Six speed in a Road King???
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19
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From: Gibsonton, Florida
I'm at around 74 horse with my current air cleaner/exhaust/pc3 usb map. I have plenty power and torque, Just seems like I run needlessly high revs at highway speeds. I actually have quite a bit left at 70, but I commute 90 minutes round trip, all highway, and it kills my gas mileage.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: CT/FL
It all depends on the bike's final gearing - some of the earlier six speeds had ridiculously high gearing - but the newer bikes are geared lower. My 2012 is comfortable in 6th gear at 50-55mph on level roads.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
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From: Richmond, VA
I changed my front drive pulley on my five speed Fat Boy from 32 to 34 teeth. Bought the pulley on eBay for like $60. Best mod I ever did to that motorcycle. Used the same belt even. Nothing else required and its a direct bolt on and go part.
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19
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From: Gibsonton, Florida
One other solution depending on how much taller a gear you're looking for is to switch out the rear belt pulley to a 66 tooth from an 07 and switch the belt out to the corresponding shorter belt. It's about a $300 parts bill if you do the work yourself and nets about a 6% taller 5th gear which makes a big difference in highway fuel mileage.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
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From: NY
Just curious,whats approx rpm on your bike in 6tht gear @ only 50-55mph?
That seems to me like 50-55mph in 6th gear would be lugging the motor which is not as much of an issue cruising at 2k rpm (maybe 2,100-2,200rpm) or so in a lower grear like 3rd or 4th but not so good to lug the motor at maybe 2k-2,100 rpm in high / 6th gear which is why i am asking what rpm the motors at.
And another thing to consider is if your cruising in for example 6th gear at 50-55mph at 2k-2,100rpm where the motor has less trq/pwr can actually reduce fuel mileage vs running in lower 5th gear at maybe 2,400rpm-ish at the same 50-55mph speed where the motor is better positioned in its trq/pwr curve which can get better mpg in this example.
When the motor is hot (esp on hot summer day) also has lower oil pressure at 2k-2,100rpm vs 2,400-2,500rpm which is also something to consider if the motors being lugged at 2k-2,100rpm in high / 6th gear .
The lowest rpm i cruise my stock 96" at when i am loafing along on flat roads with just me on the bike in slower traffic in 3rd or 4th gear is 2,250-2,300rpm and 2,350-2,400rpm in higher 5th or 6th gear.
Anything below those rpms in those gears & the 96" motor on my bike doesnt like it .
Cruising at the minimum or bit higher cruise rpms i stated above with most of my riding 2 up my bike avg's 41.5-42mpg in mixed driving 20-25% city & 70-75% more open road cruising out in the countryside at 55-62mph (5th gear @ approx 2,600-2,700rpm & have got as high as 44.5-45mpg when cruising by myself of course being conservative riding on my part for best mpg.
Scott
Last edited by wscott; Nov 5, 2015 at 04:16 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 182
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From: Ohio
+2 on the 34 tooth front sprocket upgrade. Takes about 2 hours or so, depending on your skill level. This will put your 5 speed on par with the later 6 speeds in high gear. You will also need to get a speedometer recalibration device to go in line between the trans and speedometer. Not a very expensive modification, and worth every penny, IMHO.....Cliff
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Illinois
Why? Just why do folks think that a six speed is an overdrive trans? There is a SE 6 spd optional transmission that has an OD 6th gear. Baker makes a OD six speed. The standard HD six speed sixth gear is 1 to 1 just as the previous 5 standard 5 speed 5th gear was 1 to 1. An 06 bagger at 60 mph will be about the same rpm as the 07 and later 6 speeds will be. Yes there has been some adjusting around with the number of pulley teeth. But that can be done in the older bikes also.
The cost of adding a six speed tranny will not make any difference at highway speed. It will help the bike get up to speed a little better. But it would not in any way justify the cost.
The cost of adding a six speed tranny will not make any difference at highway speed. It will help the bike get up to speed a little better. But it would not in any way justify the cost.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 2,500
From: Tennessee
When I refer to adding a 6 speed, I'm always referring to an OD transmission.
I've had so many guys tell me so many different things about the factory 6 speed that it only leads me to believe that few people have much of an idea what they're talking about.
My riding buddy has a 2010 Ultra with a factory 6 speed in it and my Dyna has a stock 5 speed in it...Now pay attention.
At 80 mph riding side by side in top gear, his rpm is exactly the same as mine.
I'll repeat it for you...
At 80 mph riding side by side in top gear, his rpm is exactly the same as mine.
Edited to add: As far as getting up to speed faster, My 95" motor runs away from his 103" stage 1motor with 6 speed like it's parked.
I've had so many guys tell me so many different things about the factory 6 speed that it only leads me to believe that few people have much of an idea what they're talking about.
My riding buddy has a 2010 Ultra with a factory 6 speed in it and my Dyna has a stock 5 speed in it...Now pay attention.
At 80 mph riding side by side in top gear, his rpm is exactly the same as mine.
I'll repeat it for you...
At 80 mph riding side by side in top gear, his rpm is exactly the same as mine.
Edited to add: As far as getting up to speed faster, My 95" motor runs away from his 103" stage 1motor with 6 speed like it's parked.
Last edited by Greezey Rider; Nov 5, 2015 at 06:29 PM.
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From: Everywhere
Originally Posted by lh4x4
Why? Just why do folks think that a six speed is an overdrive trans? There is a SE 6 spd optional transmission that has an OD 6th gear. Baker makes a OD six speed. The standard HD six speed sixth gear is 1 to 1 just as the previous 5 standard 5 speed 5th gear was 1 to 1. An 06 bagger at 60 mph will be about the same rpm as the 07 and later 6 speeds will be. Yes there has been some adjusting around with the number of pulley teeth. But that can be done in the older bikes also.
The cost of adding a six speed tranny will not make any difference at highway speed. It will help the bike get up to speed a little better. But it would not in any way justify the cost.
The cost of adding a six speed tranny will not make any difference at highway speed. It will help the bike get up to speed a little better. But it would not in any way justify the cost.
My 99 visited 48 states between 99 and 08 often running 75mph all day. The 5speed is fine and up to the task.
To the OP - a pulley swap sounds more in your budget.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,780
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
Why? Just why do folks think that a six speed is an overdrive trans? There is a SE 6 spd optional transmission that has an OD 6th gear. Baker makes a OD six speed. The standard HD six speed sixth gear is 1 to 1 just as the previous 5 standard 5 speed 5th gear was 1 to 1. An 06 bagger at 60 mph will be about the same rpm as the 07 and later 6 speeds will be. Yes there has been some adjusting around with the number of pulley teeth. But that can be done in the older bikes also.
The cost of adding a six speed tranny will not make any difference at highway speed. It will help the bike get up to speed a little better. But it would not in any way justify the cost.
The cost of adding a six speed tranny will not make any difference at highway speed. It will help the bike get up to speed a little better. But it would not in any way justify the cost.