Please define 'lugging the engine'
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 158
From: pembroke ma
Have ridden for 40+ years. From dirt, to rice, to cruiser. Have always down shifted to help slow the bike when applicable. (not excessively) Never have done any damage probably never will. Aint buying the whole ruin your crank shaft argument. Unless you have a habit of kicking down to first gear from 3000 rpm's then all bets are off. Gentle down shifting as you slow down is what I have always done, and will always do. Same way I have always driven a car. Just my opinion.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Nothing wrong with downshifting to first at 3,000 or even higher rpm's as long as you give it the appropriate blip of the throttle as you're downshifting. Road racers do it all the time. I do it quite regularly, especially when riding canyons. Bottom line is you want the engine rpm to match the vehicle speed to provide for a smooth downshift regardless of speed/rpm. If your rear tire momentarily loses traction or you feel any abrupt decelleration during downshifting then you're not doing it right.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 9
From: North Carolina
Lugging is defined as any low rpm/load where the cylinder is not burning to proper efficiency therefore pinging, firing eradically and surging.
Downshifting to slow speed and throttle blip to match rpm has been around since the first manual trans. A motorcycle will lock up the rear tire you will loose control and freaking die before you hurt a crank from this.
Downshifting to slow speed and throttle blip to match rpm has been around since the first manual trans. A motorcycle will lock up the rear tire you will loose control and freaking die before you hurt a crank from this.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
I honestly cannot tell at speeds above 50. After reading this entire thread...I will keep it above 2500RPM.
The Manual recommends shifting at 15/25/35/45/55 for each gear from 1-6th...but it really doesn't seem to have any get up and go after third following that pattern.
The Manual recommends shifting at 15/25/35/45/55 for each gear from 1-6th...but it really doesn't seem to have any get up and go after third following that pattern.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Lugging is defined as any low rpm/load where the cylinder is not burning to proper efficiency therefore pinging, firing eradically and surging.
Downshifting to slow speed and throttle blip to match rpm has been around since the first manual trans. A motorcycle will lock up the rear tire you will loose control and freaking die before you hurt a crank from this.
Downshifting to slow speed and throttle blip to match rpm has been around since the first manual trans. A motorcycle will lock up the rear tire you will loose control and freaking die before you hurt a crank from this.
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