Shift/Cruising Speed for '97 1340 EVO
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Ousley, GA
Shift/Cruising Speed for '97 1340 EVO
I've been riding for years but this is my first touring bike - 97 RK.
I'm still concerned about the lugging I feel in 5th gear at a cruising speed of 55mph and up.
The drop in RPMs between 4th and 5th seems pretty drastic. Almost like a six speed shifting from 4 to 6.
Are all 5 speed touring bikes like this?
Is it advisable to keep it in 4th until I can shift and maintain without the lugging? And for me that seems to start somewhere between 60-65mph.
I'm still concerned about the lugging I feel in 5th gear at a cruising speed of 55mph and up.
The drop in RPMs between 4th and 5th seems pretty drastic. Almost like a six speed shifting from 4 to 6.
Are all 5 speed touring bikes like this?
Is it advisable to keep it in 4th until I can shift and maintain without the lugging? And for me that seems to start somewhere between 60-65mph.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,005
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From: Ghent NY
I just installed a tach this past weekend, and rode to work today. I will check on the way home and see what RPM's are at 55 in 5th & 4th.. I know that 70 MPH in 5th is just a hair over 3000 and 80 MPH is 3500 at least on my 98
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
andrews cams published a gear/rpm/mph chart you may find handy
google:
28_ratiosMPG
4 th gear will pull up to just over 100 MPH, 5th gives a theoretical 122 or so top speed.
wind resistance makes that a theory without mods and/or gearing changes
no reason to short shift unless you are going past a noise cop...although I have seen guys with obnoxious pipes shift early as they are ascared of their own noise.
on my evo, I usually kept my revs around the 3000 range, gives you instant scoot for a dog running out and closing the throttle will slow the bike...saving the brakes
5th gear at 70 mph is about 3000 rpms
55 MPH is 2300 RPMs
it could be that your bike has mods..exhaust type, cams which cause it to make less power at lower rpms which makes you feel uneasy with it.
evo bikes will happily run along at 4k all day
google:
28_ratiosMPG
4 th gear will pull up to just over 100 MPH, 5th gives a theoretical 122 or so top speed.
wind resistance makes that a theory without mods and/or gearing changes
no reason to short shift unless you are going past a noise cop...although I have seen guys with obnoxious pipes shift early as they are ascared of their own noise.
on my evo, I usually kept my revs around the 3000 range, gives you instant scoot for a dog running out and closing the throttle will slow the bike...saving the brakes
5th gear at 70 mph is about 3000 rpms
55 MPH is 2300 RPMs
it could be that your bike has mods..exhaust type, cams which cause it to make less power at lower rpms which makes you feel uneasy with it.
evo bikes will happily run along at 4k all day
Last edited by mkguitar; Sep 22, 2015 at 01:31 PM.
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From: Ousley, GA
Thanks for the input.
My lower end is fine. Setting up the S&S carb I did the 3rd gear 50 to 70mph pull and it was nice and torquey.
I don't think there have been any performance mods on this bike (abandoned ex-police bike). All of the work of the PO that I have come behind has been half-assed and it scares me to think they may have "done performance mods".
Completely rewiring their "rewiring" was a nightmare all its own.
Back on point. Looks like I just need to get used to staying in 4th a little longer. Quite a difference from the Sportster where I was looking for another gear after getting to 5th.
My lower end is fine. Setting up the S&S carb I did the 3rd gear 50 to 70mph pull and it was nice and torquey.
I don't think there have been any performance mods on this bike (abandoned ex-police bike). All of the work of the PO that I have come behind has been half-assed and it scares me to think they may have "done performance mods".
Completely rewiring their "rewiring" was a nightmare all its own.
Back on point. Looks like I just need to get used to staying in 4th a little longer. Quite a difference from the Sportster where I was looking for another gear after getting to 5th.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
cop bikes could be ordered with pursuit or parade motor options.
I have an 88 Pursuit FXRP
the heads are milled to boost compression, special cam.
it is very fast
the parade option is low compression and more often used in shovels
some PD's do a hack job ( or dealers, or brokers) when removing electrics for the bikes...I did 3 revisions of my wiring harness over the years
I bought mine from the CHP in 1990, it came with new tires, new brakes new lights-- for liability reasons all the "safety equipment" is new...not only was it 1/2 price but back then a new bike was a 2 year wait...production was under 30000 models a year
Mike
I have an 88 Pursuit FXRP
the heads are milled to boost compression, special cam.
it is very fast
the parade option is low compression and more often used in shovels
some PD's do a hack job ( or dealers, or brokers) when removing electrics for the bikes...I did 3 revisions of my wiring harness over the years
I bought mine from the CHP in 1990, it came with new tires, new brakes new lights-- for liability reasons all the "safety equipment" is new...not only was it 1/2 price but back then a new bike was a 2 year wait...production was under 30000 models a year
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Sep 23, 2015 at 11:35 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: New York
I've been riding for years but this is my first touring bike - 97 RK.
I'm still concerned about the lugging I feel in 5th gear at a cruising speed of 55mph and up.
The drop in RPMs between 4th and 5th seems pretty drastic. Almost like a six speed shifting from 4 to 6.
Are all 5 speed touring bikes like this?
Is it advisable to keep it in 4th until I can shift and maintain without the lugging? And for me that seems to start somewhere between 60-65mph.
I'm still concerned about the lugging I feel in 5th gear at a cruising speed of 55mph and up.
The drop in RPMs between 4th and 5th seems pretty drastic. Almost like a six speed shifting from 4 to 6.
Are all 5 speed touring bikes like this?
Is it advisable to keep it in 4th until I can shift and maintain without the lugging? And for me that seems to start somewhere between 60-65mph.
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