6th gear
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 38
From: Caldwell, Idaho
Barbara, sounds like you felt comfortable in 5th gear. If you were running the rpm's too high I think you would be looking for the 6th. I do think I go to 6th around 55 mph, just because it does smooth out the ride. I would like to wait until at least 60 to shift up though and am going to be more conscience of it. I am really fearful of lugging my engine, even though I did it a lot in the beginning when it was a big NO NO before break in period. I found it funny though that my hubby lugged it more then I did. Drove me crazy!!! He's been shifting bikes for over 45 yrs. for pete's sake! He lugs his 06 Ultra all the time. Like he gets lazy shifting.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 264
Likes: 3
From: Coastal Bend Area, Texas
My hubby says he'll put TriGlide into 6th gear even riding 45-50... We had 6th gear on our '07 Softail so were used to it...
One you hit it, the ride is much smoother and here in Texas - mostly back roads too - the MPH is 70 or over...
He doesn't go by the tach....
Again, the weather conditions and/or road conditions will let you know if you can use 6th...
Have to say the reverse is fantastic... Oh, he said he remembers to park the TriGlide like he did with an automobile - you turned the wheels into the curb so vehicle wouldn't roll backwards... Will only use the parking break if the trike starts rolling once he's turned the engine off or something like that...
One you hit it, the ride is much smoother and here in Texas - mostly back roads too - the MPH is 70 or over...
He doesn't go by the tach....
Again, the weather conditions and/or road conditions will let you know if you can use 6th...
Have to say the reverse is fantastic... Oh, he said he remembers to park the TriGlide like he did with an automobile - you turned the wheels into the curb so vehicle wouldn't roll backwards... Will only use the parking break if the trike starts rolling once he's turned the engine off or something like that...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 138
From: NE Ohio
Myself personally, I wouldn't put it in 6th until about 65 mph unless I was on a billiard table flat road then I would consider 60. After riding my Dads Triglide I find that the extra weight of the Triglide is noticeable. It has good power but where I can shift my Ultra isn't where I can shift the Triglide. I found that I didn't even see 5th gear until 50 when the road was flat and then 55 if I was in an area with some hills. With the extra heft of the Triglide I wouldn't ride much below 2500 rpm unless the road is flat and then I wouldn't roll on the throttle very hard without dropping down a gear.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 555
Likes: 9
From: Billings, Montana
I hardly ever use 6th gear, I get much better gas mileage in 5th gear. It seems it lugs the engine down to much to use 6th. I will only use 6th if I am above 75 mph. In 5th gear, 70 mph is just a touch below 3000 rpm. If I run 60 to 65 mph in 5th gear, I get 40 mph. When I get up to 70 and above, the gas mileage jut goes down. I am thinking about dropping a tooth in the primary to make sixth gear more usable. Just my two cents worth.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,393
Likes: 2,060
From: N. Atlanta Burbs
A trike will get less mileage than a touring bike simply due to the added weight and wind resistance. I think I dropped about 6 MPG after converting.
As far as dropping a gear. I did that. Although my 07 has different ratio than the 09's I think it was a great idea. Changed the front belt pulley from 32 to 30 tooth and had to change the drive belt as well. It was too long. Had to change from a 37 to a 35 tooth drive belt.
My 6th gear @ 75mph is about 3000 RPM. I can easily shift into 6th @ 55 MPH @ about 2300 RPM but don't. Even with a cam and duals and EFI tuning it doesn't like it much for cruising.
There is something that I haven't seen mentioned in the trike forum just yet. The best darn engine that HD put out, in my opinion, is the 103. (I'm not a fan of the 110 at all) It's a tough little motor with plenty of potential. The best mod any TG can do is get rid of the factory smog cams. I'll stop here. It may take another thread to discuss.
As far as dropping a gear. I did that. Although my 07 has different ratio than the 09's I think it was a great idea. Changed the front belt pulley from 32 to 30 tooth and had to change the drive belt as well. It was too long. Had to change from a 37 to a 35 tooth drive belt.
My 6th gear @ 75mph is about 3000 RPM. I can easily shift into 6th @ 55 MPH @ about 2300 RPM but don't. Even with a cam and duals and EFI tuning it doesn't like it much for cruising.
There is something that I haven't seen mentioned in the trike forum just yet. The best darn engine that HD put out, in my opinion, is the 103. (I'm not a fan of the 110 at all) It's a tough little motor with plenty of potential. The best mod any TG can do is get rid of the factory smog cams. I'll stop here. It may take another thread to discuss.
Last edited by Mr. Wizard; Apr 12, 2009 at 05:45 AM.
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Joe Kucinski
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,792
Likes: 6
From: North East Ohio
A trike will get less mileage than a touring bike simply due to the added weight and wind resistance. I think I dropped about 6 MPG after converting.
As far as dropping a gear. I did that. Although my 07 has different ratio than the 09's I think it was a great idea. Changed the front belt pulley from 32 to 30 tooth and had to change the drive belt as well. It was too long. Had to change from a 37 to a 35 tooth drive belt.
My 6th gear @ 75mph is about 3000 RPM. I can easily shift into 6th @ 55 MPH @ about 2300 RPM but don't. Even with a cam and duals and EFI tuning it doesn't like it much for cruising.
There is something that I haven't seen mentioned in the trike forum just yet. The best darn engine that HD put out, in my opinion, is the 103. (I'm not a fan of the 110 at all) It's a tough little motor with plenty of potential. The best mod any TG can do is get rid of the factory smog cams. I'll stop here. It may take another thread to discuss.
As far as dropping a gear. I did that. Although my 07 has different ratio than the 09's I think it was a great idea. Changed the front belt pulley from 32 to 30 tooth and had to change the drive belt as well. It was too long. Had to change from a 37 to a 35 tooth drive belt.
My 6th gear @ 75mph is about 3000 RPM. I can easily shift into 6th @ 55 MPH @ about 2300 RPM but don't. Even with a cam and duals and EFI tuning it doesn't like it much for cruising.
There is something that I haven't seen mentioned in the trike forum just yet. The best darn engine that HD put out, in my opinion, is the 103. (I'm not a fan of the 110 at all) It's a tough little motor with plenty of potential. The best mod any TG can do is get rid of the factory smog cams. I'll stop here. It may take another thread to discuss.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,393
Likes: 2,060
From: N. Atlanta Burbs
I changed cams in one of my bikes while it was still under warranty. HD never noticed because I didn't use the adjustable push rod kit which also comes with new chrome push rod covers that are a dead give away. 
Does anyone know if the newer 103 cams are the quick change cams like the 07 and up models or do the bearings have to still be pressed on?
Does anyone know if the newer 103 cams are the quick change cams like the 07 and up models or do the bearings have to still be pressed on?