5 speed tranny annoys me ??
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,265
Likes: 99
From: Northern VA
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
Don't understand if you're talking about turns or curves. Turns, I always drop down to 2nd, and don't have an issue with it. ... but, your comments about "keeping speed through" (a turn) would seem more to indicate a curve. I have no desire to keep any significant amount of speed through a turn. As for curves... dunno, haven't been on any tight enough twisties where I had to drop down to 2nd.
Illinois AND 'twisties', in the same DAMMT post???? Bwahahahahahaha
H*LL, when I "RIDE" Ill., NEVER get outta 4th on the pan.
Who da H*LL wants to S-L-O-W down for THAT ???? 
WTH is this 2nd and "turd" geer chit ???
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
You need to time your rpms so when you downshift it is not an abrupt change but smooth then you can loosen the throttle and bleed off some speed if you need to. Sounds like you are just dropping it into second from third with the motor idling. That would be abrupt.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
The only problem I had with a five speed tranny was when the demo fleet was in town, and I tried a 883 sportster and I couln't find sixth for the life of me...
But there again, I'm used to an EG.
But there again, I'm used to an EG.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeaRiNiaCm4&
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
I was thinking more like this... (and a number of other little back roads out here in the boonies - a lot of roads that run along rivers, on either side, are pretty good too.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeaRiNiaCm4&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeaRiNiaCm4&
NOT TRUE !!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida, USA
I'm sure the closer ratios of a six-speed are more optimal than a five-speed. I have a 6-speed 2007 UC. Riding Skyline Drive this summer I was mainly in third, occasionally would hit fourth, but down shift back to third in some of the twistier sections. Running through PA to Somerset I was mainly in 6th on the Interstate, but again, only occasionally, I'd downshift to 5th for some of the steeper grades, primarily just to keep the engine from seeming to lug. I try to stay around 2500 to 3000 RPM on the expressway and on some of the steeper grades I'd find it dropping down around 2000. Don't know if that's the right way to do it or not, but it works for me, I'm comfortable riding like that and the bike seems to be happy too.
Completely different but the same knd of thing, I have an '85 Euro 930 Porsche. It's a four-speed. I also have an '84 Euro 911 Carrera that's a 5-speed. Porsche didn't think the 5-speed could handle the additional power and torque of the 930 back then. In 1986 they did finally put a beefed up 5-speed into the last year of 930 production. It's amazing at how many more shifts I have to throw in the 930 versus the Carrera on the same stretch of road. The biggest reason is to keep the 930 in the right RPM range so the turbo boost is always there and I don't need to wait for it to spool up. On the normally aspirated Carrera I don't have that issue.
Completely different but the same knd of thing, I have an '85 Euro 930 Porsche. It's a four-speed. I also have an '84 Euro 911 Carrera that's a 5-speed. Porsche didn't think the 5-speed could handle the additional power and torque of the 930 back then. In 1986 they did finally put a beefed up 5-speed into the last year of 930 production. It's amazing at how many more shifts I have to throw in the 930 versus the Carrera on the same stretch of road. The biggest reason is to keep the 930 in the right RPM range so the turbo boost is always there and I don't need to wait for it to spool up. On the normally aspirated Carrera I don't have that issue.