When to shift gears with wind in the ears.
#1
07-30-2016, 01:13 PM
When to shift gears with wind in the ears.
I'm a noob and I have searched for an answer to this question, but end up only finding general questions about how to shift gears. So here is the scenario.
I have a 09 SB with a detachable windshield. I don't want to get into windshield vs no windshield, but the thing I'm really trying to figure out is knowing when to shift when I ride without the windshield. With the windshield on I can hear the engine well enough at any speed to know how hard it is running to shift up or down. I know, that is basic. But when riding without the windshield I can't hear anything above 30 MPH so it makes it difficult to know how hard the engine is running to know when to shift. I have learned about what gear to be in at what speeds for my bike, but I often forget what gear i'm in after just a few seconds. Short memory... I can't help that much. I am not asking anyone to tell me when to exactly shift, but looking for more of what I need to observe and pay attention to or maybe some tricks to coping with the wind noise. For example, I have found that if I turn my head 90 degrees to one side I can hear the engine.
So in short, what indicators and tricks do you guys have for handling this wind noise and knowing when to be in what gear? I love hearing about things from experienced riders and look forward to hearing your responses.
I have a 09 SB with a detachable windshield. I don't want to get into windshield vs no windshield, but the thing I'm really trying to figure out is knowing when to shift when I ride without the windshield. With the windshield on I can hear the engine well enough at any speed to know how hard it is running to shift up or down. I know, that is basic. But when riding without the windshield I can't hear anything above 30 MPH so it makes it difficult to know how hard the engine is running to know when to shift. I have learned about what gear to be in at what speeds for my bike, but I often forget what gear i'm in after just a few seconds. Short memory... I can't help that much. I am not asking anyone to tell me when to exactly shift, but looking for more of what I need to observe and pay attention to or maybe some tricks to coping with the wind noise. For example, I have found that if I turn my head 90 degrees to one side I can hear the engine.
So in short, what indicators and tricks do you guys have for handling this wind noise and knowing when to be in what gear? I love hearing about things from experienced riders and look forward to hearing your responses.
#3
07-30-2016, 01:21 PM
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#4
07-30-2016, 01:26 PM
I don't currently have a tach but I thought about getting one. HD makes one that I like the look of which is a single gauge with a digital speedometer display at the bottom and a tach gauge around the outside edges.
But since I don't have a tach I just go off of sound and feel... I know nothing new, but I am losing the sound part without the windshield.
But since I don't have a tach I just go off of sound and feel... I know nothing new, but I am losing the sound part without the windshield.
#7
07-30-2016, 01:52 PM
Extreme HDF Member
The trick for handling the wind noise is simple... wear ear plugs! That wind noise will cause you permanent hearing damage. I never ride without ear plugs; they'll block out the wind noise and let you actually hear your bike. I shift by sound, I rarely look at my tach and without ear plugs I'd not be as accurate with my upshifts or my rev-matched downshifts.
As you noted, turn your head and you can hear; you're blocking the wind noise to one ear... try ear plugs next time
As you noted, turn your head and you can hear; you're blocking the wind noise to one ear... try ear plugs next time
The following 2 users liked this post by TinCupChalice:
Campy Roadie (08-01-2016),
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#9
07-30-2016, 01:58 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
To answer the title of the thread, When to shift gears with wind in the ears...
the same as you would without wind in your ears
^ This
the same as you would without wind in your ears
The trick for handling the wind noise is simple... wear ear plugs! That wind noise will cause you permanent hearing damage. I never ride without ear plugs; they'll block out the wind noise and let you actually hear your bike. I shift by sound, I rarely look at my tach and without ear plugs I'd not be as accurate with my upshifts or my rev-matched downshifts.
As you noted, turn your head and you can hear; you're blocking the wind noise to one ear... try ear plugs next time
As you noted, turn your head and you can hear; you're blocking the wind noise to one ear... try ear plugs next time
The following users liked this post:
Loki1978 (07-31-2016)
#10
07-30-2016, 02:19 PM