Sixth gear in a headwind

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Jul 26, 2017 | 07:11 AM

T Man

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Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2016

Posts: 532

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From: Manitoba, Canada

Sixth gear in a headwind

Went out for a couple hours last night. While riding into a headwind, going about 65 mph with the cruise on and in 6th gear, the bike seemed to have power loss. I downshifted to 5th and it was fine, but I've never had the bike do that before in 6th gear. Is 65 mph too low a speed to use 6th? My tach indicated I was at about 2500 rpm, went up to 3000 when I downshifted to 5th.

Jul 26, 2017 | 07:40 AM

Hate Work

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 1,718

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From: Maryland

You were at the low end of your power curve. A good head wind would make me want to downshift too.

Jul 26, 2017 | 07:41 AM

BigBadAllis

Club Member

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 420

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From: Michigan

65 in 6th against the headwind should not be an issue. I wonder if it had to do with fuel air mixture/fuel management? Maybe the conditions were just right and affecting the air intake?

Jul 26, 2017 | 08:33 AM

Veekness

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 4,377

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From: Santa Clarita

It's the way it works with gear ratios. If there ain't a problem don't invent one!

Jul 26, 2017 | 08:34 AM

TriGeezer

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: May 2012

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From: Carlsbad, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hate Work

You were at the low end of your power curve. A good head wind would make me want to downshift too.

Jul 26, 2017 | 08:41 AM

mchertel

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2015

Posts: 336

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From: Colorado

For me 65 mph is that in-between speed were I may use 5th or 6th depending on the conditions such as head-wind, slope (both up and down grades for power issues and engine breaking respectively) etc....I generally don't even shift into 6th though until I hit 70 or so and it feels like I need to.