questions on gearing and exhaust...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 11
From: Grottoes Va.
Sportsters were designed to "Like" the rpm's. You change the gearing like that and all you'll do is mess up the power you'll need in city driving to get away from those that feel they are more important than you, ie ... the ones that drive a phone booth.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 35
From: Gulf Breeze, FL
Question - Have you personally tried it? I have and none of those problems you describe exist.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: East Tenn
I was new to street bikes in 07 when I purchased my new 08 Nightster. After riding it, I soon joined the "I need a 6th gear" club. And wondered why Harley didn't provide one to our sporties. Answer is :WE DON'T NEED IT. Plain and simple. The Evo engines prefer higher RPMs and it will take some time to get used to it, but in reality, the gearing is PERFECT. The 883 is a little less than the 1200s but that is why if you want more torque or speed, upgrade it to the 1250 kit or just get the 1200 with the better gearing. The other Harleys got the 6 speed tranny because of their weight. Overall gearing should be the same even as the old 4 speeds, just they spaced the shifting to be easier on the RPM "bands". meaning you wont have to wind it out in each gear to get to the next gear effectively. Just my two cents. want more "pep" upgrade the pipes and intake and change your maps. then you will run just fine.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 35
From: Gulf Breeze, FL
pucker - I have in excess of 100hp in my '07 and I am well used to it. These bikes can easily handle taller gearing, 883 and 1200 alike. You will lose virtually nothing with the swap. You can still turn all the rpm's you desire...you just have the option not to when you want to mpg.
Last edited by rickss69; Sep 24, 2013 at 02:24 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 933
Likes: 10
From: St Louis, MO
Your bike already has "1200" secondary gearing.
Change to "1200" primary gearing.
Speedometer will not be affected.
I wore a hole in top of my left boot from constantly looking for a higher gear.
Change to "1200" primary gearing.
Speedometer will not be affected.
I wore a hole in top of my left boot from constantly looking for a higher gear.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
That's down to you, nothing to do with gearing! I've owned bikes with 3, 4, 5 and 6 gears and looked for another gear on every one! Stock gearing on all Harleys over the last thirty years has been higher than optimum, to help them meet the EPA noise and emissions regulations. But new riders in particular seem to think it should be increased even further. That is not necessary! Even on a highly tuned bike, stock gearing will be just fine.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 35
From: Gulf Breeze, FL
That's down to you, nothing to do with gearing! I've owned bikes with 3, 4, 5 and 6 gears and looked for another gear on every one! Stock gearing on all Harleys over the last thirty years has been higher than optimum, to help them meet the EPA noise and emissions regulations. But new riders in particular seem to think it should be increased even further. That is not necessary! Even on a highly tuned bike, stock gearing will be just fine.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 933
Likes: 10
From: St Louis, MO
I was new to street bikes in 07 when I purchased my new 08 Nightster. After riding it, I soon joined the "I need a 6th gear" club. And wondered why Harley didn't provide one to our sporties. Answer is :WE DON'T NEED IT. Plain and simple. The Evo engines prefer higher RPMs and it will take some time to get used to it, but in reality, the gearing is PERFECT. The 883 is a little less than the 1200s but that is why if you want more torque or speed, upgrade it to the 1250 kit or just get the 1200 with the better gearing. The other Harleys got the 6 speed tranny because of their weight. Overall gearing should be the same even as the old 4 speeds, just they spaced the shifting to be easier on the RPM "bands". meaning you wont have to wind it out in each gear to get to the next gear effectively. Just my two cents. want more "pep" upgrade the pipes and intake and change your maps. then you will run just fine.
That's down to you, nothing to do with gearing! I've owned bikes with 3, 4, 5 and 6 gears and looked for another gear on every one! Stock gearing on all Harleys over the last thirty years has been higher than optimum, to help them meet the EPA noise and emissions regulations. But new riders in particular seem to think it should be increased even further. That is not necessary! Even on a highly tuned bike, stock gearing will be just fine.
Even with "1200" primary, it's still a little low.
Increasing power will only make it seem worse.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
No it won't! It will make the bike go quicker and faster! I have lowered gearing on two of my bikes to improve performance, with nothing worse as a result. I changed the compensator on my FXDXT from 25T to 21T - transformed that bike!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 35
From: Gulf Breeze, FL
Here is the current 30T-61T combo rpm vs mph on my 883 to 1250 conversion...
What it would be with the stock 28T/68T final drive gearing...
What it would be with the stock 28T/68T final drive gearing...
Last edited by rickss69; Sep 27, 2013 at 10:56 AM.