Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch Find answers to general powertrain, primary and transmission. Have clutch issues and need suggestions? Post them here.

Questions About RPMs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 2, 2012 | 03:40 PM
  #1  
dyna-rider's Avatar
dyna-rider
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
15 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: Southern Illinois
Default Questions About RPMs

Just got a new Street Glide and need some info regarding the rpms and shifting. Searched the owner's manual and can't find what I need. Need to get a service manual asap. I have never had a tach before and want to know:

1. At what rpm should I up-shift?
2. What rpm should I down-shift?
3. What should the rpm be when at highway speed
to keep from lugging engine?

Any information will be greatly appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2012 | 04:29 PM
  #2  
bobbyb's Avatar
bobbyb
Stage I
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default

Most of the guys I ride with seem to agree with shifting right around 3000 rpm. It keeps you from lugging the motor and it is really when the bike starts to pull. I prefer to be around 2500 rpm when I downshift. When you're cruising on the highway, I would stay in 5th until you reach at least 60 mph. Any slower and you will feel the bike chugging. I have actually cruised at 75 mph in 5th and the bike didn't feel like it was winding out at all, so that shows how tall the 6th gear is on the new bikes.
 
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2012 | 08:31 PM
  #3  
dyna-rider's Avatar
dyna-rider
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
15 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: Southern Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by bobbyb
Most of the guys I ride with seem to agree with shifting right around 3000 rpm. It keeps you from lugging the motor and it is really when the bike starts to pull. I prefer to be around 2500 rpm when I downshift. When you're cruising on the highway, I would stay in 5th until you reach at least 60 mph. Any slower and you will feel the bike chugging. I have actually cruised at 75 mph in 5th and the bike didn't feel like it was winding out at all, so that shows how tall the 6th gear is on the new bikes.

Thanks. That's kind of the area I was thinking. I normally don't shift to 6th. until at least 65.
 
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2012 | 08:57 PM
  #4  
NevadaNick's Avatar
NevadaNick
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
Default

I run mine in the 2500 to 3200 rpm range
 
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2012 | 07:25 AM
  #5  
dyna-rider's Avatar
dyna-rider
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
15 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: Southern Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by NevadaNick
I run mine in the 2500 to 3200 rpm range
Thanks. That's about where I've been keeping mine.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
highwayking
Touring Models
61
May 4, 2010 04:26 AM
gstep51
Touring Models
4
Oct 6, 2008 09:28 PM
BlueRoad
Touring Models
2
Jun 13, 2007 05:06 PM
heartdoc
Touring Models
7
Aug 17, 2006 05:01 PM
onionfmr
Touring Models
7
Apr 16, 2006 11:57 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:01 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE