shifting ?
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 303
Likes: 3
From: dixon il
shifting ?
ok so my 04 heritage appears to like being in the highest gear possible. 1st 0-10 mph, 2nd 10-20, and so on at 50 mph she runs smoother in 5th gear.
now i just read how its better on the tranny too shift late then if you shift early.
in the lower gear she sounds louder and seems to be trying harder, when I shift up she gets real quiet and smooth.
I can cruise down the road at 30 mph in 2nd no problem but gertrude really seems to prefer 3rd for this. I of course only want whats best for her.
I do not have a tach, or any riding experience other than yesterdays 120 in town miles, or any rider friends to show me how they do it.
you guys are the only family I got. please help me grow into a right and proper harley owner.
now i just read how its better on the tranny too shift late then if you shift early.
in the lower gear she sounds louder and seems to be trying harder, when I shift up she gets real quiet and smooth.
I can cruise down the road at 30 mph in 2nd no problem but gertrude really seems to prefer 3rd for this. I of course only want whats best for her.
I do not have a tach, or any riding experience other than yesterdays 120 in town miles, or any rider friends to show me how they do it.
you guys are the only family I got. please help me grow into a right and proper harley owner.
Premium Sponsor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 967
Likes: 40
From: Reno, NV
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 303
Likes: 3
From: dixon il
from the jerry jeff walker song. if your not familiar with it you should look it up. then you will understand. lol
gertrude doesnt look as pretty as id like her too, but she sure gives me everything I need.
gertrude doesnt look as pretty as id like her too, but she sure gives me everything I need.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 2
From: Novi MI
Without a tach, I used to shift by the sound of the engine. The gear I cruised in, depending on the speed, was the highest gear possible as long as it's not lugging. 30 in 3rd is probably the slowest you want to go in 3rd and I'd down shift to accelerate.
Last edited by barjbar; Jul 25, 2012 at 10:14 AM.
Trending Topics
When I first started learning how to drive when I was a kid, I tried to make the engine sound like it did whenever my dad was driving. Just listen and feel it, quit paying attention to the tach. You're overthinking it again.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
From: Down the road a bit in Texas
I kept thinking and thinking of someway to help you learn when to shift, but sorry god, I just can't seem to get past the Gertrude part.
Please don't send me into eternal damnation now, k?
Gertrude???
Please don't send me into eternal damnation now, k?
Gertrude???
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 987
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
It really all depends on your riding style.
There are days where I take 1st all the way to 30 and 2nd all the way to 70.
There are days where I take 1st to 20, 2nd to 30, and 3rd to 40.
Ride more. If you think your bike is lugging, downshift. If you think it is revving high, upshift. Some days I run 30MPH in 3rd because traffic sucks and I have to hit my brakes and dip below 30. Some days I can run 30MPH in 4th because the traffic is so much smoother and I never dip below 30.
There are days where I take 1st all the way to 30 and 2nd all the way to 70.
There are days where I take 1st to 20, 2nd to 30, and 3rd to 40.
Ride more. If you think your bike is lugging, downshift. If you think it is revving high, upshift. Some days I run 30MPH in 3rd because traffic sucks and I have to hit my brakes and dip below 30. Some days I can run 30MPH in 4th because the traffic is so much smoother and I never dip below 30.