I'll have to look next time I ride and see just what rpms mine reads at 55. It's right at 2,400 rpms at 60mph indicated, so I'd guess it'll still be a little above 2,000 at 55. I'll check.

There's been some mention about "keeping it in the powerband" in this thread. I'm personally usually out riding for the enjoyment of it, to "smell the roses", as they sometimes say, not to pass everything in sight. I simply don't need all the power the engine can make, or anything close to that, normally. So I tend to stay at the low end of the powerband intentionally. I don't lug, but keeping rpms low is a good thing, for several reasons; it minimizes wear on internal moving parts, as well as minimizing noise and heat. It's not hard to hear if the engine is happy.

And not to confuse the issue any more than it already is, let's acknowledge when we're tossing all these speeds around here, that a the speedo on a stock bike is almost guaranteed to be reading too high. Mine reads 4mph too high at 60mph. So, if I'm riding in 6th gear and indicating 60 mph, I really only going 56 actual mph. Wonder if HD took that into account when they published the gear change speed table in the manual.

 

Ignore - I clicked the quote button instead of the edit button (again)

 

I really missed a tack at first on my RK at first.... it would still be nice, but I now feel really good with finding and feeling what the motor likes, and especially feel the harmonics of the motor. A 6th gear would be nice in the future, but not enough reason to dump a great RK.... so till then I am a happy camper with lots of reason to enjoy my Harley...

Hogback

 

Don't use 6th gear until 70-75mph.. just because you have 6 gears doesn't mean you have to shift all the way thru them everytime....geez...your right up there with the guy that doesn't know how to remove his saddlebags.

 

Yep a bit arrogant, sorry, didn't mean to go there.
I've read so many posts about this and I've read my manual and I've learned not to lug my motor as best that I can. I try to make sure to be close to the right rpm's before shifting up and I shift down when needed.
On a few occassions I've been asked "How's that 6 speed, do you have to downshift on hills?" I'll reply "sometimes I do" in amazement that someone would think that you can just ride in 6th once it's there and forget about it.
I like my bike to be in the power range so it's responsive, especially in traffic so I don't see 6th gear until I hit the highway anyway.
Again, didn't mean to offend, Ya'll ride safe in whatever gear ya choose!

 

I got one of the first Ultras last August and was not very impressed at first. The gear ratios are not well matched to the new engine IMO and the performance of the engine was not what I had hoped for as compared to my 05 Road King Custom.
The shop installed a race tuner, screamin eagle slip ons and an new air cleaner. The bike was like a new bike and the performance went way up along with the driveability. 6th gear was now usable on flat ground and in the foothills riding one up. I still believe that the gear ratios are too high for a touring bike with its weight. I then had the shop install the Harley 103 warranty kit with cams and the bike is a lot better except for the gearing issue.
Baker has a 6F6 kit for the tranny and he recomends a smaller pulley (1 tooth) on the tranny and a shorter belt from Harley. This is supposed to increase the engine RPM by 200 in 6th gear. I believe this will solve a lot of the lugging issues people have by reducing the load on the engine in all gears at all RPM. This is a long stroke engine that should lug better than a 88 and it does not because it is impropperly matched to the tranny.
On my last road trip we went 850 km in one day and we went thru the mountains with the temperature ranging from 45 degrees to about 90 degrees and the bike ran great just don't use 6th gear unless on flat ground or down hill. The clatter and lack of power sucks. I ran mostley in 5thgear and my mileage was about 54 mpg. That is with an imperial gallon not american.
The5th gear whine is awful on mybike and the clatter in 4th and 6th sucks as well. When the bike is cool it makes little noise at all but when it reaches operating temp it is really annoying. The first hour of any long trip I really enjoy my bike but again stay out of 6th.
My bike runs 2600 rpm at 100km per hour or about 62mph in 5th gear.

I have to say that the dealer and Harley have been great to this point and I am very satisfied with the progress we have made.
I am having the IDS installed and am adding the JRS Originals to help with the heat.

Later.....

 

I don't have the 6-speed, nor a tach, on my 06 Road King. But I do believe that an experienced rider can listen to their engine and probably figure out rather easily had gear will be best for any given situation. I seems to me that having 6 speeds or even 5, doesn't mean you absolutely have to use every gear up to the last one. For example, often when riding with the Patriot Guard, there are times when I never make it into 5th gear. Just have to listen to the engine rpms - and that way won't lug the motor.

Hack

 

Not just my opinion. A good friend who is an engine builder (cars bikes whatever) drilled this into my head years ago. My dad rode for 60+ years and his dad before him and Tom Sifton (family friend) told them not to lug a Harley engine. So that's how I was taught. It only makes sense, an engine of that configuration is made to run 2500-3500 rpm in their optimum(spl/chk) range.
The only 6 spd I've ridden was a demo Street Glide. I agree, I would not use 6th until 70 mph.

My Heritage averages 40 mpg by the way.

 

Buy an A/C, Pipes and a Tuning box...You`ll be able to use 6th gear as early as 60 MPH. Other than that...Tour lugging your motor.

 

Actually Snort said what had to he said although he did it with a little too much avaris. All this talk about gears/speed/engine lugging is pointless. You shift as the powerband starts to flatten and you CAN feel that. No, you don't wind it out like a Jap bike, but you KNOW when it's time to shift. At highway speed you can tell when the engine is happy. No need for tach's or a finite shift instruction in a manual. Just get to know your ride and you will know when to do what. Kinda like the girlfriend--once you get to know her, you know when to shift :-).