question
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 1,323
From: Black Hills of SD
The reason is that the speed limits here are almost all 55 mph. When I am in fourth gear at 55 mph it seems to be reving a bit high but when I put it in 5th it seems it might be lugging. I have been told and I dont know if its true that the twin cams like to have their rpms on the high side so I would like to know if I am over reving in 4th or lugging in 5th. I have looked into getting a Speedo with tack but Harley doesn't make one for the 02 fatboy and I want to keep my bike all Harley. I would like to keep my revs just under 3000 so that is why I am asking
Totally get the whole "All Harley" comment - me too.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,928
From: NorCal
Yeah sometimes I find myself in 5th at 45mph just not paying attention or being tired. That's just over 2000 rpm. Which is lugging it. You shouldn't be under 2000 rpm in any gear other than 1st. But like I said my bike at 55 in 4th is under 3000rpm.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,007
Likes: 11,010
From: San Diego, CA
Lugging the engine is not just RPM....
It's the combo of RPM and load....
Given the same gear, just because you are at a lower RPM, doesn't mean you are lugging it... and just because you are at a higher rpm, doesn't mean you aren't lugging it...
Going 2500 rpm in 5th gear on a flat road (or slight downhill grade), could be totally appropriate...
Going 3000 rpm in 5th gear, two-up with touring gear, on a steep hill can be lugging it....
Learn to listen to your engine, it will tell you if you are lugging it, then just downshift....
I currently have two bikes with no tach, I really don't feel I need one, and so I don't give RPM a second thought when riding those bikes... I just listen to the engine and downshift/upshift... On the bike with the tach, I'll note my RPMs from time to time, but don't use the tach to upshift or downshift... I shift based on the sound of the engine...
FWIW... A well tuned and maintained Twin Cam can cruise at 3500RPMs all day long..... I know this for a fact...
It's the combo of RPM and load....
Given the same gear, just because you are at a lower RPM, doesn't mean you are lugging it... and just because you are at a higher rpm, doesn't mean you aren't lugging it...
Going 2500 rpm in 5th gear on a flat road (or slight downhill grade), could be totally appropriate...
Going 3000 rpm in 5th gear, two-up with touring gear, on a steep hill can be lugging it....
Learn to listen to your engine, it will tell you if you are lugging it, then just downshift....
I currently have two bikes with no tach, I really don't feel I need one, and so I don't give RPM a second thought when riding those bikes... I just listen to the engine and downshift/upshift... On the bike with the tach, I'll note my RPMs from time to time, but don't use the tach to upshift or downshift... I shift based on the sound of the engine...
FWIW... A well tuned and maintained Twin Cam can cruise at 3500RPMs all day long..... I know this for a fact...
Last edited by hattitude; Apr 25, 2022 at 07:59 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,928
From: NorCal
Lugging the engine is not just RPM....
It's the combo of RPM and load....
Given the same gear, just because you are at a lower RPM, doesn't mean you are lugging it... and just because you are at a higher rpm, doesn't mean you aren't lugging it...
Going 2500 rpm in 5th gear on a flat road (or slight downhill grade), could be totally appropriate...
Going 3000 rpm in 5th gear, two-up with touring gear, on a steep hill can be lugging it....
Learn to listen to your engine, it will tell you if you are lugging it, then just downshift....
I currently have two bikes with no tach, I really don't feel I need one, and so I don't give RPM a second thought when riding those bikes... I just listen to the engine and downshift/upshift... On the bike with the tach, I'll note my RPMs from time to time, but don't use the tach to upshift or downshift... I shift based on the sound of the engine...
FWIW... A well tuned and maintained Twin Cam can cruise at 3500RPMs all day long..... I know this for a fact...
It's the combo of RPM and load....
Given the same gear, just because you are at a lower RPM, doesn't mean you are lugging it... and just because you are at a higher rpm, doesn't mean you aren't lugging it...
Going 2500 rpm in 5th gear on a flat road (or slight downhill grade), could be totally appropriate...
Going 3000 rpm in 5th gear, two-up with touring gear, on a steep hill can be lugging it....
Learn to listen to your engine, it will tell you if you are lugging it, then just downshift....
I currently have two bikes with no tach, I really don't feel I need one, and so I don't give RPM a second thought when riding those bikes... I just listen to the engine and downshift/upshift... On the bike with the tach, I'll note my RPMs from time to time, but don't use the tach to upshift or downshift... I shift based on the sound of the engine...
FWIW... A well tuned and maintained Twin Cam can cruise at 3500RPMs all day long..... I know this for a fact...
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,709
Likes: 640
From: San Ramon, Ca
I usually shift into 5th around 60 mph
Last edited by byersmtrco; Apr 26, 2022 at 05:52 PM. Reason: added
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 1,131
From: Southconsin
Oh, I almost forgot here is my completely stock oil bag.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Poolville
https://www.gearingcommander.com/
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Apr 27, 2022 at 05:43 AM.
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