FLSTC = Slow Cruiser?
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 790
Likes: 4
From: Internet
Those with 5 speed softails like mine, if you were doing lets say 80'ish ... do you still have throttle/power left to pass someone if needed? or is it a slow build from that point?
Thanks
Thanks
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
Your bike weighs ~725 lbs + YOU. Its an air cooled v-twin tug boat. Removing the shield does allow the bike to accelerate easier at higher speeds but at the expense of rider comfort. Just ride it and learn it. If it is too slow, cams, headwork, pipes, tune and $$$ will fix that.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Your bike weighs ~725 lbs + YOU. Its an air cooled v-twin tug boat. Removing the shield does allow the bike to accelerate easier at higher speeds but at the expense of rider comfort. Just ride it and learn it. If it is too slow, cams, headwork, pipes, tune and $$$ will fix that.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek, MI
On the highway this morning on my 30 mile commute to work. 04 Heritage doing about 80mph in the right lane with little traffic. Semi needs to merge and a car is coming up on the left. I give it a little twist and off we go! Yes it will accelerate amply enough in most cases. It's no road rocket, but drive ahead and it is fine. Hit about 90 then backed off to flow with traffic at 80 again.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
The shield blocks more wind then you do. Used to ride with out a shield and recall the bike feeling heavier when accelerating at higher speeds when the shield was first installed. Could have been just the sensation due to less wind hitting me and the bike felt slower. Go try it, see what you think.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 790
Likes: 4
From: Internet
On the highway this morning on my 30 mile commute to work. 04 Heritage doing about 80mph in the right lane with little traffic. Semi needs to merge and a car is coming up on the left. I give it a little twist and off we go! Yes it will accelerate amply enough in most cases. It's no road rocket, but drive ahead and it is fine. Hit about 90 then backed off to flow with traffic at 80 again.
I think someone above nailed it .. i may be used to hearing my harley at Idle, so when i actually get on it it sounds as though its screaming when in reality it is just fine.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,826
Likes: 1
From: Lynchburg, Va
Those with 5 speed softails like mine, if you were doing lets say 80'ish ... do you still have throttle/power left to pass someone if needed? or is it a slow build from that point?
As for your comfort, you will get used to riding faster as you get more experience. After a few thousand miles, running 80 mph will seem like nothing to you. However, that counterbalanced engine is never going to be as smooth at 80+ as the rubber mounted engines, just ain't gonna happen.
Shakey
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,385
Likes: 252
From: Southern California
The sweet spot on mine seems to be right around 76-78 MPH. Smooth as glass. She'll cruise all day like that . . . and has done so.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
Im a new rider so im not pushing it hard at all, in fact i've only recently started even hitting the highways heh.
On my 04 flstci i sort of feel like she is comfortable going about 60-65 ... anything more is sorta pushing it.
Is it the lack of 6th thats doing it?
Not that i mind at all, again im new to riding and i really dont want to go very fast anyhow .. but i never thought a motorcycle would have trouble getting up to 80+mph
just thinking about it makes me shake hehe, but id like to know i can do it if i want to!! HA!
2004 FLSTCI with stg1 and pipes done. pipes are unknown as the last owner did them, i havent figured it out for sure yet.
On my 04 flstci i sort of feel like she is comfortable going about 60-65 ... anything more is sorta pushing it.
Is it the lack of 6th thats doing it?
Not that i mind at all, again im new to riding and i really dont want to go very fast anyhow .. but i never thought a motorcycle would have trouble getting up to 80+mph
just thinking about it makes me shake hehe, but id like to know i can do it if i want to!! HA!
2004 FLSTCI with stg1 and pipes done. pipes are unknown as the last owner did them, i havent figured it out for sure yet.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
The shield blocks more wind then you do. Used to ride with out a shield and recall the bike feeling heavier when accelerating at higher speeds when the shield was first installed. Could have been just the sensation due to less wind hitting me and the bike felt slower. Go try it, see what you think.
Found this: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...ld-vs-mpg.html
Not controlled enough for my tastes.
Hmmm... I'm thinking of getting the upgraded console, if I do I will try it and post results.
Last edited by dcgray2; Jun 23, 2011 at 01:56 PM.