So first I'm looking for some shifting help. No tach as we all know. My hearing is awful, combined with my 3/4 helmet and wind noise. I just can't hear the engine.

So basically I'm doing the following gears at the stated mph.
1. 0-12
2. 12-20s
3. 30-40
4. 40-50
5. 50 up

Then I read stuff that sounds crazy to me on the net like I don't shift into 3rd until 50. So I'm like yeah thats defiantly not what I'm doing. Oh yeah this is a 09 1200 c. Also has like 2300 miles on it if that matters.

So it vibrates like a **** at like 60/65 mph. Haven't had a chance to go over that yet but I was wondering if this is normal. More specifically it vibrates so much that my left hand itches and aches. This isn't a deterrent from riding of course because I love to ride so much. But it would be ideal to fix it. This is also my first harley so it very well could be normal and I just have no idea.

Thanks for the help

 

Keep in 4th till you hold 65+. Should be keeping around 3000 rpm for steady cruising. Go down a little further and read thread max top speed. The chart is there that has speed/rpm correlation.

 

You are lugging the motor BIG time.
For normal cruising, you want to try and keep the RPMs somewhere between 3,000 and 4,500, give or take a bit.

Since you don't have a tach, use the chart below to figure out where to shift so that the rpm after the shift to the next gear is close to 3,000.

For instance, shifting from 1st to 2nd at 33-35 mph, winds 1st to ~4500 and leaves you at 3,000 in second.
2nd to 3rd @ 45mph, etc.

 

What you posted is about what it says in the manual. I know Harley is out to make money but doubt they would recommend you lug your engine.

My view? There is no direct correlation to lugging between speed, gear and rpm. Thats missing the most critical component, the one that actually determines if your lugging the engine.........load. Your not lugging the engine in 5th gear at idle going 20 mph if your coasting down hill.

You WILL know if your lugging the engine. There is absolutely no mistaking it.

 

Thanks everyone. Very helpful info. I don't believe I feel the engine lugging as I recall what that was like on my very first bike. I had the habit starting from 2nd for some extra power and until I got that down I would lug for about 3 seconds and I haven't felt that with this bike. Anyway thanks for the help. I'll be getting a tach soon as well.

 

I think somebody posted something about a 'rule of 12s' for the 1200 sportsters a while back. I've been using this as it's easy for me to remember (until I started reading around here, I was shifting WAY early like you are). Basically, the rule of 12s is don't shift into a gear until your speed is 12 times that gear in MPH. e.g. don't shift into 2nd until a minimum of 24 MPH (2 x 12 = 24), wait until 36 MPH to go up to 3rd (3 x 12 = 36). This will keep your RPM around 2500 or so. Seems to work well for me when putting around town with light throttle settings, as it keeps me fairly quiet.

 

creep up your speed two or three miles an hour until you get up till the vibration Smooths out it might be at 74 mph, it might be at 78mph might be at 71mph. Once you find it,you will know it!

 

With the rubber mounted motor, it should be smooth at 60/65. My old rigid mounted bike is dead calm at those speeds. Check your motor mounts.

John