6 speed?
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
Anyhow, back to the RPM. We need to remember that the effective range of the EVO is roughly 1k-6kRPM. When you break it down to power range and where its comfortable running its imbalance, that range becomes 2500-6000.. So, in reality, while a cars evenly balaced engine can easily be cruised down the road at 12-1500 the HD just cannot.. 3500 is a perfectly acceptable "lower" end of range RPM for them.. In fact, Graham's mention of diesel was spot on.. You dont idle a diesel, nor do you cruise it at low speed w/o the risk of damage.. They make power in the middle, run it there, it will run all day..
Again, its an opinion, worth every penny....
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 7,811
From: SE Louisiana
I went from 3600 to 3100 @ 80mph and 5+ more mpg at that speed.
On long trips, I set it on 3200(83-ish), the bike is much happier and so am I.
I made a 5k trip last year with the 5 speed, and 4) 2k+ more since with the six, serves me well, speaking from experience, not hearsay.
6 speeds have their place, just not many places.
I'd never put one in my softail, it hardley ever goes more than a hundred miles from home, I actualy geared it the other way.
On long trips, I set it on 3200(83-ish), the bike is much happier and so am I.
I made a 5k trip last year with the 5 speed, and 4) 2k+ more since with the six, serves me well, speaking from experience, not hearsay.
6 speeds have their place, just not many places.
I'd never put one in my softail, it hardley ever goes more than a hundred miles from home, I actualy geared it the other way.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 691
Likes: 4
From: H-TOWN TEXAS
Over the years, I have tried many times, to insert automotive reasoning on these dinosaurs... I love my EVO's and wouldnt trade them for anything, but they are what they are, and they are NOT cars...
Anyhow, back to the RPM. We need to remember that the effective range of the EVO is roughly 1k-6kRPM. When you break it down to power range and where its comfortable running its imbalance, that range becomes 2500-6000.. So, in reality, while a cars evenly balaced engine can easily be cruised down the road at 12-1500 the HD just cannot.. 3500 is a perfectly acceptable "lower" end of range RPM for them.. In fact, Graham's mention of diesel was spot on.. You dont idle a diesel, nor do you cruise it at low speed w/o the risk of damage.. They make power in the middle, run it there, it will run all day..
Anyhow, back to the RPM. We need to remember that the effective range of the EVO is roughly 1k-6kRPM. When you break it down to power range and where its comfortable running its imbalance, that range becomes 2500-6000.. So, in reality, while a cars evenly balaced engine can easily be cruised down the road at 12-1500 the HD just cannot.. 3500 is a perfectly acceptable "lower" end of range RPM for them.. In fact, Graham's mention of diesel was spot on.. You dont idle a diesel, nor do you cruise it at low speed w/o the risk of damage.. They make power in the middle, run it there, it will run all day..
And like HGH said...... Just my opinion.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Absolutely not true...anything you gain on the top end by changing gear ratios, you lose on bottom end...so take two identical bikes with the same motor...On the first bike change the gear ratio to get a 500 rpm drop...on the second bike install a six speed to get the 500 rpm drop...the bike with the six speed will now run away from the 5 speed bike at a stoplight..that's just a mathematical fact of gear ratio advantage...I will never own another bike that does not have a 6 speed.
Last edited by Tom84FXST; Aug 27, 2014 at 04:12 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 23
From: Summit, Mississippi
I have to agree with Tom on this one. You really can't do a simple sprocket change and make a lot of difference without affecting the lower end of the gearing. For goodness sakes....my 98 RK will do 5mph at idle in first gear. If you make the top end taller...all you will do is make the low gearing taller as well. At some point in time MOCO changed the low end gearing, but I don't recall what year it was. I would like to have a little shorter 1st. and 2nd. gear, but the only remedy is to change gearing in the tranny. Just changing sprockets on either end affects all the gearing.
I will say that a combination of the two worked for my 6-speed (while I had it). It had a really short low end and pulled wonderfully out of the hole and you could creep along in first gear in traffic. I dropped a couple of teeth on the drive sprocket, which did increase the 6th. gear RPM by some 200 rpm, but the thing sure ran a lot better and you could almost coast along in first gear in slow traffic without having to constantly clutch it. You can even play with tire sizes in terms of aspect ratio and affect gearing. It's a combination of the drive pulley, driven pulley, diameter of the wheels and of course....how the tranny is geared.
I will say that a combination of the two worked for my 6-speed (while I had it). It had a really short low end and pulled wonderfully out of the hole and you could creep along in first gear in traffic. I dropped a couple of teeth on the drive sprocket, which did increase the 6th. gear RPM by some 200 rpm, but the thing sure ran a lot better and you could almost coast along in first gear in slow traffic without having to constantly clutch it. You can even play with tire sizes in terms of aspect ratio and affect gearing. It's a combination of the drive pulley, driven pulley, diameter of the wheels and of course....how the tranny is geared.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
This is why I wont do the 30t drive sprocket change. Yes it would pull like a mother out of the hole but at freeway speed it would be screaming. Decided on installing a 124" instead.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 23
From: Summit, Mississippi
Agreed. I only did it in concert with the 6-speed gear-box to find a little better place to run in 6th. and it worked wonderfully. I gave up a little RPM drop and it ran closer to 2900 as opposed to 2700 in overdrive, but it did solve all the problems I had. If you're going to run in 6th., you need a good horse under you, especially with a rider and all the baggage added. You may be surprised to discover what a wife just "has" to carry along on a 2-week trip and mine can pack more on a bagger than one can stuff into a steamer trunk.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 103
From: St. Louis, MO
Use ear plugs! Your bike doesn't need another gear, it's rider who is the weak link here! Increased noise levels, from all manner of sources, including the wind, increase rider stress, ear plugs take the bulk of that noise away. I've been riding since the 70s with plugs.
On the subject of fuel consumption, the bike still has to produce the same amount of power, whatever the gearing, to maintain a given road speed, so mpg ain't goin' to change. In fact if using the extra gear to increase road speed (just as easy with a stock trans) consumption will increase.
An Evo is quite happy travelling at around 90mph with stock gearing and only mild performance increases (stage 1 plus cam). Plus ear plugs......
On the subject of fuel consumption, the bike still has to produce the same amount of power, whatever the gearing, to maintain a given road speed, so mpg ain't goin' to change. In fact if using the extra gear to increase road speed (just as easy with a stock trans) consumption will increase.
An Evo is quite happy travelling at around 90mph with stock gearing and only mild performance increases (stage 1 plus cam). Plus ear plugs......
But that said, unless you drive your motorcycle 50,000 miles a year, the modest fuel savings from a 6 speed are not going to pencil out financially (and even at 50k I don't think it pencils in a reasonable amount of time, I'm too lazy to pencil it on my phone).
IMHO It does make sense if you have a broken transmission or if you want the lower cruise rpm for sound reasons. My Evo at 80 was so loud it was just ear splitting. But cars noticed me, which is good!
And if I did get a 6 speed, which I might for sound on highway, it will be a Baker based on my observations of their excellent customer service.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
Like any other gear if you are lugging in 6th then you shifted to early. At 75mph I'm at about 2700 rpms. If you don't ride long miles at 70mph+ then there is no need for a 6 speed . It is for comfort no doubt and it is not for everyone some people enjoy a shovel 4 speed at 90 shaking their nuts out out of their sack, heck I do just not for long periods.
You know, with all the discussion of why not to go with a 6spd. I thought it was worth noting your response here Mark.. Baker, like any other company, relies on sales to remain in business. Your comments here are very telling of the kind of company you guys operate.. I, for one, appreciate the honesty.. Make no mistake, if I ever do decide to go with a 6spd, you guys will be on the very top of my list.. Of course, as I have previously, I'll continue to browse your other stuff when I need something.. Again, thanks!!