total beginner question on shifting
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,858
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
This may sound ridiculous but earplugs help. With no shield it's hard to tell sometimes with the wind noise. With the plugs in I really know where I'm at with the rpm. The speedo helps but I don't rely on it.
It comes with time.
Good job taking the course.
It comes with time.
Good job taking the course.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 4
From: Somewhere In NY
here in NY I can wave my road test if I take one which is awesome I hate road tests lol
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 4
From: Saginaw, MI
Ok so I this is a total beginner question, but shoot I am a beginner. I have a 2002 Fatboy when cruising around 30-35 MPH what gear should I be in? I find that third it is a little lagging and in 4th it is fine and need very little throttle. But I also noticed that going over 50 was a little sluggish in 5th gear I think I was babying the throttle a little maybe I need to just open her up a little bit?
This is what I kind do as far as shifting, From first to second pretty fast around 10MPH then from 2nd to 3rd around 25 MPH, then from 3Rd to 4th around 35 MPH I cruise in 4th most of the time going between 30-45 MPH.
Again sorry for the total Newbie question but in the MSF we only ever went to third and I doubt we hit 30 MPH.
Thanks for any and all advice
This is what I kind do as far as shifting, From first to second pretty fast around 10MPH then from 2nd to 3rd around 25 MPH, then from 3Rd to 4th around 35 MPH I cruise in 4th most of the time going between 30-45 MPH.
Again sorry for the total Newbie question but in the MSF we only ever went to third and I doubt we hit 30 MPH.
Thanks for any and all advice
That is how I get out of the neighborhood at 5am. But really when the motor quits pullin....shift. You will learn when your bike needs a shift, just takes time in the seat. You will find that the longer you ride, your shift patterns may change just a little depending on your mood, and the road ahead of you. Have Fun.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
thanks all, tonight was much better it seems that between 30-40 I was in third no problem at all and when I got her up over 40 right into 4th then cruised at 50 in fourth.
This weekend I plan on putting a few hundred miles on it. Thanks for taking it easy on me being a newbie an all.
This weekend I plan on putting a few hundred miles on it. Thanks for taking it easy on me being a newbie an all.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 13
From: new jersey
I like to keep my engine at 2100 rpm that is where it feels right
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 463
Likes: 1
From: in a trailer next to a ditch in South Florida
12 or so mph per shift ending up at shifting into 6th at 70 mph or over if you had 6th. A lot of folks lug their engines you can actually rev them up a bit. I have a Street glide and I shift at 3000 to 3400 all the time when I'm just putting around and my rev limit is 6500 and Iv'e beed there too.
15mph into 2nd
25mph into 3rd
35mph into 4th
45mph into 5th
55mph into 6th
Downshift as needed to pass or accelerate. This has worked for me for the past 3 years...on uphills or heavily loaded use some common sense.
