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Mar 17, 2019 | 12:31 PM

Sunstone

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3rd Gear

Joined: Sep 2011

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Transmission

I've got a 2003 Softail, with a 5 speed trany, is it worth the cost to install a 6 speed?

Mar 17, 2019 | 12:48 PM

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 100,455

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From: Centennial, CO

How much highway or high speed riding do you do?

Mar 25, 2019 | 09:39 AM

hattitude

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 14,158

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From: San Diego, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunstone

I've got a 2003 Softail, with a 5 speed trany, is it worth the cost to install a 6 speed?

If your trans is in good shape, I'd say no

If you grenade your trans or it needs major work ($$$$) and you have the money, I'd say yes.

I have a couple older softails, an '01 Springer & '03 Heritage. I've owned the Heritage since new. It was at one time my only bike, and I drove it all over. Day trips, multi-day trips and several week long trips.... I never felt like I needed a 6 speed.

I now have a '16 Ultra (used to have a '12 Limited) that I now use for my long range, multi-day trips. The six speed is nice to have.....

After driving both, the worst thing about the five speed is that after a day or two of riding the six speed, I'll hop on a five speed bike and then try to shift into sixth sometimes when cruising down the freeway,,,,

While the six speed is a nice upgrade, I wouldn't spend the money to swap out a perfectly good five speed.....

Mar 26, 2019 | 12:33 AM

byersmtrco

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Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 3,714

Likes: 650

From: San Ramon, Ca

I plan to just gear it taller
Either 34T trans pulley or 27T eng
sprocket. 5th would be almost what
6th. is. (Some of the new bikes are geared
too tall). Plus it would give it 5 mph more
in each gear.
WAY cheaper than a new trans