5th Gear Versus 6th Gear
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 408
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From:
5th Gear Versus 6th Gear
It seems odd to me but with my 08Ultra I get better milage cruising in 5th gear than in 6th.
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I normally set the cruise at 70 to 72 and have the \\;Miles Remaining indicator on to kind of monitor what is going on, if I switch from 6th to 5th gear the miles remaining will go up. \\; At 5th gear the bike is doing maybe 3100 RPM or so, in 6th probably in the neighborhood of 2650 to 2700 RPM.
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Could it just be that the \\;engine is struggling \\;a little bit in 6th, but the RPMs are high enough in 5th to be in the Sweet Spot so to speak? \\; It is really noticable in a strong headwind.
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I have a PCIII, SE Mufflers, \\;and a SE Air Filter on the bike now if that makes any difference.
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Thanks for your thoughts, Ride Safe
 \\;
I normally set the cruise at 70 to 72 and have the \\;Miles Remaining indicator on to kind of monitor what is going on, if I switch from 6th to 5th gear the miles remaining will go up. \\; At 5th gear the bike is doing maybe 3100 RPM or so, in 6th probably in the neighborhood of 2650 to 2700 RPM.
 \\;
Could it just be that the \\;engine is struggling \\;a little bit in 6th, but the RPMs are high enough in 5th to be in the Sweet Spot so to speak? \\; It is really noticable in a strong headwind.
 \\;
I have a PCIII, SE Mufflers, \\;and a SE Air Filter on the bike now if that makes any difference.
 \\;
Thanks for your thoughts, Ride Safe
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 85
From: Nevada
RE: 5th Gear Versus 6th Gear
Someone posted something about keeping the revs up and getting better mileage on the 07 and 08 6 speeds. \\; I've been experimenting a bit and the results are somewhat inconclusive. \\; However, it appears it's true. \\;
Staying out of 6th until above 2700rpms on highways, etc seems to improve mileage.
Staying out of 6th until above 2700rpms on highways, etc seems to improve mileage.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
RE: 5th Gear Versus 6th Gear
Counter intuitive, but possible I guess...Although the brain keeps saying NO! \\; Remember 6th on the HD is not the same as 6th on a Baker. \\; Still 1:1 ratio in 6th, and the old 5 speeds were also 1:1. \\; Gearing and sprockets are different. \\; Still, doesn't make sense that's possible.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 63
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From:
RE: 5th Gear Versus 6th Gear
I did the 6spd on my 2000 EG STD and the 96 hop up. \\; Seems to do well above 3K. \\; Headwind is a problem and 5th seems to be the sweet spot. \\; On good day at 80 in 6th seems to be fine as long as radar isn't out issuing tickets.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NH
RE: 5th Gear Versus 6th Gear
I did a gear reduction on my 04 and the milage is slightly better
doing 70mph even though the rpm is 250 higher.
at 80mph,,,the same or worse
My 08 gets better milage when tacking at 3000
I too did not believe the wrench that told me my mileage woulf stay the same or improve.
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[IMG]local://upfiles/61405/5D0460DA3B944BC39BC52AA27A2E651A.jpg[/IMG]
doing 70mph even though the rpm is 250 higher.
at 80mph,,,the same or worse
My 08 gets better milage when tacking at 3000
I too did not believe the wrench that told me my mileage woulf stay the same or improve.
 \\;
[IMG]local://upfiles/61405/5D0460DA3B944BC39BC52AA27A2E651A.jpg[/IMG]
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 296
From: Casa Grande Az
RE: 5th Gear Versus 6th Gear
So does the gear reduction change the trans gear or do you change the sprockets?
I have also noticed that 6th gear is pretty much useless until about 85-90 mph.
I have also noticed that 6th gear is pretty much useless until about 85-90 mph.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Arizona & Europe
RE: 5th Gear Versus 6th Gear
I'm experiencing the same thing on my 08 Ultra. Seems to get better mileage in 5th on windy, hilly raods then on the flat superslab when I put it in 6th gear. I thought maybe it was a break-in thing, but I've got 6,500+ miles and it seems to stay consistent as stated above.
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RE: 5th Gear Versus 6th Gear
+1 here to...noticed it on vaction. \\; Started getting some good MPG when I waited longer to get to 6th. \\; At 80 6th is almost useless. \\; That is about my max most of the time....did some 85-90 on vacation on big long stretches but the rest is 80 an under.
Tourer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
RE: 5th Gear Versus 6th Gear
I've been finding the same thing. I am hardly scientific about it. \\; My riding is mostly country State Roads. \\; I've noticed that when shifting from 5th to 6th it takes a fair amount more throttle to maintain the same speed. \\;