What speed do you change from 4th to 5th
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 467
From: anywhere
What speed do you change from 4th to 5th
I havee a 2002 harley fatboy. Its completley stock exept for Vance and Hines short shots with the extra quiet baffles. (ts a frankenstien trike) It doesnt have a tack. What speed do you change gears from 4th to 5th. The manual says at 45mph but that seems low.I have to ride about 20 miles the speed limit 50 miles an hour and it is well patroled by the police. So what speed do I change gears at?
Popular Reply
Aug 21, 2024, 09:56 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,156
Likes: 11,247
From: San Diego, CA
I havee a 2002 harley fatboy. Its completley stock exept for Vance and Hines short shots with the extra quiet baffles. (ts a frankenstien trike) It doesnt have a tack. What speed do you change gears from 4th to 5th. The manual says at 45mph but that seems low.I have to ride about 20 miles the speed limit 50 miles an hour and it is well patroled by the police. So what speed do I change gears at?
There are so many variables that no-one, not even the manual, can tell you when you should shift gears based on speed alone.... Shift speeds will change based on load, speed, geography, and a host of other variables...
Riding uphill solo is totally different than riding downhill 2-up, etc, etc, etc.....
I've never used my speedo to determine when I should shift up or down... I use my ears....
I shift up when my engine is running smoothly, and I know a gear change won't labor the engine at the current conditions....
I shift down when the engine is about to start laboring, or I need a rapid acceleration...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,156
Likes: 11,247
From: San Diego, CA
I havee a 2002 harley fatboy. Its completley stock exept for Vance and Hines short shots with the extra quiet baffles. (ts a frankenstien trike) It doesnt have a tack. What speed do you change gears from 4th to 5th. The manual says at 45mph but that seems low.I have to ride about 20 miles the speed limit 50 miles an hour and it is well patroled by the police. So what speed do I change gears at?
There are so many variables that no-one, not even the manual, can tell you when you should shift gears based on speed alone.... Shift speeds will change based on load, speed, geography, and a host of other variables...
Riding uphill solo is totally different than riding downhill 2-up, etc, etc, etc.....
I've never used my speedo to determine when I should shift up or down... I use my ears....
I shift up when my engine is running smoothly, and I know a gear change won't labor the engine at the current conditions....
I shift down when the engine is about to start laboring, or I need a rapid acceleration...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
I wouldn't be in 5th below 45mph and definitely not two up or putting a load on it. Right about 55 mph is good but 50 mph won't kill it. Learn what it sounds like at 50 and keep that in mind when in other gears too.
A tach is great if you can get one. I tell everyone "nothing below 2000 rpms except 1st gear and sometimes 2nd".
A tach is great if you can get one. I tell everyone "nothing below 2000 rpms except 1st gear and sometimes 2nd".
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,634
Likes: 2,903
From: Mostly Florida, some Michigan
On my '08 Heritage I normally shift into 5th gear at around 55 MPH. I have an aftermarket speedometer with a tach and like to ride between 2750 and 3000 RPM. Of course, going uphill or downhill can change things too.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
I never look at my sppedo as to when I need to up or down shift. Its all feel. Theres too many variables as stated above.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,894
Likes: 11,324
From: NE Ohio
it depends...
I go by feel, sound and road/traffic conditions
In general that puts me at these speeds
(on flat ground)
in traffic, 50-55+
No traffic, leisurely pace, flat ground, I bump 5th after 45
..L.T.A.
I go by feel, sound and road/traffic conditions
In general that puts me at these speeds
(on flat ground)
in traffic, 50-55+
No traffic, leisurely pace, flat ground, I bump 5th after 45
..L.T.A.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 567
Likes: 556
From: Northern plains
You have the Twin Cam 88b so that's a 1500cc engine, mated to a 5 speed transmission. I would shift up from 45 - 50 mph and not worry about it. The speedometer is most likely 3-5 mph off. No cop will ticket you, and your engine isn't lugging too low at that low speed. Generally, a stock TC88B is around 1800-2000 rpms at 45 - 50, in 5th gear.