Question on riding and gearing.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 139
Likes: 94
From: New Hampshire
Question on riding and gearing.
Recently bought my first HD and first V-twin. I have ridden metrics af all sizes all my life except for metric v-twins. Typically inline 2's, 4's or v4's.
Naturally, I understand that v-twins are a different riding style but still have a few questions.
I love the ride my 1997 Road King gives me for the most part but I am finding that scenarios like traveling at 50 mph in 4th gear is pretty smooth, but if I click it into 5th gear at that speed, I get a lot of vibration. The windshield, mirrors etc vibrate pretty bad. Even my vision is vibrated so I go back to 4th gear to minimize it.
Do v-twin riders usually ride the bike in 4th gear instead of 5th gear at this type of speed to keep vibrations to a minimum. Coming from metrics, it seems counter-intuitive for cruising. Typically, I am used to the lower the rpm vs speed equals better fuel mileage. On my V4 Yamaha Royal Star Venture V4, 1300cc, I can be in 5th gear at 30 mph on level ground and not a hint of vibration, then just roll easily up to whatever speed I want without vibration.
I average 40-45 mpg on the Venture, I am averaging 35-38 mpg with the Road King.
It seems to me that V-twins are a constant effort of rpm vs vibration. I assume that this is a correct analogy?
Naturally, I understand that v-twins are a different riding style but still have a few questions.
I love the ride my 1997 Road King gives me for the most part but I am finding that scenarios like traveling at 50 mph in 4th gear is pretty smooth, but if I click it into 5th gear at that speed, I get a lot of vibration. The windshield, mirrors etc vibrate pretty bad. Even my vision is vibrated so I go back to 4th gear to minimize it.
Do v-twin riders usually ride the bike in 4th gear instead of 5th gear at this type of speed to keep vibrations to a minimum. Coming from metrics, it seems counter-intuitive for cruising. Typically, I am used to the lower the rpm vs speed equals better fuel mileage. On my V4 Yamaha Royal Star Venture V4, 1300cc, I can be in 5th gear at 30 mph on level ground and not a hint of vibration, then just roll easily up to whatever speed I want without vibration.
I average 40-45 mpg on the Venture, I am averaging 35-38 mpg with the Road King.
It seems to me that V-twins are a constant effort of rpm vs vibration. I assume that this is a correct analogy?
Last edited by grubsie; May 21, 2017 at 10:23 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,454
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Vibration has nothing to do with what gear you are in particularly when going up a gear drops RPMS so something's not adding up here. Don't know what to tell you other than if you insist on comparing the differences between the imports and the harley you will never bond with the HD, may not be the machine for you.......
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
Well, sir, with a bike that old, a lotta parts like the engine mounts could have detonated or gotten hard, reducing the anti vibration benefit. I don't know if you've changed those out, and they may not be an issue either. Could be just one of them thangs, too.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 619
From: North Dakota & Minnesota
Sounds to me like there's something wrong with your particular bike. My '96 Road King is smooth in all gears.
Since you have a 20 year old bike I would suspect something is wrong. I would first check your motor mounts.
Since you have a 20 year old bike I would suspect something is wrong. I would first check your motor mounts.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 80
Likes: 10
From: Houston
My 07 wide glide is similar, it doesn't like to run in the low rpm ~2200 range, it rarely ever sees 6th gear 75mph plus. New handlebar bushings helped but I still won't cruise that low. My 16sgs doesn't have the same vibration no matter what rpm.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
As a general rule, when "cruising" or on level ground, keeping your RPM's around 2500+/-.
The vibration you describe is your engine's way of telling you that you're "lugging" (RPM's to low for the gear you're using) so shifting to a lower gear is required.
Unfortunately the RK's don't come with OEM tachometers so you may want to check into getting a tachometer installed on your bike.
They have a large variety to choose from these days.
The vibration you describe is your engine's way of telling you that you're "lugging" (RPM's to low for the gear you're using) so shifting to a lower gear is required.
Unfortunately the RK's don't come with OEM tachometers so you may want to check into getting a tachometer installed on your bike.
They have a large variety to choose from these days.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Sounds to me that you may simply be riding in too high a gear. You can get away with riding at those revs on a light load, but need to change down a gear for going up a hill or to accelerate. The more you ride the better you will get to know your new bike and it won't take long before the two of you are in sync with each other!
As an Evo owner you should know that we have a separate dedicated Evo section, where you can meet up with fellow owners, so do call by!
As an Evo owner you should know that we have a separate dedicated Evo section, where you can meet up with fellow owners, so do call by!
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 243
From: Maine
I love the ride my 1997 Road King gives me for the most part but I am finding that scenarios like traveling at 50 mph in 4th gear is pretty smooth, but if I click it into 5th gear at that speed, I get a lot of vibration. The windshield, mirrors etc vibrate pretty bad. Even my vision is vibrated so I go back to 4th gear to minimize it.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 139
Likes: 94
From: New Hampshire
Sounds to me that you may simply be riding in too high a gear. You can get away with riding at those revs on a light load, but need to change down a gear for going up a hill or to accelerate. The more you ride the better you will get to know your new bike and it won't take long before the two of you are in sync with each other!
As an Evo owner you should know that we have a separate dedicated Evo section, where you can meet up with fellow owners, so do call by!
As an Evo owner you should know that we have a separate dedicated Evo section, where you can meet up with fellow owners, so do call by!
It seems to be like you said about getting in sync with the bike. On light loads, it's fine in the higher gear but need to shift down for hills, etc.
So I just need to experience more time on a v-twin. I just figured at 50mph, that any big bore bike would be smooth in top gear. It's just a different riding style that I have to get used to.
Oh, and by the way, I put Avon Cobras on it last week and this bike tracks through corners like it's on rails. An absolute blast.
Thanks for the help.