Six speed in a Road King???
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 182
Likes: 13
From: Ohio
"You guys that think an 80" or 88" motor doesn't have the power to pull and overdrive transmission on a loaded bike are just simply....wrong."
+2 on that statement. Owned/driven them and done the 34 tooth sprocket upgrade for others.
The first thing that happens is that you IMMEDIATELY stop looking for another gear at 70mph.
Fuel mileage improves some, but nothing dramatic as slowing the engine down doesn't automatically mean it will take less BTU's to get any given task done.
It does slow the engine down on high speed freeway trips, which really helps when you are making a long run like a ride out to Sturgis and seldom seeing much under 75mph for any reason.
My 2002 Road King was pretty much stock, just slip ons, mild cams, airbox and tuner. With the 34 tooth upgrade it was fine two up with a trailer, and I never once encountered a scenario where I thought it was too much overdriven, or lacking power in high gear, or any other gear for that matter........Cliff
+2 on that statement. Owned/driven them and done the 34 tooth sprocket upgrade for others.
The first thing that happens is that you IMMEDIATELY stop looking for another gear at 70mph.
Fuel mileage improves some, but nothing dramatic as slowing the engine down doesn't automatically mean it will take less BTU's to get any given task done.
It does slow the engine down on high speed freeway trips, which really helps when you are making a long run like a ride out to Sturgis and seldom seeing much under 75mph for any reason.
My 2002 Road King was pretty much stock, just slip ons, mild cams, airbox and tuner. With the 34 tooth upgrade it was fine two up with a trailer, and I never once encountered a scenario where I thought it was too much overdriven, or lacking power in high gear, or any other gear for that matter........Cliff
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 190
From: Penticton BC Canada
I bought a used Baker OD6 for $1000 and installed it in my 05 RK.
Sold the stock 5 speed for $350.
I do have a bit more power than you with 95hp on a 95" motor.
I can do 50 mph in 6th on the flats, once I get the bike up to 60 mph I can pull any of our mountain hills in 6th with no problem.
The Baker was the best thing I've done to the bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,780
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
74 aint much to use a 6 speed. And your bike weighs 100lbs more then mine. Have you talked with dynojet or Fuel Moto. Its very common for bikes to be running a little rich with pc3 in the cruising rpm range. Lower that a bit and your mpg will increase. My 06 88" 5 speed gets a consistent 42 mpgs with cams, 2n1 and a dfo/tfi fueler.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,780
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
I ran an OD6 for about 100,000 miles in my 80" FXR with minor head work and a fairly mild cam and it was a real nice highway cruiser.
I later put in a bigger cam and raised the compression some and it was even nicer, the 80" motor pulled the OD6 fine with me and my O/L and all of our **** in the bags and the trunk.
I was able to consistently run 80+ MPH on the highway with it without any problems or shortage of power.
I'm not one to keep track of or care much about fuel mileage, but the bike always made it from gas stop to gas stop with everyone else in the pack, so I suppose it got reasonable mileage.
You guys that think an 80" or 88" motor doesn't have the power to pull and overdrive transmission on a loaded bike are just simply....wrong.
I later put in a bigger cam and raised the compression some and it was even nicer, the 80" motor pulled the OD6 fine with me and my O/L and all of our **** in the bags and the trunk.
I was able to consistently run 80+ MPH on the highway with it without any problems or shortage of power.
I'm not one to keep track of or care much about fuel mileage, but the bike always made it from gas stop to gas stop with everyone else in the pack, so I suppose it got reasonable mileage.
You guys that think an 80" or 88" motor doesn't have the power to pull and overdrive transmission on a loaded bike are just simply....wrong.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 2,500
From: Tennessee
Yeah, it's funny....In almost every thread about 6 speed OD transmissions you'll get the jugheads that don't have a clue coming in and claiming that a stock 80"/88"/96" motor doesn't have the power to handle another gear.
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Gibsonton, Florida
I have a 99 w/5 speed and 08 with 6 speed. Side by side, both bikes in 5th gear run the same rpm. Click the 08 into 6th and it drops 500 or so. Both stock transmissions
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.
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.
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Gibsonton, Florida
I bought a used Baker OD6 for $1000 and installed it in my 05 RK.
Sold the stock 5 speed for $350.
I do have a bit more power than you with 95hp on a 95" motor.
I can do 50 mph in 6th on the flats, once I get the bike up to 60 mph I can pull any of our mountain hills in 6th with no problem.
The Baker was the best thing I've done to the bike.
Sold the stock 5 speed for $350.
I do have a bit more power than you with 95hp on a 95" motor.
I can do 50 mph in 6th on the flats, once I get the bike up to 60 mph I can pull any of our mountain hills in 6th with no problem.
The Baker was the best thing I've done to the bike.
I truly think the 6 speed is a waist of money... had one and found myself never using it. freeway, you end up lugging it unless your going 100+ I do like the big bore with a good cam and head work for the trips over the Sierras to Tahoe/Reno two up... but keep the 5 speed, it's bullet proof!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
the worst thing you can do to a harley motor is lug it... why worry about a few cents worth of gas? vs your lower end of your motor.
Thought about a 6 speed for my 2001 Hertiage Springer......I seldom run faster then 75, but have spend a few hundred miles riding at 80 plus without any issues.....decided it was built that way, I'll just leave it.....I prefer secondary roads anyway.