At what mph do you guys(and girls)shift into 5th gear-I told my dealer my bike seemed to be surging at 55 in 5th gear and he said I was lugging the bike down, that I should still be in fourth.
My manual says to shift into 5th at 45 and he showed me some piece of paper that showed 70-something about the twin cam bikes - any thoughts?
Thanks, new fatboy owner
Terry

 

I cant imagine waiting past 50mph to get into 5th............at least for my 97 Heritage

 

I shift my 04 Fatboy into 5th at around 50. Has good pull at that speed.

 

Probably depends on what you're expecting out of it. I tool along all day long at 50-55 in 5th gear, has good pull if I give it the throttle slow & smooth. If I crack the throttle wide open and try to jump to 80 in a second it'll lug it. To much depends on the specific circumstances & desired result.

They write those specs in the manual as a general guideline, but, as Alan Jackson says - "Here in the real world" - it's all about feel & sound. Can't really use those written guidelines as an arguing point between you and the wrench as it'll be a never ending battle. If you suspect something isn't runnin' right, have someone you trust, whether it's a mechanic or experienced friend give your scoot a spin and give you their opinion. Then you'll know whether you've got to have it fixed or alter your riding habits.

Have Fun!

Dave from Georgia
2004 FLSTCI

 

i stay in fourth till at least 60-65
this way i dont chip my teeth from low rpm shake that makes the engine wanna jump outa the cradlle

 

You know, Im gonna have to go look. Cause I dont know. I dont look at the speedo when changeing. I just go by fill and sound. [8D]

 

Under normal conditions, I shift into any gear at 3000 rpm. Speed doesn't determine when to shift for me, I watch my rpm's. Of course, when conditions aren't normal, I take the rpm's higher.

 

It depends on the circumstance..I don't really watch the speedo to shift

If i'm just passing through the 50"s on the way to cruise speed...I shift around 55.

If I'm cruising at 50 - 55 I'm usually in 4th.

I'm still running the stock air box and muffs, don't know if that matters...but being in 5th at 50~55 just seems like there isn't any punch if I need it...from 4th I can roll the throttle, hit 5th and be at 80..lickity split

edit to add>>> have you checked your primary chain adjustment?..I was having some surge issues at low speed...but they went away after I did my 1000 mile service and adjusted the chain..which was too loose according to the manual...it had over 1" of slack when cold..now its much smoother

 

I have a 04 Fatboy and I have added a tach on it. I keep my rpm's in the 2000-3000 range under normal riding. In 4th at around 50 mph I am running 2300 rpm which. I could shift to 5th which would change the rpm down to around 2100 or I can go higher in rpm and wait. I think in 4th at 3000 rpm I am doing 65 mph. So my answer is to keep the rpm's in the good zone 2000-3000 rpm, you can shift from 4th to 5th anywhere between 50 and 65 mph. Of course throttle and rpm's makes a difference in how the bike luggs. But if you keep your rpms in the correct range it would be hard to hurt the bike.

my 5 cents

 

I don't shift to 5th until I am above 55 mph. It feels like it is lugging if I do it at lower speed.