Shifting a 2007 softail
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Stage II
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: tacoma
Shifting a 2007 softail
hey so I have 6 speed 2007 softail custom and its my first bike. Im just looking around trying to find out when I should be shifting gears? Cause I dont have rpm counter and I just kinda find it hard to believe the my bike shifts into 6th gear at 55 when my max speed is 120. So if I can get any recommendations on where to look for the answer or if someone can tell me that would greatly be appreciated.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 280
Likes: 103
From: Manitoba
Depends on rate of acceleration. If you are just putting away from a light on a surface street you want to switch gears once RPMs are high enough that the engine wont lug in the taller gear.
If you are hard on it in full race mode, you want to switch gears just prior to the point where the pistons seek daylight.
Generally, normal driving is in between these two points.
If you are hard on it in full race mode, you want to switch gears just prior to the point where the pistons seek daylight.
Generally, normal driving is in between these two points.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 560
Likes: 88
From: Gila Bend AZ
My general rule unless I need to merge pass or get out of the way is 1st-2nd @10-15 mph, 2nd-3rd @25, 3rd-4th @ 35, 4th-5th @ 45, I don't use 6th Until 65+. JMHO, It works for me, 2016 Deluxe.
Rise safe.
Rise safe.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
The answers are in the owners manual. Honestly (and this is constructive) I think you need to understand the feel and need of when to up and downshift - if you dont youre dangerous..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
Back when I was learning how to ride/drive a vehicle, I never had a tach so I learned how to shift by listening to the sound of the motor. It's amazing sometimes what a person can learn by just listening to the sound of their motor.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
Bingo!
Thread Starter
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Stage II
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: tacoma
Im partly def
Depends on rate of acceleration. If you are just putting away from a light on a surface street you want to switch gears once RPMs are high enough that the engine wont lug in the taller gear.
If you are hard on it in full race mode, you want to switch gears just prior to the point where the pistons seek daylight.
Generally, normal driving is in between these two points.
If you are hard on it in full race mode, you want to switch gears just prior to the point where the pistons seek daylight.
Generally, normal driving is in between these two points.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,040
Likes: 12,960
From: Texas, USA
It sounds like, no pun intended, you need to get yourself a tachometer. The problem with relying on a tachometer to know when to shift is that your attention will always be on the tach and not on the road.
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