I just got a 07 Road King in Aprilwith no tach, The dealer told me not to go into 6th gear unless I was doing 70 or more.The owners manual says 5th to 6th gear at 55 mph. What is the best speed to hit 6th gear????
My last Harley was a 77 Sportster only 4 gears and kick start

 

If cruising, maybe 60-65. But trying to accomplish any type of acceleration means 70+ for 6th gear. It is an overdrive, not meant for anything but a constant speed. When hitting a hill of any type, you may decrease speed and have to shift down.....especially if 2-up

 

70+

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I go by H-D's recommendation and shift to 6th at around 55-60. Engine is happy and doesn't lug at this speed. For light acceleration/passing I'll stay in 6th. If I need to really move out I'll drop a gear or two...

 

60-65 is where I like to be when I shift into 6th

 

I feel if you keep it above 2100r.p.m.'s in 5th and 6th you are not lugging it and should have plenty of passing power.

 

BIGCHIEF wrote: It is an overdrive, not meant for anything but a constant speed.

Donny Peterson wrote in the July 2007 issue of American Iron (p. 42) about many of the currently available 6-speed trannies.

The H-D transmissions for Dynas in 2006and for all big twins in 2007are 1:1 in 6th gear, not overdrive.

H-D reduced rpm in 6th gear (compared to 2005 big twins) by reducing rpm in every gear. They did thisby going to taller primary gearing between the engine and the input shaft of the transmission.

I'll shift into 6th at 60 for normal cruising, but if I really want to get on it, I'll stay in 5th until I reach cruising speed, whatever that turns out to be.

 

65

 

70

 

70+