RPMs, Speed, Shifting
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Aurora, Colorado
RPMs, Speed, Shifting
Okay ... I'm ready to get blasted with the rude "learn to ride" stuff but maybe a few will reply with some real info ...
I came from a long list of metrics, all kinds, and my last bike was a Triumph.
My first Harley is a 2004 Heritage ... I love it. I know it has a different feel, and a different powerband than I've been riding my whole life. 25+ years.
I read some threads about guys pushing the rpm's and getting the rev's up there, freaks me out. In first gear I start hearing and feeling the "shift me" before 25 mph ... no idea of the actual rpm. 2nd gear ... a little over 30 mph. and so on ... pretty much 0-20 (1st) 20-30 (2nd) 30-40 (3rd) 40-55 (4th) I hit 5th around 55 mph. Feels good.
If I try and get on it and let the rpm's go higher than that it starts to sound and feel like a vibration that it doesn't like. It would seriously freak me out to go beyond that, but I read it's "safe" to do that? what do you say?
I came from a long list of metrics, all kinds, and my last bike was a Triumph.
My first Harley is a 2004 Heritage ... I love it. I know it has a different feel, and a different powerband than I've been riding my whole life. 25+ years.
I read some threads about guys pushing the rpm's and getting the rev's up there, freaks me out. In first gear I start hearing and feeling the "shift me" before 25 mph ... no idea of the actual rpm. 2nd gear ... a little over 30 mph. and so on ... pretty much 0-20 (1st) 20-30 (2nd) 30-40 (3rd) 40-55 (4th) I hit 5th around 55 mph. Feels good.
If I try and get on it and let the rpm's go higher than that it starts to sound and feel like a vibration that it doesn't like. It would seriously freak me out to go beyond that, but I read it's "safe" to do that? what do you say?
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 911
Likes: 9
From: colorado
Ive got a 6 spd but what you posted sounds about right. Threre is no need to wind up your motor like some do unless you are just trying to break it sooner so you can do that big bore upgrade haha. Most of your power is gone around 4500 rpms. As long as you arent lugging it, and you'd know if you were, sounds like youre doing fine...in my opinion, they sound better between 2500 and 3500 than they do when you wind them up
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
At lower speeds I find I like to keep the RPMs about 2,500-2,800, but at highway speeds, it feels right about 3,000.
I pay more attention to RPMs than I do mph. I usually never know what gear I'm in, except first, lol.
Benefits of having a speedo/tach combo gauge.
I pay more attention to RPMs than I do mph. I usually never know what gear I'm in, except first, lol.
Benefits of having a speedo/tach combo gauge.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
My first HD didn't have a tach so my shifting was by feel, just like you. The engine pretty much tells you when it wants to be shifted. Obviously the shift points will vary depending on how easy or aggressively you're riding.
Your bike does have a rev limiter (or should have) so you don't need to worry too much about over-revving.
My newest bike does have a tach but I still shift primarily by feel. Typically under normal conditions I find that to be between 3 and 4 grand most of the time.
About the only time I'll use the tach for shifting is if I'm winding it to redline, so I don't inadvertently hit the limiter.
Your bike does have a rev limiter (or should have) so you don't need to worry too much about over-revving.
My newest bike does have a tach but I still shift primarily by feel. Typically under normal conditions I find that to be between 3 and 4 grand most of the time.
About the only time I'll use the tach for shifting is if I'm winding it to redline, so I don't inadvertently hit the limiter.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Aurora, Colorado
I can feel/hear the lugging, I keep it turning
I was just curious about the revving. My past bikes could really rev. I know this bike isn't meant for it and I don't care to go there. I just can't see going 45 in second gear like I've read about, let alone getting anywhere near a redline.
anyway ... thanks for the responses. Just wanted to check and see if what I'm seeing/feeling is normal.
I was just curious about the revving. My past bikes could really rev. I know this bike isn't meant for it and I don't care to go there. I just can't see going 45 in second gear like I've read about, let alone getting anywhere near a redline.
anyway ... thanks for the responses. Just wanted to check and see if what I'm seeing/feeling is normal.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
You're accustom to a narrow power band at the higher end of the RPM range. You now have a big *** tractor engine that can make power are very low RPMs (just off idle for many) and keep that power all the way up to a blistering 6000 +- RPMs.
You have seat of your pants to tell your when the shift depending on what your destination might be.
You have seat of your pants to tell your when the shift depending on what your destination might be.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
ON our 07, 6 speed, if I shift into,,,, 2nd at 40- 3rd at 60- 4th at80- 5th at100 mph- then the motor is right at 5200 rpms.
My normal shifting is at 2600 rpm which is almost exactly at 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 mph.
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My normal shifting is at 2600 rpm which is almost exactly at 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 mph.
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