Sixth gear in a headwind
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 532
Likes: 64
From: Manitoba, Canada
Chorus:
"I don't know where I'm goin,
can't remember where I've been,
I'm just out here ridin,
6th gear in a headwind."
Lol, sorry couldn't resist.
"I don't know where I'm goin,
can't remember where I've been,
I'm just out here ridin,
6th gear in a headwind."
Lol, sorry couldn't resist.
In the right conditions my S&S 107" will happily ease along at around 1,500 rpm in top gear, with Mrs B on board and all our touring luggage - with a 'friendly' gradient and wind! However to accelerate from such a low road speed I have to change down to 4th, or even 3rd. So you're doing the right thing. There are solutions available, if you want to give your bike a serious boost of torque for those conditions.....
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Careful. The lugging police will give you a citation for not running you TC at higher R's. I find it odd that people type in generalities when in reality, riding conditions place too many variables into many a conversation. I don't do 1500, but find my bike runs, feels and sounds fine on flat ground in 6th at 2200 R's. But like you said, it doesn't sound or feel right with a load like accelerating or heading uphill or into a stiff wind....
beary
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 992
Likes: 130
From: Maple City, Michigan
Careful. The lugging police will give you a citation for not running you TC at higher R's. I find it odd that people type in generalities when in reality, riding conditions place too many variables into many a conversation. I don't do 1500, but find my bike runs, feels and sounds fine on flat ground in 6th at 2200 R's. But like you said, it doesn't sound or feel right with a load like accelerating or heading uphill or into a stiff wind....
The last couple of days I've been trying not to shift to 6th gear in that 60-65 mph range, however in 5th the vibrations start to pick to a noticeable level.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 277
From: USA
Dierks are you listening...
Last edited by timbo141; Aug 2, 2017 at 06:41 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
And you have no evasive power on tap until it spins up. I refuse to ride with people that do this because they take away half of their options in an event that could go either way. The only reaction is brakes. I work just down the road from a large dealership and hear the rpms a lot of guys ride at and I wouldn't get within 100ft of them ever.
sure you can by why in the hell would you.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
This comment is general and not only an attack facing at you singularly.
And you have no evasive power on tap until it spins up. I refuse to ride with people that do this because they take away half of their options in an event that could go either way. The only reaction is brakes. I work just down the road from a large dealership and hear the rpms a lot of guys ride at and I wouldn't get within 100ft of them ever.
sure you can by why in the hell would you.
And you have no evasive power on tap until it spins up. I refuse to ride with people that do this because they take away half of their options in an event that could go either way. The only reaction is brakes. I work just down the road from a large dealership and hear the rpms a lot of guys ride at and I wouldn't get within 100ft of them ever.
sure you can by why in the hell would you.
Beary
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
This comment is general and not only an attack facing at you singularly.
And you have no evasive power on tap until it spins up. I refuse to ride with people that do this because they take away half of their options in an event that could go either way. The only reaction is brakes. I work just down the road from a large dealership and hear the rpms a lot of guys ride at and I wouldn't get within 100ft of them ever.
sure you can by why in the hell would you.
And you have no evasive power on tap until it spins up. I refuse to ride with people that do this because they take away half of their options in an event that could go either way. The only reaction is brakes. I work just down the road from a large dealership and hear the rpms a lot of guys ride at and I wouldn't get within 100ft of them ever.
sure you can by why in the hell would you.
As someone who has run heavy equipment, over the road trucks and bikes for over 30 years, I am **** about keeping an eyes and head on a swivel. When I am cruising all alone, I do what I do. Whether riding with a group of two or 100, that situation changes everything. Go back a read my post. You are exactly what I am talking about. Everyone whats to generalize. Why? I don't know. Put the broad brush down.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,996
Likes: 655
From: bklyn,ny
The bikes are geared too high with current 2.88 final drive. Older 5 speed bikes were 3.15 ( and some at 3.37). While it is a bit of work to install 33 tooth pulley,it will bring you up to about 3.00-1 It's good compromise if you like to cruise over 80 but routinely ride 65-70 . To me it's a no brainer if you have to go into the inner primary for a leak or other mileage related service,imho.