2022 Street Glide ST Auto downshift
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 909
From: SE Michigan
This is important for some new Harley riders to understand.
Just because the indicator on the dash is displaying 4th or 5th gear, does not guarantee the transmission is actually in one of those gears.
As Max mentioned, that indicator is displayed using a mathematical logarithm based on engine RPM and vehicle speed.
There is no actual "switch" in the transmission telling the display what gear the bike is in.
So, with just the right amount of clutch slip and just the right speed, the indicator might display 4th gear but the transmission is actually in 6th.
As you let off the throttle some, the clutch may not slip under load quite as much and the indicator goes back to displaying 5th or 6th gear.
Just because the indicator on the dash is displaying 4th or 5th gear, does not guarantee the transmission is actually in one of those gears.
As Max mentioned, that indicator is displayed using a mathematical logarithm based on engine RPM and vehicle speed.
There is no actual "switch" in the transmission telling the display what gear the bike is in.
So, with just the right amount of clutch slip and just the right speed, the indicator might display 4th gear but the transmission is actually in 6th.
As you let off the throttle some, the clutch may not slip under load quite as much and the indicator goes back to displaying 5th or 6th gear.
One .the gear selector is not an actual device and two, Harley is so cutting edge they use new technology called logarithm.
Which, I believe .is the next generation algorithm.
Sorry Rolla I know I was beat to the punch on that joke, but I still thought it was funny
Frankly, thats interesting and I didnt know it wasnt a mechanical device driving the gear indicator.
Its too bad this guy got piled on, because most likely his clutch is slipping and he probably thought, like most, it was a mechanical gear indicator.
Now, if only he only had the right oil in the bike..this wouldnt happen.
(first coffee joke not my best material).
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
I hope he doesn't take some of the ribbing too serious.
My response was intended to explain how what he describes can actually happen without the bike really doing what he thinks it was.
I hope he comes back and gives an update to what the dealer found.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 2,134
From: W. Texas
Hope he will show back up.
Nah he didn't get it bad as I've seen either.
WP
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 67
Likes: 13
From: Arkansas
I have a 2016 Road Glide Ultra and this exact same thing recently started happening to me. I came here in hopes of finding someone else with a similar issue, and a possible solution. But instead all i see is a bunch of comedians giving the guy a hard time and no solutions. I hate taking my bikes to the dealership and prefer to do my own work, but this issue has me stumped. So if anybody has any real ideas, please speak up.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,068
Likes: 5,320
I have a 2016 Road Glide Ultra and this exact same thing recently started happening to me. I came here in hopes of finding someone else with a similar issue, and a possible solution. But instead all i see is a bunch of comedians giving the guy a hard time and no solutions. I hate taking my bikes to the dealership and prefer to do my own work, but this issue has me stumped. So if anybody has any real ideas, please speak up.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 766
From: MS
I have a 2016 Road Glide Ultra and this exact same thing recently started happening to me. I came here in hopes of finding someone else with a similar issue, and a possible solution. But instead all i see is a bunch of comedians giving the guy a hard time and no solutions. I hate taking my bikes to the dealership and prefer to do my own work, but this issue has me stumped. So if anybody has any real ideas, please speak up.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7,880
Likes: 4,441
From: Texas
