Lugging
Stage I
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Assuming flat ground and standard gearing/tire sizes, I would NEVER recommend shifting below:
1-2 - 25mph
2-3 - 35mph
3-4 - 45mph
4-5 - 60mph
If you stick to that, you should always be shifting around 3400rpm, no lugging for sure.
If you are chugging the engine in 5th at 45mph, you are going to mess up your bike.
Sportys, more than any other type of HD, like to run high rpms.
Please refer to the following:
1-2 - 25mph
2-3 - 35mph
3-4 - 45mph
4-5 - 60mph
If you stick to that, you should always be shifting around 3400rpm, no lugging for sure.
If you are chugging the engine in 5th at 45mph, you are going to mess up your bike.
Sportys, more than any other type of HD, like to run high rpms.
Please refer to the following:
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 89
Likes: 81
From: New England
Assuming flat ground and standard gearing/tire sizes, I would NEVER recommend shifting below:
1-2 - 25mph
2-3 - 35mph
3-4 - 45mph
4-5 - 60mph
If you stick to that, you should always be shifting around 3400rpm, no lugging for sure.
If you are chugging the engine in 5th at 45mph, you are going to mess up your bike.
Sportys, more than any other type of HD, like to run high rpms.
1-2 - 25mph
2-3 - 35mph
3-4 - 45mph
4-5 - 60mph
If you stick to that, you should always be shifting around 3400rpm, no lugging for sure.
If you are chugging the engine in 5th at 45mph, you are going to mess up your bike.
Sportys, more than any other type of HD, like to run high rpms.
I'm on my first Sportster too; a 2003 1200c. My commute is an uninterrupted 45-55 mph on smooth, rolling forest roads. And although the owner's manual says I could do this ride in 5th (says it's okay to shift to 5th at 45mph), there's no way that can be good for the motor. The range offered here by parabellum_9x19 is more in line with what I'm finding, The bike is a lot happier in 4th gear riding between 45 and 60 mph. I'm a little disappointed along with the OP as I was really looking forward to that tractor torque sound I hear from the bigger bikes.
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Last edited by Carby Hamcan; Apr 6, 2023 at 10:34 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 42
From: CA
I'm on my first Sportster too; a 2003 1200c. My commute is an uninterrupted 45-55 mph on smooth, rolling forest roads. And although the owner's manual says I could do this ride in 5th (says it's okay to shift to 5th at 45mph), there's no way that can be good for the motor. The range offered here by parabellum_9x19 is more in line with what I'm finding, The bike is a lot happier in 4th gear riding between 45 and 60 mph. I'm a little disappointed along with the OP as I was really looking forward to that tractor torque sound I hear from the bigger bikes.
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In second gear or higher gear, hold the throttle in the same position and down shift. The engine will speed up and one of the following things will happen:
- The bike speed will decrease
- The bike speed will stay the same
- The bike speed will increase
Speed Decrease: This is what should happen when you down shift, it means you are in the proper gear for road conditions. You have not Short Shifted.
Speed Stays the Same: This means you are almost okay, but you have Short Shifted, the engine wants to be in this lower gear.
Speed Increase: This is Lugging, and it is bad. If you drive this way all the time you will damage your engine. This also hurts gas mileage as you are using more throttle than necessary.
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