Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Cryptic manual message...

Old Feb 9, 2007 | 03:24 PM
  #1  
MacAttack's Avatar
MacAttack
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From:
Default Cryptic manual message...

Pardon the newbie questions, but here's another. I'm reading the manual and it's giving me upshift points of 15/25/35/45. Then there's a statement about how individual riders might shift differently and it might be appropriate for their riding style (? - are they offshoring their manual writing?). These shift points seem way too slow to me - but without previous Sportster experience, I don't know whether the vibes are normal, or a sign of lugging. I do have a tach - anyone know the minimum engine speed?

Oh, one tiny one more... I see the anti-vandalism Torx screws on the air cleaner cover, and so I need a new tool (not a bad thing). Anyone know the size offhand?

Thanks a bunch. I'm having a great ride to work every day (rain or not) and kicking myself for not having done this earlier.
cheers,
Mac
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 04:47 PM
  #2  
GothMetalGuitarist's Avatar
GothMetalGuitarist
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 4
From:
Default RE: Cryptic manual message...

wait......wait for it........oohhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmm.... oohhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm....


PFFFT!!! [:@]Damnit I just can't seem to use my psychic powers to figure out what model and year bike you have... just give mea few more hours... I should be able to figure it out......

oohhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 04:54 PM
  #3  
jakedog's Avatar
jakedog
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,753
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood, IN
Default RE: Cryptic manual message...

I think he has a 2007 XL1200 Roadster. I would simply say to shift at where it is comfotable for you. For me it depends on haow fast I want to get to the desired speed. I would probably shift at a higher RPM while on an on ramp and a lower RPM in the city....
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 04:59 PM
  #4  
whaap's Avatar
whaap
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
Default RE: Cryptic manual message...

I would say do not shift "before" those speeds if you are on a flat level road. A little earlier is o.k. if you're going down hill. I would take the speed up a little higher if going up hill. To go beyond those speeds is at anytime is o.k. For example: if you feel like you want to get on it, take it up to 40 in second and find out what a hot rod you've got. (That will still be easy on your engine. You could go alot more but I don't push my equipment.)
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 05:28 PM
  #5  
MacAttack's Avatar
MacAttack
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From:
Default RE: Cryptic manual message...

Goth... did you forget to take your ESP this morning? Yeah, it's an '07 1200R. I figured those were minimum speeds. Those shift points sound like "Parade Mode" to me. I am breaking in the bike (150 miles in three days, not too bad eh) and today took it up to 5000 RPM for a second. I subscribe to the theory that I do need to break it in; willswitch over to synthetic at 1000 miles.Yes, it's a hot rod... much different than my XR650R. Thanks
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 05:53 PM
  #6  
Unamed's Avatar
Unamed
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From:
Default RE: Cryptic manual message...

i just make sure the gear im in matches the first digit of my speed.

if its a 1 im in first a 2 2nd and so on. this is just for cruiseing around. i wont go for 5th unless im over 50.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 10:50 PM
  #7  
gilmour68's Avatar
gilmour68
Road Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 20
From: NE Pennsylvania
Default RE: Cryptic manual message...

I asked the same questions within the first week of owning my bike. I read the manual and was surprised at the low recommended shifting speeds were compared to where I shifted when riding...Based on the replies I receivedto my post, you canshift whenever you feel comfortable. I also asked about a tach and quickly learned that it is not a necessity, the bike has a rev limiter which won't allow you to wind the engine up to a level that would cause damage. I've been close to or over 50 mph in third on some occasions and have had no problems. Of course this practice will hurt your fuel mileage, but not your bike. Hope this helps.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 11:24 PM
  #8  
jalopy's Avatar
jalopy
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Cryptic manual message...

during break in take it easy on the bike and dont go over 4k. but after that shift when you hit the rev limiter[sm=smiley16.gif]
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 11:38 PM
  #9  
Dr.Cool's Avatar
Dr.Cool
Banned
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Cryptic manual message...

ORIGINAL: GothMetalGuitarist

wait......wait for it........oohhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmm.... oohhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm....


PFFFT!!! [:@]Damnit I just can't seem to use my psychic powers to figure out what model and year bike you have... just give mea few more hours... I should be able to figure it out......

oohhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......
hardcore.... but funny
 
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2007 | 06:24 AM
  #10  
GothMetalGuitarist's Avatar
GothMetalGuitarist
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 4
From:
Default RE: Cryptic manual message...

Its all good mac. As long as it's taken in fun. Just for the record I agree with Jalopy..
 
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:14 PM.

story-0
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-6
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE