Six speed or five speed Road King
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 2,134
From: W. Texas
The 6 speed does lower the hwy rpms a little.
If you get use to the 6 speed you might miss it some if going back to a 5 speed.
When I ended up with an 08 Ultra I made 2 trips of about 7-800 miles.
Didn't get out of 5th till right at the end of both trips. Forgot I had a bike with a 6 speed.
I rarely put it in 6th and not until 80-90 mph speeds are being run.
If I Iike the bike either 5 or 6 will suit me
WP
If you get use to the 6 speed you might miss it some if going back to a 5 speed.
When I ended up with an 08 Ultra I made 2 trips of about 7-800 miles.
Didn't get out of 5th till right at the end of both trips. Forgot I had a bike with a 6 speed.
I rarely put it in 6th and not until 80-90 mph speeds are being run.
If I Iike the bike either 5 or 6 will suit me
WP
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 3,495
From: Wake Forest, NC
I agree with Ironhandjohn on the 5 speed. Mine is a 2001 with 95" big bore kit, stage 1 air filter, drilled qty 4 - 3/8" holes in each baffle of the stock mufflers. 70-75 is fine. 80+ feels like it's working too hard. Although I don't think 80 will hurt anything, I don't ride over 75 very often, usually 65-70. The bike gets around 47-48 mpg with just me on it, no windshield. In town the 5 speed is fine. Unless I was doing long high speed runs, I wouldn't hesitate to get a 5 speed if the bike and price are right.
My Ultra with 103 and 6 speed has longer legs for sure, 80-85 no problem. Stock air filter (soon to change), gutted cat, stock CVO mufflers (probably will drill some holes in the baffles) Usually ride same speeds 65-70, 2-up and 12" windshield. Haven't had bike too long, but it's been averaging 42-43 mpg. In town I never use 6th gear.
My Ultra with 103 and 6 speed has longer legs for sure, 80-85 no problem. Stock air filter (soon to change), gutted cat, stock CVO mufflers (probably will drill some holes in the baffles) Usually ride same speeds 65-70, 2-up and 12" windshield. Haven't had bike too long, but it's been averaging 42-43 mpg. In town I never use 6th gear.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
2007 had straight cut gear that whined....I'd recommend 2008 or newer if you want 6 speed. 6 speed is nice....
EDIT - I Was wrong..this was on ly 2006 Street bobs. 2007 RK should be fine for a 6 speed.
EDIT - I Was wrong..this was on ly 2006 Street bobs. 2007 RK should be fine for a 6 speed.
Last edited by Thingfish; Oct 15, 2021 at 03:06 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,689
Likes: 8,295
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Originally Posted by Thingfish
2007 had straight cut gear that whined....I'd recommend 2008 or newer if you want 6 speed. 6 speed is nice....
Trending Topics
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
You are right!!! My bad. it was the 2006 Street Bobs that were the very first to get the 6 speed. I think they fixed it by 2007.
- Fixed my earlier post. Thanks!
Last edited by Thingfish; Oct 15, 2021 at 03:06 PM.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 800
From: Colorado
Work the math the other way.
Hence OEM 6 speed in a RK means that you have a twin cam or later motor (2007 and later), while 5 speed trans means that either twin cam with spring loaded cam shoe tensions (bad), or older evo motor.
As for touring models, 2006 was the first year that Harley got the front and back tires in the same line.
Myself, love the evo motor due its simplicity/bullet proofness (single cam) and why I have a 97 RK, but on the other side of the coin, when Harley get the front and rear tires in line on the 2006 and later models, makes for a better handling bike over-all.
So short of the trans begin changed out on the bike and don't want the evo motor, would be nudged to go with a OEM 6 speed trans, which would put the bike at 2007 or later.
As for the trans themselves, unless your going to see a lot of 80mph plus trips, either trans if fine.
Note, can pull 80mph in third gear on my 5 speed RK, have run at over 120mph at times, so it really comes down to the the 6th gear bike having just a slightly lower final drive in the end when you are running at higher speeds through out the trip really.
Hence OEM 6 speed in a RK means that you have a twin cam or later motor (2007 and later), while 5 speed trans means that either twin cam with spring loaded cam shoe tensions (bad), or older evo motor.
As for touring models, 2006 was the first year that Harley got the front and back tires in the same line.
Myself, love the evo motor due its simplicity/bullet proofness (single cam) and why I have a 97 RK, but on the other side of the coin, when Harley get the front and rear tires in line on the 2006 and later models, makes for a better handling bike over-all.
So short of the trans begin changed out on the bike and don't want the evo motor, would be nudged to go with a OEM 6 speed trans, which would put the bike at 2007 or later.
As for the trans themselves, unless your going to see a lot of 80mph plus trips, either trans if fine.
Note, can pull 80mph in third gear on my 5 speed RK, have run at over 120mph at times, so it really comes down to the the 6th gear bike having just a slightly lower final drive in the end when you are running at higher speeds through out the trip really.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,434
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Check the final ratios of the 6 in question, not all were an actual upgrade over 1-1 final drive. What harley did with the engine size increase was change the primary ratio to drop RPMs a bit and give it more legs. The extra gearing and inches balanced any gaps and lugging getting up to speed.