total beginner question on shifting
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 494
Likes: 60
From: Colorado Rockies
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 4
From: El Cajon Ca.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 519
Likes: 1
From: NY
I have a 2010 FB, cruising @ 35 mph I am usually in 3rd sometimes I may goto 4th if I know I will be at 35-40mph for a decent distance.
Keeps the engine revving low and just chillaxin on the move....
The biggest diff between yours and mine in I am EFI and you are Carb... Depending on how you have the carb set may change but I doubt it would have any major impact....
Keeps the engine revving low and just chillaxin on the move....
The biggest diff between yours and mine in I am EFI and you are Carb... Depending on how you have the carb set may change but I doubt it would have any major impact....
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: North of Boston
It's all about learning to "feel" when to shift. You need to practice to learn how to feel when the engine is reving too high or too low. If revs are too high, shift up. If they're too low, shift down. Too high and you'll hit the rev limiter / loose power / be really loud. Too low and you'll feel "bogged down" / like you're gonna stall / extra vibration. You learn to feel the "sweet spot" within the "power band" that you want to be in.
Then there's the "agressiveness" factor. If you're accelerating aggressively, you'll shift later (higher RPM, greater speed) than if you're accelerating leisurely.
Practice.
Then there's the "agressiveness" factor. If you're accelerating aggressively, you'll shift later (higher RPM, greater speed) than if you're accelerating leisurely.
Practice.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 206
Likes: 1
I agree with and will echo the suggestion that you shift when the bike tells you to. You should be focusing on the road and traffic, not constantly watching the tach and speedometer. You will get the feel of it. If the motor is racing, shift up. If it's bogging down at all, shift down. Be careful not to kick it down more than one gear at a time if you are moving very fast, though, you can lose traction at the rear wheel.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
e-yup
one other clue you waited to long to shift.. engine parts on the ground..
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 12
I have to go with the rev it up guys. You will find what your engine likes. Seriously the manual is a good guide, but you have to learn your bike. That is all there is to it. It took me a while to find where my bike likes to ride. I had to get use to the Big Twin. Now it is second nature. I like to keep the revs up because the bike is smoother, I have power when I need it, and I am not at risk of lugging the Big Twin.
Some times getting to cruise speed is dependent on traffic. Like rush hour. It sucks. Learn to leave for work earlier than usual. You will be much more relaxed, and your bike will be too.
Some times getting to cruise speed is dependent on traffic. Like rush hour. It sucks. Learn to leave for work earlier than usual. You will be much more relaxed, and your bike will be too.