as an intense buzz isn't present while the engine sounds like it is begging for mercy.
The truth is, these old engines have a wide power band compared to a crotch rocket which does virtually nothing until it is spinning so fast it buzzes like a mosquito.
Your cam choice may affect how wide or narrow your power band is as well as what rpm it starts or stops.
If it feels like you are in the right gear, you probably are.
The truth is, these old engines have a wide power band compared to a crotch rocket which does virtually nothing until it is spinning so fast it buzzes like a mosquito.
Your cam choice may affect how wide or narrow your power band is as well as what rpm it starts or stops.
If it feels like you are in the right gear, you probably are.